Treasure Hunt all over the World

The shock was only momentary. Betty and the others immediately looked at Ye Tian, ​​eagerly waiting for his comment to determine whether this was Daubigny's painting!

But Ye Tian made a fool of himself and asked another question.

"Mr. Walter, when you appraised this oil painting just now, you were quite professional from the beginning to the end, and you also have a deep understanding of the Barbizon School, obviously you have done some research.

This is not something an art lover can do! More like a professional, have you ever worked in art collecting? Auction house or museum? Or a gallery?

If you are not a collector or a related art major, then only in these industries can you come into contact with a large number of top art works and practice the skill of quick identification, so I just asked this question! "

Hearing Ye Tian's question, Betty and Logan couldn't help but look at their father.

They were also curious about how their father suddenly acquired this skill, which they didn't know before.

"Steven, your vision is really sharp, and you really deserve your reputation! Yes, I did work in a museum, but that was more than 20 years ago.

Before I got married, I worked at the Gardner Museum for several years in a management role, and it was during that time that I was able to access a large number of top-notch works of art.

At that time, the Gardner Museum had its own experts in art appraisal. I learned this little appraisal knowledge from them.

Moreover, in the collection of the Gardner Museum, there are two landscape paintings by Daubigny, which are in the same line as this oil painting, so I am familiar with the Barbizon School and Daubigny!

If I switch to other schools of painting, or works of other artists, I’m afraid I won’t be able to recognize them. This time I can only say that it’s a coincidence that I happened to come across a fairly familiar piece of art.”

Matthew explained the reason, and he couldn't help showing an expression of reminiscing about the past.

Evelyn, who was sitting next to him, did the same, and gently held Matthew's hand, turning her head to look at her husband tenderly, her eyes full of affection!

Clearly, there are fond memories of them in the Gardner Museum.

"I see, no wonder you are so familiar with the Barbizon School! I know the Gardner Museum, there are indeed many top-level artworks there, and the two paintings by Daubigny are quite good!"

Ye Tian suddenly said,

The roots are here.

At this time, Betty suddenly interjected and asked:

"Dad, why have I never heard you mention this experience? You have never shown this skill in art appraisal? Why didn't you do it in the Gardner Museum?"

Both Matthew and Evelyn couldn't help but their faces changed, and a hint of pain flashed in their eyes.

Obviously, this question probably touched on their sad past!

After a short pause, Matthew adjusted his mood and began to answer Betty's question.

"When I worked at the Gardner Museum in those years, I did learn a few things, and I also liked that job, and it was at the Gardner Museum that I met and met your mother!"

"Wow! It turns out that the Gardner Museum is the place for you to make love. Tell me quickly, how did you catch up with my mother, I will learn too!"

Logan booed and said, instantly resolving the slight unhappiness of Matthew and Evelyn!

"Hahaha"

Everyone laughed, and Evelyn shot Logan a wide smile.

The laughter fell slightly, and Matthew continued to say:

“Everything was fine and life was peaceful until St. Patrick’s Day in 1990 when the Gardner Museum was horribly robbed and lost. Everything has changed since then!”

"I know that the shocking robbery, the Gardner Museum was ransacked 13 top artworks, worth up to 500 million US dollars, which shocked the whole world.

And those works of art are still missing, no one knows where they are! Even if a reward of tens of millions of dollars is offered, no information can be obtained, no news at all! "

Ye Tian continued, with a bit of regret in his tone.

"500 million U.S. dollars? That's only the valuation in 1990. If it is put into the present, the combined value of the 13 top artworks is at least 2 billion U.S. dollars!

Only Vermeer's "The Concert" is now worth more than 500 million US dollars, not to mention Rembrandt, Degas, and Manet, each of which is a top-level work of art! unique!

It was a group of bastards who robbed the museum. They actually cut Rembrandt's "The Storm on the Sea of ​​Galilee" from the frame with a knife. These bastards should be thrown into hell! "

Matthew gritted his molars and said, very angry.

"Whoa! Top art worth $2 billion, this is probably the biggest art robbery ever?"

Logan exclaimed, this kid obviously pays more attention to the market value of artworks.

"That was indeed the largest art robbery in history. Unfortunately, the validity period of the lawsuit has passed. Even if the robbers return those artworks, they will not be prosecuted!"

Ye Tian continued, with a helpless expression on his face.

"After the robbery, the Gardner Museum was closed for a long time, and every staff member was investigated by the FBI countless times, including me. Those days were really difficult!

And that period of time was just shortly after your mother and I were married, when life was under the most stressful circumstances, and we quarreled all our lives during that period of time under the difficult environment! "

Matthew said in a low mood, while looking at Evelyn apologetically.

Evelyn returned him a bright smile, obviously she had given up her grievances!

