Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Rufino Tamayo Painting Found in Trash Sells for $1Million
Foxnews.com ^ | 11-21-07 | AP

Posted on 11/21/2007 11:37:41 AM PST by JZelle

NEW YORK — An abstract masterpiece by a Mexican artist that was found in the trash by a woman who knew little about modern art has been sold for more than $1 million.

The painting "Tres Personajes" by Rufino Tamayo was discovered in 2003 by Elizabeth Gibson, who spotted it on her morning walk on Manhattan's Upper West Side. She said she took it home because "even though I didn't understand it, I knew it had power."

The brightly colored abstract work was purchased for $1,049,000 by an unidentified private American collector bidding by phone at Sotheby's Latin American Art sale Tuesday night.

Gibson spent four years trying to find out about the painting, finally discovering on the "Antiques Roadshow" Web site that it had been featured on the popular PBS program and described as a missing masterpiece stolen in 1989.

Gibson has received a $15,000 reward for turning in "Tres Personajes" and also will get a percentage of the sale price.

Painted in 1970, "Tres Personajes" was purchased by a Houston collector for $55,000 as a gift for his wife at a Sotheby's auction in 1977. Ten years later, as the couple was moving to a new home, it was stolen from storage.

The husband has since died, and the widow, who wished to remain anonymous, decided to sell it.

Tamayo was born in 1899 and died in 1991. His early work has similarities to that of famed 20th century muralist Diego Rivera. His later work features the vivid colors and expressions of his native state of Oaxaca.

(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: antiquesroadshow; art; painting; rufinotamayo
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-59 next last

1 posted on 11/21/2007 11:37:42 AM PST by JZelle
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

Comment #2 Removed by Moderator

To: JZelle

I can see why it was in the garbage..............


3 posted on 11/21/2007 11:46:10 AM PST by Red Badger ( We don't have science, but we do have consensus.......)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger

I’m glad I don’t get it. It’s a very expensive hobby. I’ll stick with collecting NFL mini helmets.


4 posted on 11/21/2007 11:47:43 AM PST by JZelle
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger

I like it!


5 posted on 11/21/2007 11:48:56 AM PST by Dr. Bogus Pachysandra ("Don't touch that thing")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: JZelle

I found a painting by a Mexican artist in the trash once........I wonder how much Elvis on Black Velvet is worth?....................


6 posted on 11/21/2007 11:50:11 AM PST by Red Badger ( We don't have science, but we do have consensus.......)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: JZelle

I wonder if Debbie (I’ve never seen a piece of wood that won’t look better painted) Travis was doing one of her redecorating shows and tossed that piece out.


7 posted on 11/21/2007 11:50:31 AM PST by Don W (I wondered why the baseball was getting bigger. Then it hit me.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Dr. Bogus Pachysandra

For $1.049 Million you can have it..............


8 posted on 11/21/2007 11:51:12 AM PST by Red Badger ( We don't have science, but we do have consensus.......)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: Baynative

9 posted on 11/21/2007 11:53:40 AM PST by Red Badger ( We don't have science, but we do have consensus.......)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: JZelle

That is an awesome picture. Not a million dollars perhaps, but it’s way better than anything submitted for the Turner prize.


10 posted on 11/21/2007 11:54:36 AM PST by agere_contra (Do not confuse the wealth of nations with the wealth of government - FDT)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: JZelle

Our local Albertson’s has them for 1.99 each...........But I can’t find Dallas, or Steelers...............


11 posted on 11/21/2007 11:55:21 AM PST by Red Badger ( We don't have science, but we do have consensus.......)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: JZelle

My father in law found a historic painting of Sam Houston in the trash 50 years ago. I don’t think it is worth anywhere close to a million dollars but it is hanging over my fireplace now and we love it.


12 posted on 11/21/2007 11:57:29 AM PST by Ditter
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: JZelle
Well at least it was returned to the rightful owner, and at least the finder did get a reward.

And the thief didn’t get the money.

13 posted on 11/21/2007 11:57:35 AM PST by weegee (End the Bush-Bush-Bush-Clinton/Clinton-Clinton/Clinton-Bush-Bush-Clinton/Clinton Oligarchy 1980-2012)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger
........I wonder how much Elvis on Black Velvet is worth?

Elvis on Black Velvet is the first thing that came to my mind when I saw this painting.

Cordially,

14 posted on 11/21/2007 11:58:30 AM PST by Diamond
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger

Wow! Were these the Pocket Pros which are a little larger than the ones from the machine, or the ones that are about the size of a fist?


15 posted on 11/21/2007 12:00:01 PM PST by JZelle
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: agere_contra

Does the Turner prize even go to paintings anymore? Or just sliced up animals and rooms with a lightswitch?


16 posted on 11/21/2007 12:01:19 PM PST by weegee (End the Bush-Bush-Bush-Clinton/Clinton-Clinton/Clinton-Bush-Bush-Clinton/Clinton Oligarchy 1980-2012)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: Ditter

Cool. You’d do even better to have a full length portrait photograph. There is only one known example and it is in the MFA Houston’s collection.


17 posted on 11/21/2007 12:02:22 PM PST by weegee (End the Bush-Bush-Bush-Clinton/Clinton-Clinton/Clinton-Bush-Bush-Clinton/Clinton Oligarchy 1980-2012)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger

Most likely a good investment.


18 posted on 11/21/2007 12:05:22 PM PST by Dr. Bogus Pachysandra ("Don't touch that thing")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: JZelle

About the size of a child’s fist.........


19 posted on 11/21/2007 12:06:24 PM PST by Red Badger ( We don't have science, but we do have consensus.......)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

To: weegee

This painting was painted in 1906 so it was painted from a photograph, maybe the one you are talking about. Sam is seated at a table and has his legs crossed. He is holding a newspaper and there is an early map of Texas on the wall behind him. There is one in the same pose hanging in the Houston Courthouse.

I’d like to see the photograph in the MFAH.


20 posted on 11/21/2007 12:07:57 PM PST by Ditter
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-59 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson