Antiques Roadshow Guest Speechless at £1,200-£1,800 Northern Irish Painting Valuation

On a recent episode of the BBC's Antiques Roadshow filmed at Shuttleworth House in Bedfordshire, a guest was left speechless after art expert Frances Christie revealed the significant value of a vibrant oil painting by Gladys Maccabe, a celebrated Northern Irish artist. The painting depicts a lively beach scene with people and children riding horses, showcasing Maccabe's confident use of color and distinctive black pigment outlining. Born in 1918, Maccabe was a pioneering figure who studied art in Belfast before World War II and later became the first president of the Ulster Society of Women Artists, actively promoting female talent in Northern Ireland. The artwork had sentimental value as it originally belonged to an elderly couple close to the guest's family. Christie's appraisal highlighted Maccabe's lasting legacy both as an artist and advocate for women in the arts, emphasizing the painting's typical style and lively composition. The guest was deeply moved by the painting's appraisal and the story behind it, reflecting the cultural and historical significance of Maccabe's work.