Unbelievable Discovery: $50 Emily Carr Painting Turns into $290K Treasure at Toronto Auction!

TORONTO — In a stunning turn of events, an Emily Carr painting that was purchased for a mere US$50 at a U.S. estate sale has skyrocketed to a jaw-dropping C$290,000 at an auction in Toronto. The artwork, titled "Masset, Q.C.I.", auctioned by Heffel Fine Art Auction House, fetched far more than the presale estimate of C$100,000 to C$200,000 on Wednesday night.

After including the buyer's commission, the total price jumped to an astonishing C$349,250, proving that one person's trash can indeed be another's treasure. The oil on canvas painting vividly portrays a carved grizzly bear residing atop a memorial totem pole in the village of Masset, located on Haida Gwaii in British Columbia.

The painting was uncovered just a few months ago during a barn sale in the upscale Hamptons, where an art dealer based in New York seized the opportunity and acquired it for the bargain price of US$50. What’s even more intriguing is that "Masset, Q.C.I." was painted back in 1912, during Carr's mission to chronicle the rich artistic heritage of First Nations communities in British Columbia.

Historically, the painting is believed to have been a gift to Carr’s friend Nell Cozier and her husband in the 1930s. After moving from Victoria to the Hamptons, they took on caretaking roles for a grand estate, where the artwork languished unseen for decades in their barn — a hidden gem awaiting rediscovery.

Emily Carr remains one of Canada's most celebrated artists, known for her rich landscapes and indigenous themes. This recent auction highlights not only the value of her work but also serves as a reminder of the art world's unpredictable nature.

Could we be witnessing the rise of more hidden masterpieces in unlikely places? Stay tuned for tales of discovery that may soon be making headlines!