‘Hugely Exciting’: 400-year-old painting discovered in a storeroom might be worth millions
A 400-year-old Dutch master painting, estimated to be worth millions of dollars, has been unearthed in an Australian warehouse. The “Still Life” artwork was maintained for many years in what is now known as the Woodford Academy in the Blue Mountains of New South Wales (NSW). A rare 17th-century Dutch Golden Age picture was discovered among 60,000 artifacts when the property and its contents were donated to the National Trust of Australia (NSW).
“It is a unique and tremendously wonderful occasion,” said Julian Bickersteth, project coordinator and CEO of International Conservation Services, the business doing the restoration work, in a news release issued on Sunday.
The painting depicts a white tablecloth covered with food, including a mince pie, nuts, and a bread roll, as well as a silver goblet and glassware. Heda is the son of the famed Dutch 17th-century still-life painter Willem Claesz. He is credited with the piece. Heda is regarded as one of the great masters of the Dutch Golden Age. However, scientists are currently looking into the roots of “Still Life.”
Heda’s signature is strikingly similar to his father’s, and his paintings were credited to his father until 1945, according to the press announcement. Suggestions that it could be a father-and-son collaboration are being looked into.
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Value of the Painting
The value of the artwork is still being assessed, according to a representative for the trust, but experts believe it might be worth millions of Australian dollars. Willem Claesz. Heda’s paintings are normally valued between $4 and $5 million Australian dollars ($2.9 to $3.7 million), according to the spokeswoman.
“To discover an original 17th-century picture in my storeroom at the National Trust was beyond amazing — it left me breathless,” said Rebecca Pinchin, National Trust collections manager, in a press statement.
“Finding the artist’s autograph felt like a one in a million chance. This is an incredible story of discovery that has led us on a trip over several years, piecing together and validating the work using professional assistance and technology.”
According to the news release, the artwork was possibly introduced to the residence in Woodford by Alfred Fairfax, the nephew of James Fairfax, the founder of the Sydney Morning Herald.
He bought the building in 1868, at a time when Dutch works and auctions featuring “old masters” were highly fashionable, according to the trust.
On May 14, the painting will be on exhibit as part of the 2022 Australian Heritage Festival at Woodford Academy in the Blue Mountains.
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Tags: Dutch Still Life Painting, Dutch Still Life Painting 17th Century, Dutch 17th Century Paintings