In the world of art, thrift stores are often the unlikely heroes. From Yoshitomo Nara ashtrays to Picasso ceramics, these hidden gems are waiting to be discovered. And one Barcelona shopper’s find is the stuff of legend. Meet the Degas masterpiece that went from €1 to $13 million in just a few short years.
In 2021, an eagle-eyed shopper spotted a pastel drawing labelled a “fake” Degas on an online auction site. Despite the dubious label, the buyer was convinced of its authenticity and snapped it up for a mere €1 (approximately $1,000 USD). Little did they know, their thrift store treasure was about to become a multi-million dollar masterpiece.
Enter Michel Schulman, a renowned Degas expert who’s helped authenticate 1,750 works by the French Impressionist. With an exhaustive analysis of pigments, X-rays, and photographs, Schulman’s team verified the drawing as Degas’ long-lost Éloge du maquillage (In praise of cosmetics). This brothel scene, created in 1876, had been missing for decades, and its rediscovery sent shockwaves through the art world.
The drawing’s journey is as fascinating as its valuation. Degas first sold it to artist Julián Bastinos in 1887 and traveled to Cairo, where it was framed in 1910. After Julián’s death, his brother returned it to Spain, where it was confiscated by Francoist forces and eventually sold to the Salas family in 1940.
Experts now believe the drawing’s worth can reach up to $13 million USD when it reappears at auction houses. This thrift store treasure has become a masterpiece; its story is a testament to the power of art and the thrill of the hunt.
In a world where art and thrift stores collide, anything is possible. From humble beginnings to multi-million dollar valuations, this Degas masterpiece is the ultimate Cinderella story. So, the next time you browse your local thrift store, remember: you never know what treasures you might find.
