Deciding to Seek an Expert Opinion
Piqued by his friend’s interest, he thought it couldn’t do any harm to get a professional opinion about the painting. He began to search for local art appraisers who were experienced in evaluating mid-century and modern art. The more he read on art appraisal, the more he realized that there had been paintings by totally unknown artists discovered in the most unlikely places and then turning into major finds.
This only fired his enthusiasm, for he started thinking maybe he himself was on the eve of making a similar discovery. He soon managed to get an appointment with a good appraiser experienced in 20th-century art. As the date approached, he carefully wrapped up the painting and felt a qualm at taking his “lucky” yard-sale find into a professional context. He could not help but think maybe he was wasting the appraiser’s time, that the painting was just a decoration and less valuable than what he had paid for it.
He still wanted to visit the gallery, if only just to satiate his interest in the painting. At the gallery, he was warmly welcomed by the appraiser, who patiently heard him tell the story of the painting. There was a friendly demeanor to the appraiser, and that helped calm his nerves. He sat down as she commenced her examination. As she looked at the brush strokes, the quality of the painting, the quality of the frame, her face tightened up showing increasing concentrations.
The man felt a type of excitement; he had no idea what was going to await him in her verdict. It might be real news or just one gentle rejection.Little did he know that the analysis of the appraiser would set him on the path to his life-changing revelation.
