Featured Jonas Lie Painting From Tomorrow's Local Auction

I was on the local auction preview today and snapped few pictures but was not planning to go tomorrow as there was nothing I was interested in.
Then I checked that painting and if not wrong the signature is of Jonas Lie (1880-1940).
It was a large size. I will check the catalogue in the morning, if the artist's name is mentioned in the lot. Very often they have no clue what they are selling. The siggy was a bit dirty so I had to clean it a bit.
If that is indeed the same artist what do you think should I bid?

 

Depends on size of the painting. A lot of his work you can buy offline/ebay for around 50 to 100 dollars. I see some on ebay for around 50 dollars.

 

Jonas Lie original oil for $50? Then, the ones that sell for thousands must be special.
Can't tell for sure but it was maybe wider than 30".

 

The ones on eBay are prints not original paintings. There is one original oil painting in completed's that sold for 9k.

 

They have them stated as original for some reason. I doubt you will get it for cheap then (if it's an original)

 

I hardly doubt an auctioneer isn't going to know what this is. They probably will have a reserve on it

 

It's a live auction. They never have reserves. Many times they don't investigate the items.
Some time ago I bought from them an original Chagall print that they had no clue of. Only me and another bidder knew and that's why I paid $1000 for it ( sold for 3k after that). If it was not the other bidder I'd have it for $20.
Anyway, if the artist is not in the catalog but just a description, it will all depends on the knowledge of the other bidders.

 

I'm curious - this is an auction item and you took a photo, but then you say the signature was dirty and you had to clean it. Did you actually touch the painting and buff up the signature, or did you mean you did a photoshop adjustment on the photo? Looking at the signature above it actually looks wet.

 

I wet it down there as it was very dark. I'll go later on today as this is one of the last items and see what will happen.

 

Post an update after the auction! I realize this is a public forum and you might not want to give many details, but at least let us know if you got it or not...

 

I will

 

Very last item in the auction. Only me and another bidder. I gave up on $1600.
Did not want to risk. Past auction results on the artist were from under thousand to over 100k.But how do I know what's worth.
Well, hope I don't see the piece sold for $$$$ in the future auctions.

 

Thanks for the update. Too bad about that, but you couldn't really take a chance.

 

Yep, I am still not sure if this piece was worth spending that much and making a good profit. The sold prices vary a lot. You can find similar subject and sizes, one sold for 2-3k and other much more. And then you have that $100k piece.
I am just a bit mad that it was only two of us bidding. The auctioneer admited he could not read the siggy and started at $100.

Some past auction results
http://www.blouinartinfo.com/artist/124368/lots#load