Renoir Masterpiece Found at Auction for $12

Heidi Markow, an antique store owner from Easton, Pennsylvania, may have uncovered a significant art treasure after purchasing a charcoal drawing for just $12 at an auction. The artwork is believed to be an original piece by the renowned French impressionist Pierre-Auguste Renoir, potentially worth up to $1 million. Markow, captivated by the drawing's elegance, noted a faint signature and a stamp indicating its high-end provenance, which led her to suspect it could be a portrait of Renoir’s wife, Aline Charigot, dating back to his Ingres period in the late 1800s. After consulting with experts, including Sotheby’s and a seasoned art appraiser, she received encouraging feedback about its authenticity. To verify its genuineness, Markow has sent the piece to the Wildenstein Plattner Institute in New York for authentication. The discovery has sparked significant interest due to its potential historical and monetary value.