Sometimes a family heirloom that was forgotten turns out to be worth much more than anyone could have imagined. A 100-year-old painting of Texas bluebonnets that was almost thrown out with donations headed for Goodwill turned out to be a valuable piece of American art. A sentimental family heirloom turned out to be something of a surprise for its owners, who sold it at auction for $112,500, bringing new attention to the legacy of celebrated Texas painter Julian Onderdonk.Painting saved by last-minute decisionCBS News and The Washington Post reported that the painting was a gift to Carlotta Preston from a distant relative to mark her birth in 1922. The work, finished a year earlier, was kept by the family for decades, with no one identifying its artistic or monetary value.The painting was almost lost when the family moved from California to Washington state. When relatives helped Preston clear out her belongings in preparation for retirement, several items were loaded onto a trailer to be donated to Goodwill. One of them was the bluebonnet artwork. But Preston changed his mind at the last minute and kept it for its looks.After her death, the painting was hanging in the home of her daughter near Tacoma, Washington.
Texas family's rescued bluebonnet painting sells for $112,500 at auction
In brief
Sometimes a family heirloom that was forgotten turns out to be worth much more than anyone could have imagined. A 100-year-old painting of Texas bluebonnets that was almost thrown out with donations headed for Goodwill turned out to be a valuable piece of American art. The work, finished a year earlier, was kept by the family for decades, with no one identifying its artistic or monetary value.The painting was almost lost when the family moved from California to Washington state.
This is the opening of the story, shared with credit to The Times of India — World. The rest of the report — with every detail — continues on the publisher’s website.
Continue reading at The Times of India — World ↗
