Posted on 11/21/2007 11:37:41 AM PST by JZelle
NEW YORK — An abstract masterpiece by a Mexican artist that was found in the trash by a woman who knew little about modern art has been sold for more than $1 million.
The painting "Tres Personajes" by Rufino Tamayo was discovered in 2003 by Elizabeth Gibson, who spotted it on her morning walk on Manhattan's Upper West Side. She said she took it home because "even though I didn't understand it, I knew it had power."
The brightly colored abstract work was purchased for $1,049,000 by an unidentified private American collector bidding by phone at Sotheby's Latin American Art sale Tuesday night.
Gibson spent four years trying to find out about the painting, finally discovering on the "Antiques Roadshow" Web site that it had been featured on the popular PBS program and described as a missing masterpiece stolen in 1989.
Gibson has received a $15,000 reward for turning in "Tres Personajes" and also will get a percentage of the sale price.
Painted in 1970, "Tres Personajes" was purchased by a Houston collector for $55,000 as a gift for his wife at a Sotheby's auction in 1977. Ten years later, as the couple was moving to a new home, it was stolen from storage.
The husband has since died, and the widow, who wished to remain anonymous, decided to sell it.
Tamayo was born in 1899 and died in 1991. His early work has similarities to that of famed 20th century muralist Diego Rivera. His later work features the vivid colors and expressions of his native state of Oaxaca.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
I can see why it was in the garbage..............
I’m glad I don’t get it. It’s a very expensive hobby. I’ll stick with collecting NFL mini helmets.
I like it!
I found a painting by a Mexican artist in the trash once........I wonder how much Elvis on Black Velvet is worth?....................
I wonder if Debbie (I’ve never seen a piece of wood that won’t look better painted) Travis was doing one of her redecorating shows and tossed that piece out.
For $1.049 Million you can have it..............
That is an awesome picture. Not a million dollars perhaps, but it’s way better than anything submitted for the Turner prize.
Our local Albertson’s has them for 1.99 each...........But I can’t find Dallas, or Steelers...............
My father in law found a historic painting of Sam Houston in the trash 50 years ago. I don’t think it is worth anywhere close to a million dollars but it is hanging over my fireplace now and we love it.
And the thief didn’t get the money.
Elvis on Black Velvet is the first thing that came to my mind when I saw this painting.
Cordially,
Wow! Were these the Pocket Pros which are a little larger than the ones from the machine, or the ones that are about the size of a fist?
Does the Turner prize even go to paintings anymore? Or just sliced up animals and rooms with a lightswitch?
Cool. You’d do even better to have a full length portrait photograph. There is only one known example and it is in the MFA Houston’s collection.
Most likely a good investment.
About the size of a child’s fist.........
This painting was painted in 1906 so it was painted from a photograph, maybe the one you are talking about. Sam is seated at a table and has his legs crossed. He is holding a newspaper and there is an early map of Texas on the wall behind him. There is one in the same pose hanging in the Houston Courthouse.
I’d like to see the photograph in the MFAH.
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