“You always hear about things like this, but seldom actually discover them!” said Redge Martin, President of Clars Auction Gallery, after the exciting discovery of a painting by Elliot Daingerfield (American 1859-1932) found hidden inside that backing of mirror right inside the gallery. 

It was Deric Torres, Vice President of Decorative Arts and Furnishings, who was working with a mirror from a prominent Pebble Beach (CA) estate with a significant Newcomb Macklin frame. As he was moving the mirror into the gallery for the upcoming sale, he noticed part of the backing on the mirror was loose.  “I peeled away the backing and noticed there was canvas and a stretcher bar behind the mirror suggesting that a painting might be hidden underneath.” And indeed there was. He immediately called Rick Unruh, Vice President of Fine Arts for Clars, and together they were extremely excited to find “Twilight,” the newly discovered oil on canvas by renowned Barbizon School painter Elliot Daingerfield, that had been concealed behind this mirror for decades.

Clars immediately contacted the consignor to alert him of their discovery. He was equally astonished at the surprise and commended the staff on their keen eye and experience stating his appreciation for “the extraordinary discovery of the valuable painting within the frame of what we believed was only a mirror.” In fact, the consignor’s mother had purchased the mirror over 40 years ago, purchasing what she believed was only a lovely mirror.

Twilight by Elliot Daingerfield will be offered at Clars on Sunday, April 17th 2016 as part of their Fine Art, Decorative Art, Furniture, Jewelry/Timepieces and Asian Art Auction. The sale will begin promptly at 9:30am. Previews will be held Friday, February 19th from 1pm to 6pm, Saturday and Sunday beginning at 9:00 am and by appointment the week prior. For more information, please visit www.clars.com or email: info@clars.com

Clars Auction Gallery is based in Oakland (CA) and is the largest full service auction gallery in the Western United States. Clars Auction Gallery has been the chosen auction gallery of a number of institutions and distinguished private collectors across the country.  

Bidding for Clars’ auctions is available in person, by phone, absentee and live online at www.Live.Clars.com  and through www.liveauctioneers.com, and www.Invaluable.com.  Clars Auction Gallery is located at 5644 Telegraph Avenue, Oakland, CA 94609.