HORSE ENTHUSIAST BUYS VAN OSTADE PAINTING FOR $450 AT AUCTION
New York City (JFK+50) Do you like horses? Would you pay $7,829.36 for a painting of horses?
On July 5, 1922, the Associated Press reported that Christopher J. Fitzgerald, a horse racing enthusiast and official of the Jockey Club, recently purchased a painting of several horses for $450 at auction.
When Mr. Fitzgerald had the painting cleaned, he learned it was the work of 17th Century Dutch master Isaac Van Ostade* and that an offer of $25,000 had been made for the painting.
Mr. Fitzgerald told the AP that the painting "is not for sale."
*Isaac Van Ostade (1621-1649) born in Haarlem, Netherlands was a landscape painter influenced by Rembrant. IVO started his practice in 1641. He is known for his broad contrasts of light & shade & mastery of figures of horses, dogs, poultry & cattle.
JFK+50 NOTES
$450 in 1922 dollars would be worth $7,829.36 in 2022. $25,000 in 1922 dollars would be worth $434,964.29 in 2022.
The AP story published on the front page of The Evening Star has the first name of Ostade spelled as "Issak" which is an alternate spelling.
SOURCE
"Refuses $25,000 Bid For Canvas He Bought At Auction For $450," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., July 5, 1922, Chronicling America, Library of America, www.loc.gov/
