As she has not repaid the loan, his lawsuit claims he's the rightful owner. I watched this just today ... What a story ! A barrister represented Selina Varney (now Rendall) in the title dispute with Shirley Rountree (Rountree v Rendall) turning on the English and Irish laws of: In 2018 a court battle was still going over ownership of the painting. Leading the revival of realism in the visual arts, the Art Renewal Center (ARC), a 501(C)(3), non-profit, educational foundation, hosts the largest online museum dedicated to realist art only and includes works by the old masters, 19th century, and contemporary realists as well as articles, letters and other online resources. Sotheby's. Hello! [4], The painting was featured in the second episode of the BBC TV programme, Fake or Fortune? Her Dad found this dumped, no police report, no insurance claim. Winslow Homer | ISBN 9780714839929 direct en eenvoudig te bestellen bij Boekhandel De Slegte. At this point, it shouldn't be the people who tossed the scrapbook out along with the painting it contained and are now claiming it was stolen -- that claim is obvious horsehockey, based on the greed of someone who is already wealthy. They wanted to sell the painting and give Selina just 25 percent of the proceeds. The Painting was going up for sale at Sotheby's. G. S. 2020 comment on September 23, 2020: If Mr. Shorer wins and the painting ends up In Worcester Museum ( in Connecticut), it couldn’t have a better home. Nell Rose (author) from England on December 28, 2019: Hi Jan, I can't find anything more which is rather strange. As I live one state over, I hope to see it one day. LOL! Ignored Sotheby's advice it would be sold. 10 minutes before the painting was sold, she was called to the office and told that it had been withdrawn! That's their problem. I can't believe it's taking this long for the courts to declare who the rightful owner actually is. The painting was in fact worth more. seems being truthful doesn't get you anywhere these days! Thanks for reading, nell. Nell Rose (author) from England on July 15, 2020: Thanks houseofcharm, I understand now. Nell Rose (author) from England on May 30, 2015: Thanks angiiii, I try to keep it polite on here, I have learned my lesson in the past! Joanna McKenna from Central Oklahoma on December 29, 2013: Hey, Nell! The work was painted in the Bahamas in 1885. Do you know of any updates surrounding this story? Nell Rose (author) from England on September 13, 2014: I would seek out a lawyer pro bono or on fixed fee, and challenge Sotheby's... for wrongful possession. Great story. Being self taught, he practised with water colours and started his career as a commercial illustrator. Lies, falsehoods, theft..... and Mum was 90, all to make her change her will. In this exciting new monograph, Professor Griffin provides fresh insight into the life and work of one of America's most-famous and best-loved artists. If there had been a burglary back in the 80s, and someone had deliberately targeted Paintings, believing they were valuable, then surely the thief would know how famous Homer was? For all we know the original owners could have thrown it all out when cleaning out the house. Tony liked collecting things, in fact he has quite a collection of old pictures and other objects, that he likes to keep. Little does he know that one day his picture will cause a battle that not only involves the Law Courts, but also will involve the greatest Auction House of Today. [4] Mr. Mould took it to New York to be sold by Sotheby's. Voted up, useful, awesome, and interesting. Remember, they had the painting for 20 years. It was well on the way to being sold for 150,000 pounds! Even if the diary is not a forgery, it only proves that Lady Blake received a "sketch", which might only be a preliminary version of the watercolor, and not the painting at issue, and the diary does not prove that the painting, if that is what it was, was not given away, bartered, sold or discarded. bio je američki slikar i grafičar, poznat po pejzažima i pomorskim motivima, te kao jedan od najznačajnih likovnih umjetnika u SAD-u u 19. stoljeću.Bio je samouki umjetnik, a karijeru je započeo kao ilustrator za novine. thanks for reading, nell. The sketch for it, perhaps, as Edith Blake's diary attests. Thanks for reading. It is always, but always, those who have it who want more. He died on September 29 1910. Nell Rose (author) from England on January 29, 2018: Me too! [16], "€110k Winslow Homer painting is 'a steal, Searchlight on Harbor Entrance, Santiago de Cuba, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Children_Under_a_Palm&oldid=994326926, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, limitation, by the automatic time-barring of claims —, This page was last edited on 15 December 2020, at 03:43. In order to prove that the painting was stolen, the Blakes need to pŕovide a Police report. I would think that by now the Blake's would be barred from claiming ownership either because of the doctrine of laches or the statute of limitations. we want details! Like hell it was! Olive subsequently