Back in 2014, Antiques Roadshow revealed a 17th-century portrait as the masterpiece of celebrated Flemish artist Van Dyck, with the specialist disclosing it could fetch up to $540,263, marking one of the program’s most valuable assessments ever.
Yet there was subsequently a crushing development when the artwork went under the hammer.
The canvas had been purchased for $540 by Catholic priest Father Jamie MacLeod when he unwittingly stumbled upon it in a Cheshire antiques store 12 years prior.
Presenter Richard Osman later discussed the extraordinary find on his podcast The Rest Is Entertainment, where he disclosed that the astounding appraisal was among the show’s most shocking moments.
He stated: “The most expensive item I could find that was actually somebody who had just bought something in a shop and turned up with it was a painting they bought for £400 ($540) in a thrift shop. And it turned out to be a £400,000 ($540,263) Van Dyck.”
During the episode, Father MacLeod was amazed when host Fiona Bruce proposed it was created by Baroque master Sir Anthony Van Dyck during his segment on the cherished BBC show.
Fiona asked him to inspect it, and after a comprehensive restoration procedure, the artwork was verified by Dr Christopher Brown, who ranks among the globe’s foremost experts on Van Dyck.
Father MacLeod commented, “It has been a blessing to own this magnificent portrait, which has given me great pleasure over the years.
“I will be sad to part with it, though the proceeds will be put to excellent use, going towards the acquisition of new church bells for Whaley Hall Ecumenical Retreat House in Derbyshire to commemorate the centenary of the end of the First World in 2018.”
Sir Anthony Van Dyck was born in present-day Belgium but rose to become England’s premier court artist following an invitation from King Charles I.
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Apart from his reputation for revolutionary artwork, Van Dyck also gave his name to a distinctive facial hair style.
The short pointed beard that appeared on countless subjects in his portraits led to the creation of the term “van dyke” beard.
The piece, valued between £300,000 to £500,000, was believed to be a preliminary sketch for a work called the Magistrates Of Brussels that decorated the city’s Town Hall before being destroyed during a French bombardment in 1695.
Nevertheless, there was a disappointing turn of events when the painting failed to attract any buyers at Christie’s auction house in London.
The auction house confirmed the piece remained unsold during the Old Master and British Paintings sale.