Chapter 463: Shaking Robbery
The shock was only a moment, Betty and the others immediately looked at Ye Tian, eagerly looking forward to his comment to determine whether this is Dobini's painting!
Ye Tian sold it off and asked another question.
"Mr. Walter, when you just appraised this oil painting, you were very professional from beginning to end, and you have a deep understanding of the Barbizon school. Obviously you have done some research.
This is not something an art lover can do! More like a professional, have you ever worked in the field of art collection? Auction house or museum? Or gallery?
If it is not for collectors and related art majors, then only in these industries can you have a large number of top art works and practice quick identification skills, so I have this question! "
Hearing Ye Tian's question, Betty and Logan couldn't help but look at their father.
They were also curious about why their father suddenly gained this skill, they didn't know before.
"Steven, your eyes are really sharp, and you really deserve it! Yes, I did work in a museum, but that was more than 20 years ago.
Before I got married, I worked at the Gardner Museum for several years, doing management work. During that time, I was exposed to a lot of top art.
At that time, the Gardner Museum had its own art appraisal experts, and I learned this appraisal knowledge from them. It was just a little bit of fur, not an appraisal expert at all.
And in the Gardner Museum's collection, there are two Dobini landscape paintings, which are in the same line as this oil painting, so I will be familiar with the Barbizon school and Dobini!
If I switch to other paintings or other artists’ works, I’m afraid I won’t be able to recognize them. This time I can only say that it’s a coincidence. I just happened to encounter a familiar artwork.”
Matthew explained the reason, his face couldn't help showing a reminiscence of the past.
Evelyn sitting next to him did the same, and gently held Matthew's hand, turned her head and looked at her husband tenderly, eyes full of affection!
Obviously, they have fond memories in the Gardner Museum.
"So, it's no wonder you are so familiar with the Barbizon school! I know the Gardner Museum. There are indeed many top art works there. The two paintings by Dobini are quite good!"
Ye Tian suddenly said, the root was originally here.
At this moment, Betty suddenly interjected and asked:
"Dad, why did I never hear you mention this experience? You never revealed this art appraisal skill? Why didn't you do it at the Gardner Museum later?"
Matthew and Evelyn couldn't help changing their expressions, and a hint of pain flashed in their eyes.
Obviously, this problem may have touched their sad past!
After a short pause, Matthew adjusted his mood and began to answer Betty's questions.
"In those few years, when I worked at the Gardner Museum, I did learn something. I also liked that job, and my meeting and acquaintance with your mother was at the Gardner Museum!"
"Wow! It turns out that the Gardner Museum is your place of love. Hurry up and talk about how you chased my mother. I will also learn!"
Logan booed and said, and instantly resolved the displeasure between Matthew and Evelyn!
"Hahaha"
Everyone laughed, and Evelyn glared at Logan and smiled.
The laughter fell slightly, and Matthew continued:
"Everything was fine and life was very peaceful. Until 1990, on St. Patrick's Day, there was a terrible robbery at the Gardner Museum, with heavy losses. Since then, everything has changed!"
"I know that in that terrible robbery, the Gardner Museum was looted with 13 top art pieces worth up to 500 million US dollars, which shocked the whole world.
And the whereabouts of those artworks are still unknown, no one knows where they are! Even if a reward of tens of millions of dollars is offered, there is no information, no news! "
Ye Tian continued, with a bit of regret in his tone.
"US$500 million? That was only an estimate in 1990. If it were put to the present, the combined value of the 13 top art works would be more than US$2 billion!
Vermeer's "The Concert" alone is now worth more than 500 million US dollars, not to mention Rembrandt, Degas, and Manet, each of which is a top art! unique!
It was a group of **** who robbed the museum. They actually cut Rembrandt's "Storm of Galilee" from the frame directly with a knife. All these **** should be thrown into hell! "
Matthew said, biting his molars, very angry.
"Wow! Top art worth 2 billion US dollars, this is probably the biggest art robbery?"
Logan exclaimed, this kid is obviously more concerned about the market value of art.
"That was indeed the biggest art robbery in history. Unfortunately, the lawsuit has expired. Even if the robbers send those artworks back, they will not be sued!"
Ye Tian continued, with a helpless look on his face.
"After the robbery, the Gardner Museum was closed for a long time. Every staff member was investigated countless times by the FBI, including me. It was really difficult during that period!
At that time, it was not long after my marriage and your mother were married, when life pressure was the most stressful, and under the difficult environment, we had a whole life fight over that time! "
Matthew said in a low mood, and looked at Evelyn apologetically.
Evelyn returned him with a bright smile, apparently having given up his grudge!
Hearing this, Ye Tian was suddenly stunned.
