Priceless Renaissance Masterpiece Discovered in Elderly Woman's Bedroom Shakes Up Auction World
A Valuable Painting Is Spotted
In 2022, Siobhan Tyrrell, Dawsons' head of valuations, found a pleasant surprise when she entered a 90-year-old's bedroom in a North London bungalow. Having gone to the house at the urging of the family, Tyrrell was shocked when she spotted the 16th-century masterpiece, The Depiction of the Madonna and Child, allegedly by a follower of Filippino Lippi, hanging on the bedroom wall, Newsweek reported. The family had no clue about the value of the artwork, stating that it was a piece their sick mother got in inheritance. Thereafter, Tyrrell arranged for the painting to go into auction in May, and the masterpiece fetched a staggering £255,000 ($310,542).
The 16th-Century Religious Painting
Tyrell visited the North London Bungalow with the objective of valuation as per the statement released by the Dawsons' auction house. The head of valuations was invited to the house by the woman's family who were trying to raise funds for her stay at a living facility, Newsweek reported. The woman had been suffering from dementia and to facilitate care of good quality for her, the family needed more funds, which they were hoping would come their way through the valuation. Tyrell went through the entire property, but could not find anything eye-catching. Her expectations were low when she stepped into the woman's bedroom and was taken aback, seeing The Depiction of the Madonna and Child placed in such a nonchalant manner on the wall. "I was amazed to see this beautiful, 16th-century religious painting, something you don't often see on your typical valuation, so it was just flabbergasting," Tyrell reminisced.
The Depiction of the Madonna and Child
The family stated that the painting belonged to the 90-year-old woman, who came to London from Italy in her youth, as per the statement released by the Auction house. The painting came into her ownership, after her father's death. Since then, the Renaissance creation has been in her possession. The painting featured Mother Mary with Baby Jesus, as they are being flanked by two angels. Filippino Lippi, whose follower has been speculated to be the painter behind the masterpiece by the auction house was also from Italy, The National Gallery reported.
A Masterpiece Is Auctioned
One look at the painting and Tyrell knew that it was a masterpiece, according to the statement by the auction house. "I'm not a painting specialist, however as a General Valuer with over 25 years of experience, I recognized that it was an exceptional work from the 16th century," she further explained. The head of valuations quickly rushed to the family and told them about the potential high value, associated with the painting. The family agreed to her offer of putting the painting in the auction house's fine art sale. The painting ended up being sold for £255,000 ($310,542).
Painting Saves the Day
The family's objective of providing improved care and accommodation to make the woman's life more comfortable was completed satisfactorily by the money they received through the sale, as per the auction house. "As a direct result of the incredible sale price achieved for our vendor, she will not have to worry about her ongoing and costly nursing care – much to the relief of her family," the statement added. The auction house concluded their update by regarding the painting as a 'godsend' for the family, since its chance spotting helped them to take care of their matriarch.