Hearing this, Ye Tian suddenly realized.

It turned out that it was because of this that they were reluctant to mention those days, and Betty and Logan knew nothing about it.

After a short pause, Matthew continued:

"Immediately after the investigation, the museum underwent a major shake-up, and I left the Gardner Museum, and after changing jobs, I finally joined the Boston Public Library.

After leaving the museum, I never had access to top art, let alone appraisals, and I don't want to think about that experience, so I won't tell you.

I am very clear about my own appraisal level. Except for those familiar works of art, I can’t even talk about getting started in other aspects, so I have never shown this appraisal skill.”

Matthew explained the reason for leaving the Gardner Museum, and his expression quickly returned to normal.

After all, many years have passed, no matter how painful the experience is, it should fade away.

Then Matthew went on to say:

"Okay, let's not talk about this, let Steven reveal the answer, I really want to know the information about this oil painting, and also want to know whether my appraisal conclusion is correct!"

While speaking, he had already looked at Ye Tian, ​​and so did the others.

Ye Tian sorted out his thoughts for a while, then smiled and said:

"Mr. Walter, congratulations, your identification is correct. This is indeed the landscape oil painting of Charles Francois Daubigny, a famous French landscape painter and representative of the Barbizon School.

But these are only his early works, which were painted after he arrived in Italy at the age of 19. During this period, his painting style has not yet formed, and is still in the stage of exploration, and his works are still lacking.

Daubigny's painting style was fully formed and reached its peak when he was between 47 and 57 years old. These 10 years were his heyday, and his creations were the most representative!

In comparison, the oil painting in front of you is a little less interesting. It is not a top-level work of art. It is just a pretty good work of art, but it is also worth collecting! "

Before the words fell, Matthew excitedly began to throw his fists in celebration.

"Wow! That's great! It's really Daubigny's landscape painting! It means that I haven't lost what I learned, and my eyesight is still there. This is worth celebrating!"

The other three were equally excited, all cheering and celebrating.

Not only for the beautiful and moving masterpiece in front of me, but also for Matthew's suddenly revealed art appraisal ability, and Ye Tian's generosity!

After a brief celebration, Logan immediately asked:

"Steven, how much is this oil painting worth? It must be very expensive, right? After all, it is a masterpiece!"

This is also a question that other people care about. Hearing Logan's question, Betty and the others all looked at Ye Tian, ​​and everyone's eyes were full of expectation.

Ye Tian didn't hide anything, and smiled and said the answer.

"This is an early work of Charles Daubigny's artistic career. Naturally, it cannot be compared with the works in his heyday, and the market value will be much lower, which cannot reach the price of top art.

Based on the market conditions, the size of the oil painting, and the depreciation caused by improper maintenance, I value this oil painting between US$500,000 and US$800,000.

If it is sent to an auction, it may be able to sell for about 1 million US dollars, but it is impossible to go higher. Of course, it is not ruled out that some people suddenly go crazy and buy this oil painting with big money! "

“$800,000! It’s a masterpiece, it’s crazy that a 19-year-old painting should cost so much”

Logan exclaimed, and the eyes looking at this oil painting suddenly became hotter, even a little hot!

The same goes for Matthew and Evelyn, both looking at the painting in shock.

It's just a landscape oil painting, but it can be worth the income of my whole family for nearly 89 years, it's unbelievable!

Contrary to them, Betty's expression quickly returned to normal.

She has seen too many antique artworks worth $800,000, and there are several on the table in the study room of her New York apartment!

She has seen a lot of top antique works of art far exceeding 800,000 US dollars, so naturally she will not be excited by the price of the oil painting in front of her!

Ye Tian didn't pause, and continued to smile and said:

"For me, the cost of this landscape oil painting is not high. It was a leak I picked up in the New York antique market some time ago. It didn't cost much, only $4,000.

And I am a professional treasure hunter, I have good eyesight and good luck, I will definitely find many such artworks in the future, I am very sure of this! "

Hearing this, Matthew and the others nodded.

This guy's eyesight is indeed undeniable, it is almost becoming a nightmare for American antique dealers!

After a short pause, Ye Tian continued to say:

"So when I came to Boston this time, I brought it here and prepared to give it to Mrs. Walter. I hope you don't refuse to accept this gift, and I hope you like this gift!

You don’t have to worry about safety issues. There is no author’s signature on this painting. As long as you don’t tell me, it will be difficult for ordinary people to recognize that it is Daubigny’s work, let alone know its value!

If you don't want to keep collecting that day and want to cash in on this oil painting, you just need to send it to a top auction house like Sotheby's, and you will definitely get a nice surprise! "

After finishing speaking, Ye Tian gently held Betty's hand and looked at Matthew and the others with a smile.