It turned out that because of this, they didn't want to mention that period, and Betty and Logan didn't know anything about it.
After a short pause, Matthew continued:
"After the investigation was over, the museum immediately carried out a major exchange of blood. I left the Gardner Museum and changed a few jobs before finally entering the Boston Public Library.
After leaving the museum, I never had the opportunity to touch top art, let alone appraisal, and I didn’t want to recall that experience, so I didn’t tell you.
What is my level of appraisal, I know very well, except for those familiar artworks, I can’t even talk about getting started in other aspects, so I have never revealed this appraisal skill.”
Matthew explained the reason for leaving the Gardner Museum and his expression quickly returned to normal.
After all, many years have passed, no matter how painful the experience is, it should fade.
Then Matthew went on to say:
"Well, let's not talk about it, let Steven reveal the answer, I really want to know the information about this oil painting, and I want to know whether my appraisal conclusion is correct!"
While speaking, he had already looked at Ye Tian, as did the others.
Ye Tian sorted out his thoughts a bit, then smiled and said:
"Mr. Walter, congratulations. Your identification is correct. This is indeed a landscape oil painting by Charles François Dobini, a famous French landscape painter and representative of the Barbizon school.
But this is only his early work. It was painted after he arrived in Italy when he was 19 years old. During this time, his painting style has not yet formed, he is still in the exploratory stage, and his works are still lacking.
Dobini's painting style was fully formed and reached its peak. It was between the ages of 47 and 57. These 10 years were his heyday, and his works were the most representative!
In comparison, the oil painting in front of you is a little bit close to meaning. It is not a top-level artwork. It is just a pretty good artwork, but it is also worth collecting! "
Before he could say anything, Matthew was already excited and kicked his fist to celebrate.
"Wow! Awesome! It's actually a Dobini landscape painting! It shows that I haven't lost what I learned, and my eyesight is still there. This is worth celebrating!"
The other three were equally excited, all cheering and celebrating.
It is not only for this beautiful and moving masterpiece, but also for Matthew's sudden art appraisal ability, which is even more generous to Ye Tian!
After a brief celebration, Logan immediately asked:
"Steven, how much is this oil painting worth? It must be expensive, right? It is a masterpiece after all!"
This is also a question that other people care about. When Logan asked, Betty and the others looked at Ye Tian, and everyone's eyes were full of expectation.
Ye Tian didn't hide it either, and smiled and said the answer.
"This is an early work of Charles Dobini's art career. Naturally, it cannot be compared with the work of its heyday. The market value will be much lower and it will not reach the price of top art.
Based on market conditions, the size of this oil painting, and the depreciation caused by improper maintenance, I value this oil painting between USD 500,000 and USD 800,000.
If it is sent to auction, it may be able to sell for about US$1 million, but it cannot be higher. Of course, it is not ruled out that someone suddenly went crazy and bought this oil painting in a big way! "
"$800,000! Worthy of being a masterpiece, an early 19-year-old painting is so expensive, it’s crazy"
Logan exclaimed, and the look in this painting suddenly became hotter, even a little hot!
Matthew and Evelyn did the same, both looked at this oil painting in shock.
It's just a landscape oil painting, it can actually be worth the income of my whole family for nearly eight or nine years. It's incredible!
Contrary to them, Betty's expression quickly returned to normal.
She has seen too many antique artworks worth 800,000 dollars, and there are several on the table in the study of the New York apartment!
She has seen a lot of top antique artworks that are far more than 800,000 US dollars. Naturally, she will not be excited by the price of this oil painting!
Ye Tian did not pause, and continued to smile and said:
"For me, the cost of this landscape oil painting is not high. This is a leak I picked up on the New York antique market some time ago. It didn't cost much, only $4,000.
And I am a professional treasure hunter~www.wuxiaspot.com~ I have good eyesight and good luck. I will definitely find many such artworks in the future. I am very sure about this! "
Hearing this, Matthew and they nodded.
The eyesight of this guy in front of you is really hard to say, it is almost a nightmare for American antique dealers!
After a short pause, Ye Tian continued:
"So when I came to Boston this time, I brought it here and prepared to give it to Mrs. Walter. I hope you don't refuse and accept this gift, and I hope you like this gift!
Don’t worry about safety. There is no author’s signature on this painting. As long as you don’t say it, it is difficult for ordinary people to recognize that this is Dobini’s work, let alone its value!
If you don’t want to keep collecting it that day, and want to make this oil painting real, just send it to a top auction house like Sotheby’s, and you will definitely get a nice surprise! "
After speaking, Ye Tian gently held Betty's hand and smiled at Matthew and the others.
