Great Discoveries: Degas Art Found for $1 May Be Worth $13M – WorthPoint

Legendary French Impressionist artist Edgar Degas produced pastel drawings and many other masterpieces in the 19th century. Some of these works have been displayed at The Metropolitan Museum of Art and other venues across the globe. At least one was recently sold online for $1,000, but it could be worth millions.

According to Artnet, a shopper discovered a pastel drawing labeled as a “fake” Degas in 2021 in an online auction. The drawing was listed for $1 and received a lot of interest. It sold for $1,000.

The buyer brought the drawing to art expert Michel Schulman for analysis. Schulman determined the work was likely Degas’s Éloge du maquillage (“In praise of cosmetics”). This drawing, produced in 1876, depicts a brothel scene and has been missing since 1952. The piece had allegedly been stored in a monastery during the Spanish Civil War.

Schulman sought help from art historians to confirm that the painting was indeed created by Degas. He and others used x-rays, photographs, and other techniques during their analysis. They also evaluated Degas’s signature on the drawing to confirm that it had not been added later.

The analysis verified that the drawing was an authentic Degas work. It also confirmed that it made its way to Spain in the late 1880s and remained in the country into the mid-20th century.

Following the analysis, the drawing’s value may have gone up. Art experts have suggested the drawing could be worth up to $13 million. It is unknown at this time whether the online shopper who bought the piece for $1,000 will keep or sell it.

Those wanting to view more Degas artwork can view over 7,600 items in the WorthPoint Price Guide.

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Dan Kobialka is a self-employed content writer and editor with about a decade of experience. He produces content across a wide range of industries, including antiques, insurance, and real estate. To learn more about Dan, please visit his website. 

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