The Picture!
During my first week at the Prince George Hospice Resale Store, I spent some time dusting off a few treasures that obviously needed a closer look.
One of them was a picture titled "The Silence of the Night” by an artist named William Wendt.
Look him up, I dare you! I googled his name and artwork immediately and my mind was blown!
According to the famous Sotheby’s auction, this painting had sold for $286,000 in 2016!
Could this be true? Did I just stumble across a painting that could mean a sizeable donation to the PG Hospice Society?
I was doing the dance of joy while I emailed the Art Institute of Chicago (where the painting originated from).
I also phoned my new boss to share with her this exciting discovery; even she was intrigued and made a trip by the store to see it for herself.
Sooo...as it turns out my “original” painting is actually a print, but a numbered print so that’s something isn’t it?
It’s still very old and very cool and I love that it has its own personal story just by being in our store.
I did hear back from the Art Institute of Chicago and they confirmed that it’s only a print, but they also let me know that the original went back up for auction in 2019 and they had anticipated a high bid of over $350,000.
I’ve learned a lot since finding this painting:
- How to read the back of a print, so you know it’s a print
- Just because it looks really old, doesn’t mean it’s that old
- William Wendt was a very talented artist
- Value has nothing to do with money and everything to do with the heart. If you love something it holds value to you, and that’s what matters
I love this print and the story it once told. It now has another chance to share a new story because someone was kind enough to donate it to Hospice.
Hunting with Holmes is a featured column in partnership with the Prince George Hospice Resale Shop and Amanda Holmes. You can find treasures at its stores, 3051 McGill Cres. and 1466 3 Ave., visit its Facebook page or give them a call at 250-964-1505.
