Additional Coverage:
- ‘Antiques Roadshow’ guest struggles to breathe after expert revealed the value of her oil portrait (marketrealist.com)
A painting tucked away in storage unveiled a stunning surprise for a woman on “Antiques Roadshow,” leaving her breathless. The artwork, an oil portrait of a Native American woman, had been a fixture in her husband’s family for generations, a gift from the Carnegie family to her father-in-law in 1946. While familiar with the painting, the woman admitted she’d forgotten about it until recently and was even surprised to rediscover it was a portrait of a woman.
Appraiser Tony Abeyta quickly identified the piece’s significance. The original frame and pristine condition hinted at its value. He noted the subject was likely a Taos Indian, reflecting the influence of the Taos Art Colony, popular with artists around 1900, the estimated date of the painting.
Abeyta’s expertise truly shone when he identified the artist, Joseph Henry Sharp, a prominent figure in Taos Indian art. Sharp’s signature, hidden behind dust on the canvas, confirmed Abeyta’s suspicions.
The appraisal left the guest speechless and teary-eyed. Abeyta estimated the painting’s value between $50,000 and $70,000, far exceeding her expectations. The unexpected windfall added a new chapter to the painting’s rich history, proving that sometimes, treasures are found closest to home.