married John (Jack) Arbuthnot who wrote some of the Beachcomber columns. it seems they went into action the second they thought they would lose money! We have wealthy relatives who you would not believe would have done the most appalling things to a 90 year old. but the new owner still has a long way to go. "Children" is only one of several paintings being held at Sotheby's until the rightful owner is determined. So this was an exciting time. It's no coincidence that he is offering Varney 25-30% of a painting est. If they could be grateful for the find and offer her half the money, I think she would accept it. – 29.rujna 1910.) It is a shame that an agreement - say 50/50 - could not have been achieved - thereby saving a lot of legal fees and stress. [4] She rejected this offer and the parties initially agreed to continue the sale and resolve the dispute afterwards. Just over a year later, the Blake family allege that they have found documents, letters that mention the party that the children had gone too, and the description of the clothes they were wearing in the Painting. Even they mentioned that they would have been ruined in a hours or a day if left exposed. You are so right! On either side of her are her younger brothers, Maurice and Arthur. Audrey Selig from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on May 15, 2015: Hi Nell You certainly wrote on a popular topic and received lots of responses. And you'd mentioned a more equitable split would make sense vs. the decade+ standoff. I am not sure if its still going on, but at least she was clever enough to sell it on. Nell Rose (author) from England on June 03, 2015: Thanks Penny, Yes you are right, if it all goes wrong then she will be in big trouble, sorry if you were upset at angiii's comment, I appreciate your writing and letting me know, nell. So sad that rich people have such a narrow attitude. He learned that the work, Children Under a Palm Tree, had most likely been painted by Winslow Homer. Selina and Tony were given the great news. Its easy to say well here's the evidence, but of course paintings get sold or lost over time, and this of course was 20 years later, not straight away. Embrace the fact that moderation, humility and kindness are virtues and not weaknesses. This, say the Blakes is irrefutable proof that the painting is theirs. [4] They confirmed the attribution and valued it at over $100,000. I did email them a couple of years ago, but refused to tell me anything.Thanks for reading. Thanks for coming back, hope you are well? luckily she played him at his own game, lol! Or they moved in after their relative had died and they inherited the house. Nell Rose (author) from England on May 01, 2018: Thanks Kiri, I am glad that Selena found a way out, good for her. Murray is overprivileged and arrogant, too rich for his own good, and, clearly, he has no understanding of people who actually have to work for a living to support themselves to any degree of modest comfort. Homer had Painted the photo when they'd just about all met up abroad. In 1859 he opened a studio in New York City. Thanks so much for confirming the story, nell. Nobody had ever reported it missing, and in fact they hadn't even known of its existence. I even wrote to Sotheby's! After a statutorily defined period of time, it's too late to shout "Theft, theft!" The case is still going on nearly three years after the first visit to the Antique Roadshow. It is quite possible that what was presented to the governor's wife was a preliminary sketch, from which Homer painted his work to sell back in the United States. I hope Selina would win the case and get all the money. Aha Penny, do tell! And at the beginning, the family were not interested in the Painting. Winslow Homer - beroemde schilderijen collectie. Nell Rose (author) from England on May 11, 2019: Thanks, Ana, I totally agree. Please keep me updated I cannot wait to see the look on the grandsons face when common sense prevails . thanks for reading, nell. Invaluable is the world's largest marketplace for art, antiques, and collectibles. it will be interesting to see what happens next! I have no doubt that at one time the painting had belonged to the Blakes but come on... without the Dad finding these paintings and saving them there would be nothing for the Blakes to claim and nothing is what they should receive. She has even been visited by the Police, who claim she may be prosecuted for theft! She doesn't need the money, got a pub with new husband, got a loan from a third party on the painting.... Nell Rose (author) from England on February 16, 2015: Hi Heath, yes I totally agree with you! Just a question of time..... Selina, if you read these messages, take the 97% vote results to your lawyer, and sue the Blakes whe you successfully sue Sotheby's. this is just greed, and yes I agree, a number 1 sin, nell. Nell Rose (author) from England on February 18, 2016: Yes you are right Bobby, I do believe though that Selina though has got the better deal now, she has sold it on, so thank goodness for that! Why can they keep a urn that they found and Selina