Woman sells artwork for $200 before being told it’s actually worth $200,000

An Australian mum made the grave mistake of selling an artwork for $200 before she realised it’s actually worth 10 times that amount.

Sarah Bonner, from the Gold Coast, revealed that she had initially listed the abstract black and white piece for $100 on Facebook Marketplace.

While she found an interested buyer, she was pleasantly surprised when another person offered double the price.

Facebook/Sarah Bonner

“He arrived late afternoon [on Tuesday]. He chatted away and was really nice,” the mother told the Gold Coast Bulletin.

However, the very next day, Bonner was informed by someone who had seen her ad online that the actual value of the painting was worth $200,000.

It appears to be one of 200 works from Soulages’ 1957 collection, ‘Lithographie No. 3’, by highly acclaimed French artist and sculptor Pierre Soulages.

He was also known as the ‘master of black’ and sadly died last year.

While it’s unknown how much the Gold Coast native initially paid for the piece, she told the Queensland outlet she absolutely would have jacked up the price had she known its true origin.

Patrick Aventurier/Getty Images

“If I knew someone in that situation I would like to see them actually offered a better deal and be honest with them about how much it’s worth,” she said.

“It could have really brightened my year and really made a difference to my family.”

Bonner added that she attempted to contact the man who purchased the painting, who has since been identified as Leigh Capel, a successful and respected art dealer from Sydney.

However, unsurprisingly, he hasn’t picked up any of her calls.

Ouch.

Similarly, a few years ago, a woman purchased a painting for $4 at a thrift shop in New Hampshire only to realise it was worth $250,000.

According to Artnet, the woman had stumbled upon the painting at a Savers and was later told by art conservator Lauren Lewis that the piece was by the renowned painter and illustrator N.C. Wyeth.

Thankfully, the woman held onto the painting and stored it in her closet for safekeeping.

Topics: News, Art, Facebook

Charisa Bossinakis

Charisa Bossinakis is an Associative Journalist at LADbible. Charisa has worked across various media platforms including, print, digital, radio and podcasting while maintaining the highest regard for quality work and integrity. She also covered everything from breaking news, to pop culture, entertainment and politics and is part of the editorial team for LADbible.

@CBossinakis