It seems hard to believe that incredibly valuable works of art are still being discovered among piles of family storage or — in this case — in a bric-a-brac stall in a French flea market. But should it be?
 
Whenever cases of art discovery surface in mainstream news, there always seems to be a degree of disbelief. How could a masterpiece by that artist be lying out in the open, for anyone to discover or purchase? However, while museum-goers and gallery enthusiasts have the pleasure of seeing many of the greatest works of art in person, the fact remains that many lay undiscovered — especially since so many works were stolen by the Nazis during World War II.
 
The most recent eye-opening discovery emanates from Sarrebourg — a small town in eastern France, where a retired French archaeologist was browsing various stalls in the local flea market. An engraving caught the man’s discerning eye, and experience told him of the work’s potential value and historical significance. As he examined the work, a faded stamp on the verso of the print confirmed his suspicions: Staatsgalerie.
 
As it turns out, the engraving discovered is the work of the king of printmaking, Albrecht Dürer, who was born in 1471 in Nuremberg, southern Germany. Titled “Maria Crowned by an Angel,” the print had been missing since World War II and presumed lost. As only an honorable person can do, the buyer donated the print anonymously back to the Staatsgalerie, where museum curators are still determining how to properly display it. Experts agree that the print is in outstanding condition and was likely produced circa 1520. Not bad for, reportedly, just a few euros at a flea market.
 
To learn more, visit ArtNet.
 
This article was featured in Fine Art Today, a weekly e-newsletter from Fine Art Connoisseur magazine. To start receiving Fine Art Today for free, click here.
 

In this ongoing series for Fine Art Today, we take a longer look at the history and features of a soon-to-be-available artwork of note. This week: Wojciech Gerson, “Dawn.”
 
A beautiful original from the hand of one of Poland’s most celebrated 19th-century artists heads to auction Saturday, August 13 in Sopot, Poland. A longtime professor of the School of Fine Arts in Warsaw, Wojciech Gerson (1831-1901) was among the foremost champions of the Polish school of Realism during the mid-19th century.
 
Unfortunately, original works by Gerson are rare — making the opportunity to own or even view one incredibly exciting. During World War II, the Nazis apparently stole a large quantity of his works, which remain unrecovered to this day.
 
Available for purchase this week is the artist’s compelling “Dawn” — a beautiful image of a single female subject. Framed within a dramatic vertical format, the bare-chested subject raises her arms above her head as her entire body appears to be pulled or drawn by an unknown source to the viewer’s left. Although the piece undeniably shows its age, Gerson’s Romantic roots are evident in the striking pose and in the euphoric relaxation that falls over the woman’s face.
 
Auction estimates are between $57,000 and $62,000. To view the full catalogue, visit Sopocki Dom Aukcyjny.
 
This article was featured in Fine Art Today, a weekly e-newsletter from Fine Art Connoisseur magazine. To start receiving Fine Art Today for free, click here.
 

Fine Art Today and Streamline Publishing Inc. join a chorus of praise and admiration as a fine art icon celebrates his 90th birthday.

Tomorrow, August 5, fine art icon and renowned portraitist Everett Raymond Kinstler will celebrate his 90th birthday. From all of us at Streamline Publishing, we wish you the happiest of birthdays!

Born in 1926 and a native New Yorker, Kinstler began his famed art career at age 16 drawing illustrations in comic books and paperbacks during the “Golden age” of comic book artists. After studying at the Art Students League in New York, Kinstler transitioned to portraiture and quickly became one of the most sought-after artists in the country.

Everett R. Kinstler, “President Gerald R. Ford, Official White House Portrait,” oil, 34 x 40 in.
(c) Everett R. Kinstler 2016

Although Kinstler would continue to paint landscape and watercolor, portraiture remained his staple as esteemed clientele were eager to employ his extraordinary eye. Among the more than 1,200 portraits are figures such as Peter O’Toole, Paul Newman, John Wayne, John D. Rockefeller III, Richard Nixon, George H.W. Bush, Jimmy Carter, and many more. In 1999, Kinstler received the Copley Medal from the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery, its highest honor.

Everett R. Kinstler, “Theodore Geisel (Dr. Seuss),” oil, (c) Everett R. Kinstler 2016

Here’s to continued success and good health! Cheers!

To learn more, visit Everett R. Kinstler.

This article was featured in Fine Art Today, a weekly e-newsletter from Fine Art Connoisseur magazine. To start receiving Fine Art Today for free, click here.

