In January, Heidi Markow, who runs Salvage Goods Antiques in Easton, Pennsylvania, bid on a collector’s auction in Montgomery County. One of the items that attracted her was a 17.5-by-16.5-inch charcoal sketch of a woman. She listened to her instincts and told her partner to place a bid. To her amazement, he won the piece for a mere $12, as well as two other pieces at the same amount.
When she brought the drawing home, Markow spotted a subtle signature, the diligent state of the frame, and the paper’s quality. She thought the piece could be an original work of French Impressionist Pierre-Auguste Renoir. A stamp in the back explained that the painting had been brought into the United States by an upscale dealer and sold to an influential art collector, which served to confirm her suspicion.
Markow is convinced the sketch is of Aline Charigot, Renoir’s wife, and was done in the late 1800s when he was in his Ingres period, emphasizing light and shadows. After months of investigation and watching Renoir documentaries, she called Sotheby’s, who directed her to an art appraiser with 43 years of experience. When she had it appraised, the appraiser agreed with her suspicion, uttering, “Congratulations”.
To further authenticate the piece, Markow submitted it to the Wildenstein Plattner Institute (WPI) in New York City, a non-profit dedicated to preserving art historical documentation.
If WPI includes the drawing in its Catalogue Raisonné, it would confirm its authenticity. The review is set to take place on April 10.
Markow is guardedly optimistic about the result. Even if the WPI does not include the painting, she admits that more research might be required. If it is authenticated, she intends to sell the painting, guessing it could bring six or seven figures, depending on the purchaser. She would like to see it hung in a residence where someone enjoys impressionist paintings.
This find speaks to the promise of treasures found in unexpected locations and reminds us to follow our intuition. As the art world holds its breath for the WPI’s report, Markow’s story reminds us of the untold riches that might go unnoticed.
