Some people go to antique stores looking for quirky home decor; others unknowingly stumble upon treasures that could change their lives. Heidi Markow, the owner of Salvage Goods Antiques in Easton, Pennsylvania, may be in the latter category after purchasing what she believes is an original Pierre-Auguste Renoir drawing—for just $12.
The serendipitous find happened in January when Markow attended an auction at an antique store in Montgomery County. Among the myriad items up for bid, one caught her eye: a 17.5-inch-by-16.5-inch drawing of a nude woman.
“I didn’t pick it up. I didn’t turn it around. I basically looked at it and thought, ‘I just want that piece,’” Markow told WPVI, a Philadelphia-based news station.
While other artworks at the auction fetched bids in the thousands, Markow’s chosen piece went unnoticed by most attendees. Ultimately, it was hers for just $12—a price she initially chalked up to luck. However, upon closer inspection at home, her instincts as a certified art appraiser kicked in.
The drawing’s antique frame was in “meticulous condition,” the paper showed characteristics consistent with 19th-century art, and a stamp on the back revealed its provenance as a high-end import sold to a prominent collector. But what truly caught her attention was the faint signature on the artwork, which she believes belongs to Renoir himself.
Further research led Markow to suspect the piece is a portrait of Renoir’s wife, Aline Charigot, created during his Ingres period in the late 1800s. This phase of Renoir’s career was known for its emphasis on light and shading.
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To confirm her suspicions, Markow sought a second opinion from a fellow art appraiser through Sotheby’s. After reviewing the piece, the expert told her he agreed with her assessment and offered a simple yet thrilling response: “Congratulations.”
Markow has since contacted the Wildenstein Plattner Institute (WPI), a New York City-based nonprofit that authenticates historical artworks. The institute is scheduled to examine the drawing on April 10, a process Markow described as “rigorous” but necessary. “They’re pretty tough with their examination. I’m cautiously optimistic,” she said.
If authenticated, the Renoir piece could be worth six or seven figures. Markow hopes to sell it to a collector who will cherish and display the work, describing it as nothing short of a “framed masterpiece.”
Renoir, a co-founder of the impressionist movement alongside Claude Monet, is celebrated for his vibrant depictions of Parisian leisure. Should this drawing join the ranks of his verified works, Markow’s $12 purchase may go down as one of the most unexpected art discoveries in recent history.
Watch the video of Heidi Markow speaking during an interview below.
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