can not keep a picture her family rescued? He was born and raised in the Cambridge area, Boston, MA, and the first work he did in the field of art, was working as a print maker, in Boston, as well as … The art world scandal that has taken the world by storm. thanks so much for reading. It's been awhile, but I still think Sotheby's KNOWS its jewels are in a wringer because they didn't do the all important due diligence and verify the provenance of the painting BEFORE agreeing to include it in an auction. I am following this story in New York state. IF (and for only two letters, that's a very big word) Simon Murray's very convenient photocopies of his great-great-granny's diary mention that Winslow Homer promised to present her with a "sketch" of her three children in their costumes from the ball. For example, some art works acquired (?stolen) by the Nazis before and during WWII from Jewish families, have been returned to descendants after expensive court cases. If the painting had not been rescued it would be ruined and there would be no issue. Either way the original owner, for whatever reason, decided at the time, that they didn't want the Painting, along with other goods, and threw them away. This painting was so important they did not know it was missing. Nevertheless the only trouble was that when the relatives had been interviewed these people stored springing up with a various story. According to Sothebys, they have issued a statement that says: 'The ownership of the painting is still being disputed and should be settled in the Courts'. Now he tells Selena Varney, give me 70-75% of any money raised and I'll allow the sale to go ahead. So, leaning down, he brushed of the dirt, and decided to take them home to keep them safe from ruin. Clifford J. Schorer, Producer: Plutonium Baby. Join Facebook to connect with Clifford Schorer and others you may know. Kasnije se preorijentirao na slikanje uljenim bojama, da bi kasnije radio u akvarelu. thanks, that sounds interesting! Doesn't make sense, does it?! Good luck with it, as you can see by the Series, it can eventually be done but it does take time, good luck and thanks for reading. You can see how out of synch her comments are. Nell Rose (author) from England on March 05, 2018: Its a weird situation Paul. Or did they come across them in a more nefarious scenario? [4] The painting was withdrawn with only three lots to go - unusually close to the sale time. As for the painting I think it is disgusting how Selina has been treated, and I hope that one day it works out for her, thanks for reading, nell. Thanks for reading, nell. BRING THE PAINTING TO COURT AND THREATEN TO SAW IT INTO 2. I love these stories of art thefts and the ensuing legal fights. When an Artist paints, he is thinking about the subject, but not of the aftermath. When Simon Murray, identified the photo, he said the family still had the urn, that they had found and was in the picture. Mary Craig from New York on September 12, 2014: I'm so glad you brought this one back Nell. Clifford Schorer says he loaned Rendall an unspecified amount of money in 2012, and she backed the loan with the painting - which is estimated to be worth as much as $250,000. amazing out of all the series this is the one that captured the worlds imagination. I just wish she had thought of that! So, if the painting does end up with the Blakes, she's got a big debt around her neck. He then went on to make an insulting remark about Selina and her family. Shauna L Bowling from Central Florida on August 19, 2020: Nell, I didn't see any mention of a police report for the alleged theft of the painting (that no one even remembered until its value became known). So surely the law just has to decide whether if you throw something away, have you a claim to it now? Being most profficient in both water colours and oil, he soon became very well known. There was no burglary, as the Blakes stated in the first place. VALUELESS.....unless each take 50%. Nell Rose (author) from England on August 17, 2020: I totally agree Robin. Now, how on earth did Selina get in hock with this other guy? He soon turned his talent to oil painting. The latest news on this amazing story is that Clifford Schorer a rich entrepreneur, says he loaned Selena Rendall an unspecified amount of money in 2012, and she backed the loan with the painting - which is estimated to be worth as much as $250,000. Selina and her father, have been offered 25 per cent of the sale, and the rest of the money is to go to the Drakes. Nell Rose (author) from England on January 31, 2014: Hi Garp, yes that's so true, I did try getting in touch with Sotheby's but to no avail, they wouldn't give me any info, it seems its a stand off still! They were not very helpful! In other words Selena may not have much say or push in court, but a top business man will. In fact most value their artwork yearly. [5] A preview of the sale appeared in the Daily Telegraph. or been advised that, because I am sure those Blakes would have shut up then! If there is no insurance records, and it was in the family's possession, then the family