VALUABLE. PICTURE FIND

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 246, 11 July 1919, Page 6

VALUABLE. PICTURE FIND

ROMANCE OP "LOT" THAT STARTED WITH A BID OF JSlflO. The romantic 6alo of a Franz Hals, the identity and value of which were unsuspected by its owner, has just token place in Messrs. Sothoby's rooms in London. \s a result "a country gentleman" finds himself richer by nearly J212,«00 than ho had anticipated. In the catalogue the picture was described as "by ft. Bergheni." The auctioneer had no idea that it was a Pranz Hals, but several dealers were pre:ent who had somehow made tho discovery.

Covered with a thick coating of dirty varnish the portrait represents a young man in a broad-brimmed, high-crowned lint, lint linen collar, and dnrlc blue coat. Tile canvas is 37in. by 2!) in. The picture was brought to the front of the' rostrum, and the auctioneer suggested an opening bid of ,£IOO. This accepted, and then, to the surprise pt the auctioneer, Mr. A. 11. Butery, tlio Piccadilly picture expert, bid JE2OOO. In a moment other dealers' and collectors had joined in, By bids of -CSOO the price rose to ,£12,000, at which, it was knocked 'down to a "Dr. C. A. Brown," who was acting on behalf of a famous firm of picture dealers.

The auctioneer's hammer having fallen tho occret. was disclosed. The. portrait, instead of feeing a Berghom, is one of tho finest nntl most convincing examples of Franz Hals, and it is possible that when the old varnish has been cleaned oft the signature of tho artist, will be disclosed. Ono of the bidders said lie thought tho picture must have beon painted by Hols about ICJ-t or IGIG.