Helene Plotkin's journey with a painting began sixty years ago when she acquired a piece depicting a seated woman at a thrift store in White Plains. Drawn to its vibrant colors and brushwork, she purchased it for under $100. Little did she know, this artwork would eventually be verified as an original by renowned Scottish artist F.C.B. Cadell (1883-1937), leading her family to a remarkable financial windfall.
Recently sold at auction for £189,200 (approximately $250,000), the painting features a stylish woman in a dark dress and a 1920s turban within a modernist interior. Despite cherishing the piece, Plotkin, now 88, never considered its potential value. "I never, never thought about it at all," she stated in a recent interview, emphasizing her affection for the artwork over its appraisal.
The identification of the painting began last December when her son, Barry, 60, took an interest in its origins. With the title "Portrait of Miss Don Wauchope" inscribed on the back, he turned to Google's AI assistant, Gemini, for assistance. After uploading a photo of the painting, Barry was amazed by the wealth of information Gemini provided.
The AI suggested that the painting might be a work of Cadell, highlighting its orange accents and Art Deco style. It also connected the artist to the Scottish Colorists, a group that includes notable figures such as John Duncan Fergusson and Samuel John Peploe. Following the AI's guidance, Barry reached out to Nick Curnow and Alice Strang at the auction house Lyon & Turnbull in Edinburgh.
Upon review, the experts confirmed the AI's identification, clarifying that the subject was not Bethia Hamilton Don Wauchope, but another model named May Easter. They praised the piece as one of Cadell's masterworks, noting its significance within the artist's celebrated series of the 1920s. "This painting is a magnificent bringing together of many of his most celebrated motifs," Strang remarked.
This remarkable story illustrates the potential of AI in the art world, not only in identifying lost masterpieces but also in transforming the lives of those who possess them. As technology continues to evolve, it opens new avenues for art appreciation and discovery, promising a future where hidden treasures can be unearthed with ease.