On July 28, Creighton Block Gallery had the pleasure of hosting the first annual Big Sky Art Auction, which saw a number of notable consignments and robust total sales.

Nearly 50 outstanding artworks headlined the first annual Big Sky Art Auction at Creighton Block Gallery in Big Sky, Montana, this past weekend. Although final sales for individual artworks were not made available, organizers report that over 75 percent of the available lots sold. 

Particularly noteworthy is the auction’s overwhelming support of the local community. A percentage of the proceeds from the auction will benefit the Spanish Peaks Community Foundation, the Moonlight Community Foundation, and the Heart of the Valley Animal Shelter. 

Among the notable consignments was R. Tom Gilleon’s “Poia” — a beautiful and powerful portrait of a Native American. Set against a royal blue background, the use of fiery red and orange hues in the subject’s visage enliven the work with a compelling spirit and individuality. 

To learn more, visit the Big Sky Art Auction.

This article was featured in Fine Art Today, a weekly e-newsletter from Fine Art Connoisseur magazine. To start receiving Fine Art Today for free, click here.
 

It’s never too early to get excited about the Oil Painters of America (OPA) Eastern Regional. What lovely works can you see in person?
 
Located in Cincinnati, Ohio, the Eisele Gallery is overjoyed to be the chosen host of the OPA’s Eastern Regional Juried Exhibition this September. The exhibition opens September 9 and will be shown through October 8, as artists, collectors, enthusiasts, and more will converge to view the latest and greatest works of oil painting in the country.
 

Angela Campbell, “Keys Twilight,” oil, 26 x 40 in. (c) OPA 2016

Karla Mann, “Spring is Here,” oil, 8 x 10 in. (c) OPA 2016

Jeff Morrow, “The Designer,” oil, 24 x 30 in. (c) OPA 2016

Jenny Buckner, “It’s a Hard Life,” oil, 12 x 24 in. (c) OPA 2016

 
An opening reception will be held on Friday, September 9, at the gallery. Nearly 700 artworks were submitted to the Eastern Regional Exhibition and of those only 110 artists were selected to be part of the show. The organization writes, “Total awards for this year’s Eastern Regional Exhibition are expected to exceed $15,000, including $4,000 for Best of Show award.”
 
To learn more, visit Eisele Gallery or OPA.
 
This article was featured in Fine Art Today, a weekly e-newsletter from Fine Art Connoisseur magazine. To start receiving Fine Art Today for free, click here.
 

For lovers of art and all things equestrian, look no further than Evergreen, Colorado, this month.
 
August 6 marks the date when Evergreen Fine Art in Colorado will host an artist reception and gallery talk with artist Sophy Brown as she discusses her most recent works within “Bloodlines.”
 

Sophy Brown, “Group 3,” acrylic, 32 1/2 x 18 in. (c) Evergreen Fine Art 2016

 
The gallery writes, “Each of Brown’s works is a spellbinding masterpiece of tight focus, broad contrast and sometimes delicate, sometimes explosive motion. Her innate understanding of equestrian form is unmatched, and her bone-deep connection to each subject is unmistakable in every bright color and bold line. Sophy’s ability to capture the visceral emotional responses of her equine subject matter is second to none.”
 
“Bloodlines” opens on August 6 and will show through September 3. To learn more, visit Evergreen Fine Art.
 
This article was featured in Fine Art Today, a weekly e-newsletter from Fine Art Connoisseur magazine. To start receiving Fine Art Today for free, click here.
 

A Santa Fe Gallery is going tropical with a tantalizing solo exhibition of works by an accomplished artist who spent a month in the Everglades.
 
Opening on August 5 and hanging through August 29 is an outstanding exhibition of paintings by skillful artist Jane Abrams. Hosted by Santa Fe’s New Concept Gallery, the works on view were produced during Adrams’ month-long artist residency awarded by the Everglades National Park in Florida.
 
Abrams describes the location with extremely beautiful and detailed paintings that highlight the area’s diverse ecology and wildlife. The gallery writes, “Jane captures it as a place with ghost orchids, alligators, black vultures and piano birds, found among the magical wonders and profound beauty of the swamps and the fragility of the great spans of wetlands.”
 
An opening reception will be held tomorrow evening, August 5, from 5 to 7 p.m. To learn more, visit New Concept Gallery.
 
This article was featured in Fine Art Today, a weekly e-newsletter from Fine Art Connoisseur magazine. To start receiving Fine Art Today for free, click here.