Canadian Historical and Contemporary Art Auction

Masters Gallery to Auction Maud Lewis Painting Famously Found in Thrift Store

Calgary, Alta (December 06, 2023) - Masters Gallery (2115 Fourth Street SW) has opened its first ever online auction and includes a rare Maud Lewis painting famously found in a thrift store in Southern Ontario in March of 2017. The painting, titled Portrait of Eddie Barnes and Ed Murphy, Lobster Fishermen, Bay View, N.S. was donated to a charity auction in 2017 and sold for $45,000 ($40,000 above market value at the time). The sale spurred an exponential growth in popularity and value that’s made Maud Lewis one of the most collectible historical Canadian artists of our time.

In 2017, Volunteers at the New Hamburg Thrift Center unexpectedly discovered Portrait of Eddie Barnes and Ed Murphy, Lobster Fishermen, Bay View, N.S. while sorting through their donation bins. A volunteer recognized the work of the Nova Scotia painter, and after having the painting authenticated by J.C. Miller Antiques and Lewis expert Alan Deacon, the Mennonite Central Committee put the work up for auction. The work famously sold for $45,000, approximately nine times the market value for a Maud Lewis painting at the time. This caught the attention of national media and spurred an exponential upward trend in value and collectability of Maud Lewis’s work. The 2017 auction coincided with the releaseof Maudie—the international award-winning film about the artist’s life that brought about a sudden increase in worldwide appreciation of her art. 

Masters Gallery’s auction will remain open until 12PM MST on Sunday, December 17, 2023 and media are invited to attend on Friday, December 8 from 10 a.m. to 12 Noon. 

“It’s a thrill to have one of Maud Lewis’ most famous paintings highlighting our first auction in the gallery’s history.” says Ryan Green, President of Masters Gallery. “Her work has become so iconic and this is such an important piece in her story. Everyone’s heard about it and it would make a really significant addition to any collection.”

The painting is from a private collection in Calgary and is expected to draw a lot of interest as Maud Lewis has been growing in popularity for quite some time. 

A media reception will be held on Friday, December 8 from 10 a.m. to 12 noon to view the work as well as the additional 70 pieces of Canadian art up for auction.