Just discovered a painting I have may be worth a small fortune!

[bif]

Some thirty odd years ago, my mom was involved in doing art auctions to raise money for a local hospital. After one show, she was stuck with several paintings and prints that went unsold. One intrigued me and I bought it and hung on to it over the years. My wife never really liked it and so it sat in our basement for years. Well, we had some major flooding over the weekend, so I dragged it out. It got a little wet but no real damage. It's a large painting on masonite. My wife said maybe we should just put it out on the patio and leave it to the elements. So I did a little research.

The painting is by F.N. Souza. Tons of info on Wikipedia and other sources. One of his paintings is in the Tate and they've been sold by Southeby's and Christies. It's a dark painting of a bunch of churches. It looks like Prague to me. Well, it turns out his work goes from anywhere from $13,000 up to $200,000! I'm not making this up! A friend suggested I take it to a local gallery and have it cleaned. Then approach a NY house and see how much it's worth.

[Laf.La.Dem.]

1. WOW - Dream big!!

Need help spending this new money - just let me know - good luck

[Marthe48]

2. Identify and Value My Paintings group on Facebook

You have to ask to join. You post pictures of the front and back, close-up of the signature, dimensions. Close-up of brushwork is helpful, too. The artwork has to belong to you, and no buying or selling.

The group has been very helpful to me since I joined. Highly recommend

[bif]

5. Unfortunately, I don't do FB

I quit several years ago.

[WhiteTara]

19. thanks.

I just applied to the group. I have a painting that may or may not be worth money. The artist is very famous and is sold in high end auctions and galleries. So here's hoping.

[Marthe48]

22. You're welcome!

Several of the members are really good at dechipering the signatures And I've gotten information about art that I own, such as value, age, information about the artist, or the technique used.

[CurtEastPoint]

3. Wow! What a find! He has some interesting works! Good luck!

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

4. Your friend is spot on.

I bought a painting from a local artist about 15 years ago. Recently there was an article in the paper about a local artist, and my painting looks a lot like the ones pictured. Mine does not seem to be signed, so I'm not entirely sure, although since it's a local artist, that would probably be easy to nail down.

[bif]

7. This painter is from Goa, India

And he lived from 1924 to 2002. My painting is signed and dated 1955.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

17. Thanks for that info.

My painter is still alive, some ten years younger than I am. Perhaps 50 years from now my painting will be valuable.

I don't recall what I paid for it, perhaps about $100, maybe less. I just looked her up, Emmi Whitehorse, and right now it looks like her works go from about $800 to $1,500. She has a very distinctive style which I like.

[Rabrrrrrr]

24. I just looked her up - beautiful work! Very Miro inspired.

Her art is easy and compelling to look at. If I were at the gallery I found her right now, I'd be going home with something.

[Nictuku]

6. What a great story!

I'm glad to hear you will take it to a gallery for cleaning, the worst thing you could do would be if you end up lowering its value by having it cleaned improperly.

[ChazInAz]

8. For restoration

Contact Baumgartner in Chicago. He's very good.

[MLAA]

9. I'd talk to Sotheby's or Christie's before cleaning.

Just because a gallery is a gallery doesn’t always mean they have or know the best cleaning/restoration specialists. Crossing my fingers it is worth a boatload of $$$$$!

[multigraincracker]

16. You can go online to Sotheby's and 'Christie's and

they are more than happy to evaluate it and give you a pre-auction estimate. I've done it a few times and found them very helpful. Just need to send them lots of photos and description. They will tell you about restoring it too.

[CrispyQ]

10. Great story!

Good luck!

Many, many years ago I read a story about someone who bought an odd looking ceramic pot at a yard sale for $10 & later found out it was a Picasso valued at $40K.

[cilla4progress]

11. Keep us

Posted!

[brush]

12. Be very careful who you have clean it. Do much research as...

incompetent restorers/cleaners can cause much damage.

Call a reputable art appariaser for value and advice on cleaning and whether it's a good idea.

[LakeArenal]

13. 👍🏼🤞🏼🥂🌈🍀💫💰💸💵🎉💕

[modrepub]

14. Make Sure Your Insurance Covers It

I wouldn't get it cleaned before the appraisal and I'd get it appraised as soon as possible. I know from coin collecting that cleaning old coins can reduce their value. Best of luck.

[Blue Dawn]

21. Yes!

I learned this the hard way. Cleaning can definitely reduce the value.

It can always be cleaned at a later date. If I were you, I would get an appraisal before doing anything else.

Just my two cents' worth!......

And good luck! I am hoping it is worth big bucks!!!

[shenmue]

15. Wowsers.

[happybird]

18. Nice!

As an Antiques Roadshow junkie, this makes my heart sing!
Please keep us updated on your progress with appraisal and restoration!

[Larissa]

27. It's like an "Roadshow" episode

Some of the folks who bring in works of art that they've had in the attic for ages, come close to passing out when they find out what it's worth.

[Bayard]

20. I'd certainly like to hear what you find out

Go fer it!

[elleng]

23. Exciting!

May I suggest, don't clean it yourself; THEY'll do it, if deemed necessary.

P.S., if near NYC and interested, lemme know; family friends are in the framing and restoring business.

[ZonkerHarris]

25. If you are not in desperate need of the money right now I suggest...

not selling it.
Get it appraised and insured.
Then, instead of selling it right away, look to a quality local museum you can LOAN it to that will exhibit it.
Regardless of what's it's worth now, exhibiting it in a museum will add to the provenance and value.
Let it spend a few years in public view, gaining fans along the way, and then down the road you can sell it when you really need the money.

[Percy]

26. That's wonderful. Congratulations!

If I may give you some advice ... and I am an artist, please do not take it to the local gallery for cleaning! Many a work has been destroyed by well intentioned but inexperienced art restoration projects.

Just contact the major auction houses first and get their advice and recommendations. If you want to have it cleaned they will know who's best suited to restore the work taking into consideration when it was painted, where, which substrate was used, which paints and where they came from.

Or perhaps there is a Souza historic or preservation society?

Good luck on the adventure!

[NullTuples]

28. I would highly check in regarding the value *BEFORE* having it cleaned.

And then if it's worth it I'd use a place they recommend.

[TeamProg]

29. Let us know how it works out!

[lunatica]

30. Wow! What a kick!

Definitely have it appraised!

[BadGimp]

31. Best of luck!

[bif]

32. Thanks for all your suggestions!

I'm going to photograph it and let Christies and Southeby's appraise it. I'll keep you posted when I learn anything.

[brush]

33. So what did it sell for? I know the house takes its cut off the top.

Last edited Tue Oct 26, 2021, 01:54 PM - Edit history (1)

[bif]

34. L750

[brush]

36. Whoa. That's major. Congradulations.

[Owl]

37. What does L750 mean?

[bif]

38. 750,000 pounds

[Owl]

39. Wow!! Congrats!

[barbtries]

35. I'm just replying today

because I had not caught this the first time and just to say very happy for you, well done!

[elleng]

40. Great story!

Family friend, framer and restorer in NYC:

https://books.google.com/books?id=EqgsQURQXDgC&pg=PA13&lpg=PA13&dq=Shar+Sisto&source=bl&ots=mFdShy0sub&sig=ACfU3U0PXShafiXIWEY7f1wfUcSepmMHsQ&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjCtpSn8u3zAhWQmOAKHR1KDJUQ6AF6BAgdEAM#v=onepage&q=Shar%20Sisto&f=false

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lowy_Frame_and_Restoring_Company