London Taxi Driver's £40 Painting Linked to 19th-Century Amritsar Sells for £75,000
What Happened?
A painting bought for £40 at a car boot sale was linked to 19th-century Amritsar and sold for £75,000 at auction in 2016. The artwork depicts the historic city with the Golden Temple.
Key points
- The painting was purchased by a London taxi driver for £40 about 30 years ago.
- It was initially valued at £500 to £1,000 but sold for £75,000 at Roseberys auction.
- The artwork features the historic walled city of Amritsar with the Golden Temple in the background.
- Specialists tentatively attributed the painting to artist Baba Bishan Singh.
- The painting includes a self-portrait of the artist at work, adding historical significance.
Key insights
- The auction result underscores the potential hidden value in second-hand purchases.
- This case illustrates the importance of expert evaluation in the art market.
- The painting's connection to Amritsar enriches the understanding of its cultural history.
Why it matters
This story highlights how overlooked art can hold significant historical value.
Entities
Source
Times of India