Antiques Roadshow

APPRAISER: So usually when we hear the name Ludwig Bemelmans, one name springs to mind...

GUEST: Right.

APPRAISER: ...and that would be Madeline, the little Parisian girl.

But there's no Madeline in this picture.

So, what can you tell us about it?

How did you come by it?

GUEST: Well, my uncle, who lived in Chicago, and my aunt, were friends with Ludwig Bemelmans.

And my uncle was in advertising, and he met Mr. Bemelmans through some programs they worked on.

There was a whiskey, and there was a dog food (laughs) and things like that.

And so he corresponded with my uncle and aunt, and he sent several things, and they would meet.

But this is one piece that hung in my aunt's house.

And when she died, it came to me, partially because nobody else wanted it, because it wasn't Madeline.

(both laugh) GUEST: And people said, "It's too dark.

It's too dark."

And my son has been teasing me for years, saying, "Get rid of the frame."

And I said, "Well, it's the frame it was in.

If it comes to you, or when it comes to you, you change the frame."

(laughs) But the picture's intact, and I'll keep it.

APPRAISER: So, given their closeness and their friendship, do you think this was given as a gift?

GUEST: I believe it was.

APPRAISER: He was a fascinating character, Mr. Bemelmans.

He seemed to have so many different vocations.

He was a restaurateur, he was a hotelier.

He was a screenwriter...

GUEST: Oh, yes.

APPRAISER: ...he was an illustrator, of course, and he was a writer.

So he did a bit of everything.

And he said his-his greatest inspiration was, uh, a low bank account.

GUEST: (laughs) APPRAISER: So...do you know what the subject is?

GUEST: I'm not sure.

I thought it was somewhere in South America, where there's a jungle.

APPRAISER: Okay.

GUEST: But I'm not positive.

APPRAISER: Well, I think the clue is here, actually.

I don't know if you've noticed this before, but written down here is "Rio"...

GUEST: Ah!

Rio.

APPRAISER: ...and dated "'58."

GUEST: I didn't-- APPRAISER: And I think it's safe to assume that this is the famous statue of "Christ the Redeemer."

GUEST: Well, I thought it was, but I didn't know where it was.

(laughs) APPRAISER: He's telling us here.

So it's real...

GUEST: Yes.

APPRAISER: ...and it's a wonderful evocation of the-the foliage.

I love the... the verve and the gusto of the painting, and particularly the underdrawing that's going on here.

GUEST: Mmm.

APPRAISER: It's really quite frenetic and really energetic.

I love that.

GUEST: And I actually love the colors no matter what anybody... APPRAISER: The colors are great.

Yeah, the colors have actually held up.

I wasn't too sure at first.

I thought it was a little faded, but I was talking with one of my colleagues, and when you look at areas like this, the-the color really pops.

It's really vivid and exciting, and it gives that tropical feel to it.

So, it's-it's a very attractive piece.

GUEST: Okay.

APPRAISER: Now, is it something you've ever considered the value of it?

GUEST: Um, well, I thought, should I be insuring it?

I mean, when I first got it, it was in the backseat of my car on a long car trip... wrapped with a blanket over it.

And I didn't know if I'd have an accident, if it would kill me.

(laughs) (both laugh) APPRAISER: I hope not.

Killed by Bemelmans.

That's... what a way to go.

GUEST: It didn't.

APPRAISER: Well, as I mentioned at the beginning, "Madeline" is obviously the name that's most associated with Bemelmans.

And there's a-a certain price point for that.

This is not a "Madeline" work, however, it still has good value.

And at auction, I would suggest an estimate of $10,000 to $15,000.

GUEST: Mmm.

That's good.

APPRAISER: And if-if you were to insure it, which you'd mentioned, I think $20,000 would be...

GUEST: $20,000.

APPRAISER: ...fair.

I-I don't think it should be anything less than that.

Now, of course, if Madeline was walking around in the jungle here, that would make a big difference to it.

GUEST: (laughs) Yes.

APPRAISER: But I really like this one, and I'm glad you like it, too.

GUEST: I think it's beautiful.