An Antiques Roadshow guest was left speechless after being told the estimated value of a 1925 impressionist painting that had been passed down through generations of her family.
The guest showed the 30×36 inch painting by artist Fern Coppedge, which the artist herself had given to her surgeon grandfather in Philadelphia.
The vibrant piece of art, painted in oil on canvas, depicted a snow-covered river and bridge scene in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, called ‘Goat Hill.’
Coppedge was an American painter associated with the New Hope School of American Impressionism, and her winter scenes are considered some of the artist’s best-known paintings.
The guest had brought with her a 30×36 painting by Fern Coppedge that the artist herself had given to her surgeon grandfather in Philadelphia.
The guest quickly told the appraiser that Coppedage had given the piece to his grandfather as “gratitude for the surgery he performed on him.”
She explained that the piece remained with her parents for a few years and then passed to her.
After understanding the story behind the painting, the appraiser explained: ‘Coppedge was originally from Illinois and later studied in Chicago and then moved to Philadelphia where she had a studio.
However, she is best known for the work she did around New Hope, where she moved in 1920.
‘She is associated with a group of artists known as the Pennsylvania Impressionists. Of that group, she is probably the best-known female artist.
The priceless artifact depicted a snow-covered river and bridge scene in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, called ‘Goat Hill.’
The guest quickly told the appraiser that the piece had been given by Coppedage to his grandfather as “gratitude for the surgery he performed on him.”
“She was an independent woman and I admire her very much for that. Her sense of colour was extraordinary. She was basically a Fauvist painter and very adventurous in her way of working and portraying the area.”
He also noted that the size of the piece made it even rarer, as the legendary artist typically painted on an 18×18 or 20×24 canvas.
When asked about the newer-looking frame, the guest explained that she had replaced the original because it had broken into pieces over the years and was held on simply with tape.
Hearing this, the appraiser expressed dismay and said, “It is possible that she originally had a frame from Harer or Badura, who were the two main frame makers in that area and she often used them for her works.”
“You’ve taken my breath away! I’m stunned, totally stunned. I hadn’t even thought of bringing this. This was a last minute thing…” “Ah, well, why don’t we take this one too?” said the surprised guest after hearing the review.
Born Fern Isabel Kuns on July 28, 1883, Coppedge was an American painter associated with the New Hope School of American Impressionism and her winter scenes are considered some of the artist’s best-known paintings.
At the end of the appraisal, the appraiser told the guest that while he estimated the painting could be worth between $120,000 and $180,000, it could easily fetch around $200,000.
“You’ve taken my breath away! I’m stunned, totally stunned. I hadn’t even thought of bringing this. This was a last minute thing…” “Well, why don’t we take this one too?” the surprised guest said after hearing the review.
The expert went on to say that he could see the beautiful painting fetching more than $200,000 at auction.
The guest, who put her hand to her chest in astonishment, smiled from ear to ear upon receiving the good news.
Born Fern Isabel Kuns on July 28, 1883, Coppedge first visited New Hope in 1917 and settled nearby three years later.
As the decades passed, he often donned a bearskin coat to paint his now iconic scene outdoors in the frigid winter air. He died on April 13, 1951.
His paintings are currently on display at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the James A. Michener Museum of Art in Doylestown, and the Reading Public Museum in Pennsylvania.