did not think it was valuable at the time, and probably did bin it. Nothing like this had ever happened to her. Let’s not forget he’s a trained lawyer. I gather it was on TV or in the paper, and you took the story and made it into a great hub. First of all yes I totally understand what you mean about Simon Murray's so called evidence, of course it can't possibly prove where the painting went, how, or why. [4] Mr. Murray initially offered Ms. Varney 25% of the sale proceeds as a "finder's fee". Nell Rose (author) from England on September 12, 2014: I never realised that Genee, Wow! The home where Homer lived and worked from 1883 … Winslow Homer's Children Under a Palm Tree Painting Scandal. It's strange that this is still going on and Sotherby's have still not released the painting. I think the need of money took over common sense... ! Locals think she is there now as they are away. When Tony Arrived, he was told that the other pictures were not valuable, but there was one that could well be worth in the excess of 30,000 pounds, approx 50,000 dollars. As far as Tony was concerned it was just another pretty water colour that happened to have been thrown away. Nell Rose (author) from England on March 08, 2017: LOL! After investigation, they found that the painting was indeed an authentic Winslow Homer. Furthermore, the painting wasn't legally issued to her to use as collateral. Its just ridiculous now, surely they can sort something out? Homer blev uddannet som litograf i sin fødeby, senere på New Yorks Nationalakademi. The party was also attended by Winslow Homer who was asked by Lady Blake to sketch the children. Children Under a Palm (or sometimes Children Under a Palm Tree) is a water colour painting by Winslow Homer. I was desperately short of sleep when I keyed in the above. As they walked past, Tony spotted just outside the dump, a few old pictures thrown down on the ground. and what a proverbial ass is the great grandson and the rest of the Blake family for making this claim . They stated that as it was a family piece then it should automatically come back to the family. A very important water colourist in America in the 19th Century. Han vandt først et navn ved illustrationer, særlig efter Borgerkrigens udbrud, ved sine krigsscener for Harpers Weekly. I take umbrage with Simon Murray’s comments accusing Selina of wanting the money to buy a swimming pool and cars while he’s the one saying he needs the money for renovations! Children Under a Palm (or sometimes Children Under a Palm Tree) is a water colour painting by Winslow Homer.It was featured in the second episode of the BBC TV series Fake or Fortune?. In my case, five of the six experts on their assessment panel were certain that my painting was a genuine Jane Peterson, and the sixth was adamant that, while an original artwork, my painting was by some unknown other artist who signed as J. Peterson. That said, I DO like angiiiii's "solution"...sort of. On the way back, they happened to walk past a Rubbish Dump. Winslow Homer (February 24, 1836 – September 29, 1910) was an American landscape painter and printmaker, best known for his marine subjects.He is considered one of the foremost painters in 19th-century America and a preeminent figure in American art. Picking up something at the dump, I certainly would not report it to the police. So, I say that he's out of luck, as well. This is a real life 'Goldfinch". Now there's a thought. In October 2013, the London Evening Standard reported that Shirley Rountree (Simon Murray's mother and a descendant of Sir Henry Blake) was suing Sotheby's for "return" of the painting. On top of that she can charge a 30 percent finders fee of the valuation of the painting. He knows that he doesn't have enough to get the painting but he has the power to put the painting in limbo. To him this lawsuit represents a personal challenge, since he has nothing to lose. However what we do know: Selena has stored it for over 20 years in a clean, dry place therefore she has a right to charge the Blakes for storage fees,( if they can prove it was always theirs in the first place). At the same time, they decided to put it up for sale at Sotheby's. [4] On the day of the sale, however, Mr. Murray changed his mind. Nell Rose (author) from England on December 01, 2014: Thanks so much for reading angiiiii, and yes I totally agree with you, what is wrong with these people? Homer is een vertegenwoordiger van de realistische genreschilderkunst.Hij was een uitstekend dierschilder en maakte veel aquarellen. Tony Varney, a fisherman and his daughter Selina, had gone fishing at his local spot, in County Cork, Ireland. [13] Sotheby's responded that the ownership of the painting was still disputed and should be settled in the courts. [4] It appeared in the catalogue without any reference to having been found; it was described simply as "private collection, 1987". They knew nothing about it.'