At least once a day I stumble across some item in my house of which I have no idea where it came. The thought of it barely crosses my mind for a second.
Give me a painting with no apparent origin however, and I’m stuck to Google, like a (more pathetic) version of Jonathan Creek, hunting down its history.
The lastest mystery painting is one which has been discovered in the NSW Art Gallery, Australia. http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/art-and-design/all-show-no-tell-for-lindsays-lass-20110219-1b09d.html
It seems to have been on loan to the collection, from the NSW police in 1980 but despite a five month search for an owner, little more has come to light.
The fact that most provenance, or the history, of paintings are typically passed on via word of mouth, generation to generation,probably explains the existence of these ‘orphan’ paintings.
It doesn’t explain our fascination with them though.
Is it that our imaginations can get carried away as soon as the thought of an artist gets involved? Is it that we imagine owners of art to be that much more interesting than ourselves?
Is it that the idea can fuel the possibility of us finding a similar painting in our attic? Or is it just me?
artsnitcher 