The owner of this 1959 Édouard Cortès oil painting was actually watching an episode of Antiques Roadshow when she made a realization that proved valuable. In the feedback booth, a gentleman was describing how his own Cortès painting was a fake. The owner realized she had seen that name before, so she sprinted downstairs to look at a painting that had been hanging on the wall for nearly 40 years. Sure enough, there was the signature!

From: Youtube / Antiques Roadshow

The painting was originally owned by her grandparents who were both artists. It’s a beautiful oil painting of a street scene in Paris — in fact, most of Cortès’ paintings were about Paris. One of the interesting ways the painting was identified was by a pin mark Cortès used to establishing point. After close examination, they’re able to locate the pin mark.

From: Youtube / Antiques Roadshow

When it’s all said and done, the appraiser claims with near-certainty that the painting is indeed an authentic Cortès. Its value? A whopping $30,000-50,000! It just goes to show that it pays to watch Antiques Roadshow. See for yourself in the following clip.

Subscribe to Dusty Old Thing