A painting that hung on the wall at a Cornwall care home for decades may be worth far more than anyone thought.
Staff at St Teresa’s Care Home in Marazion believe the artwork is by renowned Cornish painter Stanhope Alexander Forbes. Leonard Cheshire, which runs the home, said a “new, art-loving member of staff” spotted Forbes’ name on the painting and raised interest in the piece.
Staff then took the artwork, titled Taking a Rest, A Girl Seated on a Stool, to the BBC’s Antiques Roadshow tour at the Dartington Estate in Totnes, Devon, in May. Experts there speculatively valued it at “a few thousand pounds or perhaps more” if it was by Forbes.
Laura Sanders, Leonard Cheshire’s regional director for the south west, said: “This is brilliant for everyone connected with St Teresa’s, both residents and staff.
“Some of our residents first saw the painting when they joined us decades ago.
“We want to thank everyone connected with the Antiques Roadshow for their enthusiasm, guidance and expertise.”
Born in 1858, Forbes was known for his paintings of Cornwall and founded the Newlyn School of Art across the bay from St Teresa’s. His paintings can fetch thousands of pounds.
Leonard Cheshire said the piece was bought from London art dealers David Messum Fine Arts and gifted to the home’s former treasurer more than 50 years ago. Staff at St Teresa’s believe it was given to them by charity founder and World War Two RAF veteran Leonard Cheshire, who set up the home on its current site in 1955.
The home now supports up to 27 disabled adults.
Read more from Talker News.
