A Pablo Picasso painting that mysteriously vanished in early October during transport between Madrid and Granada has been recovered, Spanish police announced Friday. The discovery brings a happy ending to what authorities described as a bizarre and unusual case that had puzzled investigators.

The artwork disappeared at the beginning of October while it was being transferred from Madrid to Granada, sparking concerns about theft or loss of the valuable piece. The disappearance initially raised serious questions about security protocols during the transportation of priceless artworks between Spanish cities.

According to police investigations, the painting may never have actually been loaded onto the transport truck that was supposed to carry it to its destination. This revelation suggests that the "disappearance" was likely the result of a logistical error rather than criminal activity, though the exact circumstances surrounding the mix-up remain unclear.

The recovery of the Picasso work highlights ongoing challenges in the art world regarding the secure transportation and tracking of valuable paintings and sculptures. Spanish authorities have not yet released additional details about where exactly the painting was found or how the transportation error occurred.