Antiques Roadshow

GUEST

Many years ago, I would guess about 1940, my parents used to go to New Hope, outside of Philadelphia, and they saw this painting at a place called Phillips Mill Gallery. And at that time, the artist was showing scenes around Philadelphia. After my parents passed on, their work was passed on to me. And we've enjoyed it ever since.

APPRAISER

And I presume you know who this artist is.

GUEST

George Sotter.

APPRAISER

That's right, George William Sotter.

GUEST

Yes, I've seen the work of Sotter and other New Hope painters who have become international, I guess.

APPRAISER

Well, there's an extremely strong market for them. They're often referred to as either the Pennsylvanian Impressionists or the New Hope School.

GUEST

Yes.

APPRAISER

Or the Bucks County Impressionists. And Sotter was one of the leading artists there, although he was actually born in Pittsburgh.

GUEST

Oh, was he?

APPRAISER

And this one is particularly nice, I think, because it's the kind of Sotter that Sotter buyers really seek. (laughs)

GUEST

Mm-hmm, yes.

APPRAISER

Crucially, it's a nocturne, so it's a night scene.

GUEST

Mm-hmm.

APPRAISER

It's got the snow, which collectors of Pennsylvanian Impressionist paintings tend to like.

GUEST

Right.

APPRAISER

But he's one significant artist out of that group who particularly did these nocturnal scenes. You know, so often with Impressionism, you associate it with broad daylight and sunshine. He was also very well regarded as a stained-glass designer.

GUEST

Oh, is that so?

APPRAISER

And a lot of his work, he did with his wife, and can be seen in churches and cathedrals all over the place.

GUEST

Oh, I say.

APPRAISER

Have you given any thought to value on it? Have you thought about how much it might fetch at auction?

GUEST

My parents, I think, paid just several hundred dollars for the painting, and I don't really know now what it's worth.

APPRAISER

Well, given the current strength of the market for the Pennsylvanian Impressionists, combined with, it's a nocturne, it's got the snow, it's a nice size. I think it would comfortably make $15,000 to $20,000.

GUEST

Is that, oh, is that right?

APPRAISER

Yeah.

GUEST

Well, that's very, very nice to hear.

APPRAISER

Yeah.