An Antiques Roadshow guest was left astounded after a painting she received for free was valued at up to £15,000. The episode, filmed at Osborne on the Isle of Wight, featured expert Frances Christie examining an unsigned oil painting of a mother and child basking in sunshine.
Christie immediately identified the work as that of early 20th-century artist Dorothea Sharp, citing the subject matter, brush strokes, colour, and depiction of light. The guest revealed her grandmother had attended art school with Sharp and was given two or three pictures, one of which was passed down to her father.
“Dorothea Sharp is probably one of the most popular early 20th century female artists,” Christie explained, noting that Sharp exhibited at the Royal Academy for over 40 years. Despite the painting being unsigned, Christie estimated it would fetch between £10,000 and £15,000 at auction.
The owner, however, declared she would keep the painting above her fireplace, saying, “Well that’s lovely news! But I’m afraid it’s going back over my fireplace so I can see it.” Christie wished her well with the piece.