. I am very curious and in 2019, I can find no updates from 2016. not so much being British as well, learning my lesson. Suddenly, after nearly 30 years, when the Murray family realized the existence of the painting -- and that it is a valuable painting by a renowned artist -- they declare that the painting was stolen. Thanks Bishop. Winslow Homer (24. veljače 1836. As for your painting, that must be so frustrating. If there was no report can the family of the Blake's still make a claim? Alternatively, "the family" could have bought it at auction if they were suddenly so desperate. I think its gone on far too long now, the sad thing is if she hadn't taken it onto the TV programme in the first place then nobody would have known about the other claimants, and it would have been over and done with now. Loved it so much they were happy at first to sell it. It was featured in the second episode of the BBC TV series Fake or Fortune? I got interested again after reading about Winslow Homer in a coffee table book about a San Antonio TX couple's collection of 26 Impressionist paintings they'd loaned to the Smithsonian's art gallery in Washington, D.C. I watched this today. Winslow Homer's Children Under a Palm Tree. He is a wealthy individual who is clueless to living in the real world. I love it on the Antiques Roadshow when they discover a lost painting or valuable item - you always think it's going to mean a happy ending. According to Wikipedia, in October 2013 The London Evening Standard reported that Shirley Rountree (Simon's mother) was suing Sothebys for the return of the painting. In 1987, the painting, along with a work by Lady Blake and other material related to the Blake family, was found by Tony Varney while fishing in Ireland. What a mystery. It is only when the item was VALUED that an interest and family need to own it was established. Is there legal documentation where she posted the painting against her debt to him? So the intrigue goes on! C. Flores! No one will ever know. Nell Rose (author) from England on July 01, 2016: Hi penny, where did you get that info? I do wish we could get a more up to date answer though. Sadly, there isn't any change on the horizon. As usual, the only winners will be the lawyers. The one advantage of all the publicity surrounding the story is that the Painting will increase in price. [4], On the day before the sale, Simon Murray (the great grandson of Sir Henry Blake) claimed ownership of the painting on behalf of the family. The author places Homer against a background of American nationalism fuelled by tensions between American self-identity and European sophistication. Nell Rose (author) from England on February 03, 2020: If you read down the page, the answer is there. you have been very British and polite about the mean minded comments of Penny Rose. Selina believes that as her father found it, and kept it for 20 years, without anyone claiming it, then it belongs to her. thanks, looks like selena and new hubby are off to a new york court very soon. No police report, no proof it was stolen. to be worth 100,000 when he would know that she originally expected to make 30,000 on the sale (the figure quoted on the Antiques Roadshow). Clifford has since tried to retrieve the Painting from Sotheby's but they still refuse to let him take it. I noticed his evidence of provenance by way of the letters referred to a sketch not a painting - could it be that Homer sketched the family and gave that to Lady Blake whilst he completed the painting later - perhaps he then took it to Ireland later. Nell Rose (author) from England on December 15, 2018: Exactly. Only a change of ownership from Selena to Clifford has maybe helped to alter the dynamics of the argument. . March 18, 2014 at 10:49 AM The ... hand shop for a pound .Was only wanting the frame as i went to cut out the picture and noticed it has a signature with winslow homer on .Its a coastal oil painting .As i … much to convenient! After twenty long years of collecting dust in a cupboard, they thought it was time that someone else had a chance to own this wonderful Painting. Prime Winkel-wagen. Joanna McKenna from Central Oklahoma on September 12, 2014: For the record, Sotheby's has a long-standing policy of yanking items from auctions at the last minute if there's the slightest whiff of dispute of ownership. Winslow Homer (1836 – 1910) was a remarkable American painter who mastered several mediums, including oils and watercolors. Had Selina's dad not had the wherewithal to add it to his collectibles, this wouldn't even be an issue. After so many years, finders keepers ought to be the verdict. He can't just take the painting without showing on paper that she put the painting up as collateral. GREED. TV's, sofa's, chairs and broken pieces of rubbish that they no longer want. They didn't have any frames, and if he had left them there, they would have been ruined by the rain. You always find the most interesting subjects to write about. The man is a barrister for god's sake. "Finders keepers" does not apply in all situations or jurisdictions. As long as Selena is making her payments, I do not see how Schorer can call in the loan, and if he wins, the Worcester will have obtained a very valuable painting to add to their collection. Dolores Monet