Rags to Riches Painting

A noteworthy 19^th century religious painting by Ary Scheffer, entitled Christus Consolator was recently discovered in a janitor’s closet of the Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Dassel, Minnesota. According to news sources, it had been stored there mixed in with a pile of religious reproduction decorative prints but now resides in the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, making it a fairy tale ending for this Cinderella art story.

The painting was discovered by Rev. Steven Olson after it had gone unnoticed for nearly 70 years. Olson then contacted a couple of resources including the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, and the curator Patrick Noon among others researched the piece, discovering that the painting was entirely down in Ary Scheffer's hand. The provenance was also traced to previous owners, including a wealthy man from Boston, named William Bullard who had a friend that studied in Scheffer's studio in Paris, and later to his son, Francis. After Francis Bullard's death, the painting was presumably consigned to a New York City gallery where it was then purchased by Rev. Richard Hillstrohm and eventually brought to Dassel, Minnesota.

The painting was appraised for $35,000.00 and the Gethsemane Lutheran Church pondered the idea of housing the piece in the church but decided after consulting with various insurance companies that it would be better suited among the other 19th century paintings in the Minneapolis Institute of Arts.

There is a valuable lesson in the discovery of the Ary Scheffer painting at the Minnesota church. In the simplest terms, the phrase, "one man's trash is another man's treasure" sums it all up. At MIR Appraisal Services, Inc., many potential customers call our office daily seeking information on an artwork or decorative item that they have found in their basement, attic, garage or junk closet. To the novice, it can be confusing to determine whether or not an art object is worth anything. It is always best to consult with professionals when dealing with an item that is in a fragile state and that could be of significant value. Even if the piece was disregarded previously, doesn't mean that it's not of value.

One should not mess with their health or wealth. Just as you would review your doctor's credentials prior to receiving medical treatment, it is important to do the same with your art appraiser. It is important to work with an art appraiser that has credentials from organizations such as the International Society of Appraisers and/or the American Society of Appraisers. Members of these organizations follow strict ethical guidelines in the work that they do.

~ MIR Appraisal Services, Inc.

307 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 308

Chicago, IL 60601

Phone: (312) 814-8510

Frames Affect the Overall Value of an Artwork

Period picture frames add more than just a perspective of style or an aesthetic statement to a painting or print. In many cases, they add a great deal of value…

A client came into our appraisal office in Chicago for a verbal fair market evaluation of a small, oil on canvas, painting by an unknown artist from the late 19th century. It was mounted in a striking period frame manufactured by the same company that created frames for better known artists of the day. And although the painting was lovely in its own right, much of the monetary value its possessed was derived from its frame.

In Edward P. LaBlue’s essay, How Period Frames Are Affecting the Value of Paintings, published in Currier’s Price Guide to European Artists 1545-1945 at Auction, he examines the demand for period frames and their affect on auction records of unknown artists. LaBlue further reports on obscure paintings with period frames noting that “prices realized at auction for the work of many obscure artists were much higher than one would expect- sometimes two to three times the projected estimates.” This raises an eyebrow when examining past auction records because it is not always documented whether or not a painting is framed, leaving much to consider on the true monetary value of an artwork.

Although many period frames hold more value than the painting it contains, many of these frames serve as an important element of the artwork. According to Gestalt Theory, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. This theory is often applied to design elements, and holds merit when addressing certain works of art and their frames. For example, many painters in the late 19th century viewed their frames as important elements of their artwork as a whole and worked individually with their frame-maker to achieve the appropriate style, thus enhancing the overall artwork.

So, the moral of the story is to consider various value possibilities regarding your framed artworks. A certain old painting that you found in your attic or basement may not have much monetary value but its frame might boost its value or be a valuable piece of art in its own right.

It’s always best to consult with a qualified professional appraiser, so give us a call (312) 814-8510!

~MIR Appraisal Services, Inc.

Works cited:

Currier, William T. "How Period Frames Are Affecting the Value of Paintings!" Currier's Price Guide to European Artists 1545-1945 at Auction. Brockton: Currier Publications, 1991.