Unknown Whereabouts for 80 Years

For nearly eight decades, a painting attributed to N.C. Wyeth, a prominent figure in the Wyeth family of painters, remained lost to the art world. However, a seemingly serendipitous Facebook post has led to the exciting rediscovery of the artwork.

A Thrift Store Find with Remarkable Potential

In 2017, an antiques enthusiast stumbled upon a painting with what appeared to be N.C. Wyeth’s signature at a thrift store. What started as a jest about the $4 purchase potentially being an authentic Wyeth work quickly transformed into a serious possibility. Now, the painting is poised to make a significant mark at a Bonhams Skinner auction, with estimates reaching up to $250,000.

Unveiling the Unexpected Origins

Experts at Hindman Skinner revealed that the painting was unknowingly acquired by an anonymous consignor at a Savers thrift store in Manchester, New Hampshire. It had been nestled against a wall amid a collection of mostly damaged posters and prints, largely overlooked until its rediscovery.

A Journey Unveiled

The newfound owner initially displayed the artwork in her bedroom for years before stowing it away in a closet. The turning point came in May, when cleaning led her to the painting once again. This time, she shared images of the artwork on a Facebook group called “Things Found in Walls,” a platform dedicated to revealing hidden treasures and curiosities.

Curator Confirms Authenticity

The Facebook post attracted attention and eventually reached Lauren Lewis, a former curator with expertise in the Wyeth family’s work. Upon an in-person examination of the painting, Lewis expressed strong confidence that the piece was indeed authentic. Christine Podmaniczky, a curator at the Brandywine River Museum of Art, also endorsed the likelihood of the painting’s originality.

Uncovering a Historical Connection

N.C. Wyeth was known for creating cover art for periodicals and novels. The painting that’s set to go under the hammer is one of four that Wyeth completed for a 1939 edition of Helen Hunt Jackson’s book “Ramona,” originally published in 1884. The artwork captures the titular character alongside her elderly foster mother, with a statue of a religious figure standing between them. The rarity of the piece adds to its significance, as only one other such painting has been recovered.

An Auction Anticipated

With the Wyeth family’s artistic legacy in mind, the upcoming auction is generating substantial excitement. The record-breaking sale of Andrew Wyeth’s “Day Dream” for $20 million during Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen’s collection sale at Christie’s New York serves as a testament to the family’s market appeal.

As the rediscovered N.C. Wyeth painting prepares to enter the auction scene, it carries not only an estimated value but also the weight of history and artistic heritage.

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