Hidden Treasure: Woman Discovers N.C. Wyeth Painting at Thrift Store for $4 USD
Bonhams Skinner, a prestigious auction house, has estimated that the artwork is likely to fetch between $150,000 and $250,000 USD.
In the world of thrift store treasures, it's not every day that someone stumbles upon a genuine masterpiece. However, a woman in New Hampshire recently had the thrill of a lifetime when she uncovered a dusty painting that experts have confirmed to be an original work by the renowned American painter and illustrator, N.C. Wyeth. Known for his masterful use of light and color, Wyeth's legacy includes iconic works like "The Last of the Mohicans" (1826) and "Treasure Island" (1883).
The incredible discovery unfolded at a Savers store, where the astute buyer acquired the artwork for an astonishingly modest $4 USD. Surprisingly, the painting slipped from her memory until a recent cleaning spree at home brought it back into her life. It was during a closer examination that she recognized the potential significance of the piece, leading her to seek the expertise of Lauren Lewis, an arts conservator from Maine.
For art enthusiasts and collectors, stumbling upon such hidden gems is nothing short of a dream come true. Lauren Lewis herself expressed the sentiment, stating, "It's everybody's dream," in response to finding a masterpiece through humble means.
The mystery surrounding the painting's journey to Savers remains unsolved, as does the question of which work it was originally created for. However, Lewis has a compelling theory. She believes that N.C. Wyeth may have painted this particular piece for Helen Hunt Jackson's 1939 novel, "Ramona." The novel tells the story of a fictional woman of Scottish and Native American heritage, orphaned after the Mexican-American War.
Now that the painting's true value has been uncovered, it's preparing for a new chapter in its history. Bonhams Skinner, a prestigious auction house, has estimated that the artwork is likely to fetch between $150,000 and $250,000 USD when it goes under the hammer on September 19.
Lauren Lewis hopes that the painting will find its way into a collection that appreciates its historical and artistic significance, even suggesting the possibility of it being lent to a museum or, ideally, donated to one. This extraordinary discovery not only highlights the unpredictable nature of treasure hunting in thrift stores but also serves as a reminder that art can be found in the most unexpected of places, just waiting for its moment to shine.
Written by Alex Pal (@palopitos)
