Comments on Forget the foreground! Check out what's happening in the background . . .

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Re: JimmyA

Thanks, Sir Wiley. And that's true. That set assistant bought it for $500, but the article said she eventually sold it to an art dealer, who will then auction it off. They never said what that art dealer paid her for the piece! I too hope it was a bundle . . . 

posted by JimmyA on December 14, 2014 at 9:29 AM | link to this | reply

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Interesting story, wasn't it, lovelylady? I hope I come across more like this. I'm looking, I'm looking . . . 

posted by JimmyA on December 14, 2014 at 9:28 AM | link to this | reply

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That's true, Bill. If that art historian hadn't been watching that movie, that set assistant would still have that painting hanging in her bedroom, totally unaware of its value! Stranger things have happened . . . 

posted by JimmyA on December 14, 2014 at 9:27 AM | link to this | reply

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That's true, FSI. If you watch shows like The Antiques Roadshow or Pawn Stars, you sometimes hear stories about people finding certain things at garage sales or flea markets, or simply stumbling upon them while cleaning out their grandparent's attic! They're out there, I suppose, if you really look . . . 

posted by JimmyA on December 14, 2014 at 9:25 AM | link to this | reply

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It is indeed, C C T. I have heard it said many times that people really shouldn't 'collect' anything ( especially pieces of art ) just for the sake of collecting, but rather, should be looking at things that actually appeal to you! It would be interesting to follow up on this particular painting, and see how much it did finally go for at that auction. If you get two collectors going at it who both really want that piece, I guess the sky's the limit! And I can't even imagine what the insurance would end up costing . . . 

posted by JimmyA on December 14, 2014 at 9:23 AM | link to this | reply

Re: Jimmy

I'm sure it does, Naut. I've never seen that particular movie, but even if I had, I'm sure that particular work of art would probably have gotten by me as well! Very few artist's works are readily distinguishable, and I was not familiar with Bereny at all until I read this piece. Once again, I now can't help but wonder how many other 'masterpieces' may be hanging in the backgrounds of certain movies . . . 

posted by JimmyA on December 14, 2014 at 9:19 AM | link to this | reply

Re: This is fascinating!

I suppose, Pat, that noting such things in the background may give people some insight as to the character of the person sitting before you. Makes perfect sense. They say not to judge a book by its cover, but in incidences like that, being aware of your surroundings can achieve something. Besides works of art, I too like to look at the book titles in the background. If I see War & Peace, A Tale Of Two Cities, Moby Dick and The Great Gatsby, I know I'm in good company. If I see anything by Danielle Steel . . . 

posted by JimmyA on December 14, 2014 at 9:17 AM | link to this | reply

JimmyA

Wowie, what a lucky purchase for that lady, I hope her sale was for a good price or did she lose?Nah, she couldn't have.Be nice to know what she got? Great post as usual.

posted by WileyJohn on December 13, 2014 at 5:14 PM | link to this | reply

posted by lovelyladymonk on December 13, 2014 at 10:54 AM | link to this | reply

Mise en Scene! Almost was miss a piece Jimmy!  BC-A, Bill’s RTTst

posted by BC-A on December 12, 2014 at 3:02 PM | link to this | reply

That is something how that long long art piece turned up in a movie. Now I am wondering how many missing works of art are not only in film but in magazines, social media photos/videos, etc.

posted by FormerStudentIntern on December 12, 2014 at 10:56 AM | link to this | reply

Funny how folk kind of sell something they like when it is proved valuable Jimmy.

I suppose it would cost a lot to insure. Keep searching it seems your reward will be viable if you write a book about it afterwards.  Interesting take on human nature.

posted by C_C_T on December 12, 2014 at 10:31 AM | link to this | reply

Jimmy

That's really interesting! Of course, it helps if you're an art historian...

posted by Nautikos on December 12, 2014 at 7:05 AM | link to this | reply

This is fascinating!

I was taught by a journalism professor to make note of background, especially when interviewing someone. For instance an elderly librarian might have a dried flower arrangement, or an attorney might have one of Scott Turow's novels on his shelf.

posted by Pat_B on December 12, 2014 at 6:57 AM | link to this | reply