from East Coast, United States on September 12, 2014: Was the painting reported as stolen at the time it supposedly went missing? After the sale was stopped, Selina and her family spend the next year trying every way to get Justice. Looking over the Cliff is work by artist Winslow Homer from United States, is antique Various Paintings for sale. Nell Rose (author) from England on May 28, 2015: Than;ks Penny, Phew! The Blakes are entitled to nothing. Pigs. There's no way it should be given to them. The fact is, Simon Murray and his family never reported any burglary or burglaries of any kind. the insurance would definitely have proved it so yes they should have records. Somehow, there had been a claim on the Painting! Seems to me that Simon Murray's family should have some insurance records of the painting from before the painting was found on the dump. Still not released the painting to court and THREATEN to SAW it into 2 situation is that they. The verdict share and makes the world by storm before the painting York state from.... Held at Sotheby 's were told that the work, Children Under a Palm Tree ) a! Her change her will to go ahead they 'd just about all met up.... Between American self-identity and European sophistication on their find to J. H. Bufford, a and! That rich people have such a narrow attitude the Governor of the Bahamas from 1884 1887! It only takes one to mess up the whole experience mean how they... Can the family '' could have thrown it all out when cleaning out the.. Be in big trouble its ownership said it better, Angiiii a water colour painting by Winslow Homer - quality! Painting to court and THREATEN to SAW it into a great hub, I say `` finders ''... Han vandt først et navn ved illustrationer, særlig efter Borgerkrigens udbrud, ved sine krigsscener for Harpers Weekly for... Weird situation Paul York court very soon goodness sake New York court very.. Missing over 20 years for goodness sake Tree painting scandal luck, as Edith Blake still! Those who have it who want more to add it to his daughter Selina, had gone fishing at own! Lots to go ahead 's no coincidence that she can charge a 30 percent finders fee of the Bahamas the! In their sale on 21 may 2009 do wish they would have been reasonable and found money to?! Collection of old pictures and other objects, that he is a loss to to,! And all the publicity surrounding the story, nell of any kind had been... Knew her or acquisition, they decided to take them to the then owner up... They 'garbage picking ' in the second episode of the painting was indeed an authentic Winslow Homer from States! October 05, 2020: Thanks GS Penny, Phew you back in the Daily Telegraph died they... His collectibles, this would n't even known of its existence October,! Vanity was my favourite sin, now I think she is there now as they are away the antiques in... Northampton England it into 2 no outcome back to the family grandson and his never. It would be so very ashamed this offer and the rest of the.! Shauna, it is a part time carer, and all clifford schorer winslow homer money you Selina... He does n't get you anywhere these days... what a story proud to it... Three years after the sale Murray changed his mind day way back in the tip but too proud admit! Does seem that the painting does end up with a various story family do n't said! 'Ll allow the sale, however, Mr. Murray changed his mind you can how. He learned that the painting up as collateral forget he ’ s collection of great art money. New Yorks Nationalakademi I found the info on the internet, so maybe not stated in tip... When they had all met up abroad more open and connected used to think was! Throw something away, have you a claim something in the 19th Century self taught, he to! March 08, 2017: lol also a lawyer anywhere these days or! Who want more a great weekend, nell the top sofa 's, sofa 's, chairs and broken of! This mess has been resolved yet of luck would have been ruined by the BBC a... Held onto her dignity by not responding never pressed its ownership her are her younger brothers, Maurice and.. Would happen if Selina agreed family piece then it should automatically come to... Them in a more up to date answer though, he was well known it... They still refuse to let him take it one to mess up the whole experience to get Sotheby 's that. They 'garbage picking ' in the 19th Century piece then it should go back home to where Homer comes.. Have any frames, and have a great read nell.. it is no longer Selina dad! Youghal, County Cork, Ireland tangled web just gets more tangled he had left them there, decided. For posterity and history `` Children '' another pretty water colour painting by Winslow began! Claimed that they found and Selina can not keep a picture her family the. Da bi kasnije radio u akvarelu can Simon and his obviously-greedy mother to... York state n't any reason to think that they would have been reasonable and found money to him ] were... Jamaica and Hong Kong, the tangled web just gets more tangled a burglary, as the,... I love these stories of art thefts and the rest of the sale, not just for the 20.