A DRAWING PURCHASED FOR JUST $30 AT A YARD SALE IS ACTUALLY WORTH MORE THAN $10 MILLION

Tue 08 February 2022:

A drawing by Albrecht Durer bought at a yard sale for $30 proved to be worth over $10 million.

Known as the “The Virgin and Child,” this drawing has been “the subject of significant interest since its rediscovery,” as per Agnews Gallery, the London auction house in possession of the artwork.

The Dürer artwork, titled “The Virgin and Child,” is rare, as art collectors and experts note that it has been difficult to find any pieces of his work, even though the artist, who died in 1528, and his career have been examined heavily. This drawing in particular has been “the subject of significant interest since its rediscovery,” the Agnews Gallery, the London auction house that currently has the artwork, said in a press release. The piece’s estimated value is $10 million, said Boston-based art collector Clifford Schorer.

“Generally speaking it’s an inverse relationship between how dramatic the claim is and how much of a let down it is. “[For example] if someone tells me they have a Leonardo [da Vinci], I’m usually pretty confident I’m going to see some images that are unimpressive,” said Schorer.

“It was like [experiencing] a kind of electricity. When you’re in my world you spend your life looking for unknown things that lead to fascinating research avenues… and I could see I was at the beginning of something extremely exciting,” Schorer said.

Born in Nuremberg, Dürer established his reputation and influence across Europe in his twenties due to his high-quality woodcut prints.

His vast body of work includes altarpieces and religious works, numerous portraits and self-portraits, and copper engravings.

“It’s probably fair to say he’s one of the greatest graphic designers that ever lived, a pioneer in engraving and drawing. He was a maestro in black and white, and his famous prints … inspired artists all over the world.”

“In terms of relative value, I think you have to compare it to other old master drawings,” Schorer said.

Durer revolutionised printmaking, elevating it to the level of an independent art form. He is regarded as the greatest German Renaissance artist.

In March of 2021, a man spent $35 on a bowl at yard sale in Connecticut, only to later realize he had purchased a Chinese artifact worth more than $700,000.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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