Update on my painting Sotheby's is going to auction

[bif]

https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/auction/2021/modern-and-contemporary-south-asian-art?locale=en

It's #47. When you click on it, there's a ton of info about the painting and the painter.

[FalloutShelter]

1. WOW... good luck Mark.

Fingers crossed for a high-end bid.

[bif]

3. The bad news is...

Christies recently put up four of his paintings for auction and only one sold. But the way I figure it, if it sells for $150, I'm ahead! I only paid $100 for it back in 1980.

[FalloutShelter]

4. Fingers crossed, Buddy.

[mopinko]

8. yeah, but this one has a great story.

dont think that doesnt help.

[elias7]

11. $150? The est. is 300,000-500,000 GBP

[PatrickforB]

18. Yeah I was just tripping on that. He could be looking at a cool six figures.

I hope so!

[Sienna86]

2. Congratulations. Beautiful painting.

I’ve always followed your movie recommendations. This is a side of you I did not know. Very happy for the recognition of your fabulous work.

[bif]

5. I didn't paint it

It's by an Indian painter, F.N. Souza from 1955.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

6. Wow, my dear bif! Fascinating painting with a fascinating history and story!

Is that you in the photo with a lady and the painting in the background?

Best of luck in the auction!

[bif]

9. That's my wife and her late father

From the early 1980s.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

10. OK! Thanks for the info. ♥

[sinkingfeeling]

7. Wow.

[fierywoman]

12. FASCINATING!!!

Beautiful painting and story -- thanks for sharing. May Sothebys bring in it's estimate for you -- or even more!

[UpInArms]

13. I love this story

am so happy for you and so grateful there is a world where art is appreciated

[Lisa0825]

14. So did you instantly know what it was when you found it?

Or just have a hunch?

[bif]

22. I didn't know a thing about the artist when I bought it.

And honestly, I don't think he was well known until more recently. I just liked the painting so I bought it. $100 bucks wasn't a lot of money, even back then. My wife was never a big fan of it and so it's been in our basement for 30 years.

I've mentioned before, we recently had a huge flood in our basement. As we were emptying it out, she actually suggested we just put it outside on our patio and just enjoy it. The heck with the elements! That's when I mentioned to her to at least let me do some digging into it and the artist. When I noticed some of his work was selling in the thousands, that's when I contacted Sotheby's and Christies.

[Lisa0825]

24. What a great surprise! I hope it sells for big $$! :-)

[Auggie]

15. LOVE that piece

I imagine its difficult to part with.

[bif]

23. I've always loved it

But honestly, it's been in our basement for 30 years. And now that I know how much it may be worth, I'm not sure I'd want to pay the insurance on it! Plus it's a fairly big piece and we just don't have much wall space--we live in a pretty modest house.

[bucolic_frolic]

16. You're an inspiration

An acquaintance has a landscape from the 1970s. It's quite good, but not signed, and they can't remember the name. Artist is very likely deceased as was retirement age 40 years ago. I keep suggesting they try some art schools or dealers at the locale to try to authenticate it based on style or technique, but they don't think it's worth much. I say maybe 10 times that because I see ads offering to buy 1960s art around here.

To your knowledge does Sotheby's get into more local markets, or just artists of international fame?

[bif]

20. Sorry I can't help you

I really don't know that much about Sotheby's. I imagine they go for the big names, but I could be wrong.

[bucolic_frolic]

21. Thanks anyway

I'll check them out online, I think they have offices in some major cities.

[kpete]

17. So Cool

Reminds me of Klee
You rock bif!

peace,
kp

[MLAA]

19. Super cool! Good luck!

[Fresh_Start]

25. fingers crossed for your good fortune

great story and great eye.

[lunatica]

26. Congratulations!

And I hope you have the best of luck!