An Antiques Roadshow guest nearly fainted with shock after she learnt the real value of her gorgeous hidden gem. The BBC antiques weekend program is loved up and down the country and quickly became a mainstay following its debut in 1979. The beloved show later spawned an American spin-off for fans across the pond.
During a trip to Alburquerque back in 2014, one loyal viewer brought along a painting which she purchased for just $150 (£111). She told the painting expert how she fell in love with the piece after living in Europe during the 1950’s.
She recalled: “I think it was in 1953 I did my junior year in Madrid, Spain and I lived right close to the Joaquin Sorolla Museum in Madrid. Later, I moved to Cambridge with my first husband, whom I met in Spain, and we found some of Jane Peterson’s work.
“I just fell in love with this because it reminded me of Joaquin Sorolla with the light and so I just fell in love with her and I’ve lived with her for almost 50 years.”
The dealer went on to share an insight into the history of the impressive piece. She revealed: “Actually, Peterson went to Spain and studied with Sorolla, and they became great friends.
“He also introduced her to Louis Comfort Tiffany, and she painted Tiffany’s gardens on Long Island. Other than Spain, she also went to Paris, and she lived around the corner from Gertrude and Leo Stein. And they in turn introduced her to Picasso and Cezanne and Matisse.”
The pair then went on to discuss the figure in the painting who is depicted looking wistfully off into the distance. The expert declared: “This piece is called The Answer and it’s very mysterious.”
The guest mused: “Maybe she was writing a Dear John letter, or maybe she had receive a Dear John letter. I love the title, and it’s very mysterious. As I recall, I paid $150 (£111) for it.”
The dealer couldn’t help but raise her eyebrows at her steal of a bargain before she revealed its true value on the show. She asked: “$150 (£111)? I think that a gallery in New York would be asking $300,000 (£223,483).”
After hearing the staggering six-figure valuation, the guest jokingly searched around for a chair as she asked: “Where’s a chair? Now I need that chair!” It didn’t take long before fans flooded to the comments to share their love for the artist online.
One user gushed: “LOVE Sorolla!! Have been to his Madrid studio/ home three times! [smiling emoji, sun emoji]. Looking forward to going back in 2026 after the renovation is complete!! [dancing woman emoji].”
Another agreed: “I remember this one! I fell in love with this painting and remember thinking how lucky its owner has been to live with it for 50 years! Hopefully more now!”
A third echoed: “Gorgeous painting – love the owner’s story too. Amazing!” as a fourth echoed: “The first husband, who she met in Spain. That’s a story I want to hear! What an interesting life! Incredible painting.”
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