Takanori Oguiss Painting Found in Closet

Tammy H. kept an old painting in her closet for more than a decade. Twice she almost threw it away. But something told her to keep it. “You never know - it just might be worth something,” she said.

Over the years, she tried to learn about the artist and the painting. Once she asked a college art student, who told her it had no value because there were no people in her painting, just buildings.

Then one morning last December she was watching the morning show on Denver¹s NBC affiliate, 9NEWS. Will Seippel the CEO and Founder of WorthPoint was talking about his new company, a website that helps people value items with online tools and expert advice.

Tammy headed for her computer and posted her first question on WorthPoint.com: “How do I find the value of a Takanori Oguiss painting?” she asked.

Thom Pattie, the website’s chief Worthologist, saw Tammy’s question and immediately recognized the artist’s name. “I was familiar with Takanori Oguiss’ work,” he said. “I was certain that if it was authentic, chances were good Tammy¹s painting was very valuable.”

Oguiss was a Japanese painter who moved to Paris as a young man in the 1920s. His oil paintings of deserted street scenes in his adopted city have a quiet, austere simplicity. His works rely on energetic brush strokes and thick textures to keep the buildings from appearing dull.

His reason for leaving people out of his paintings can partially be explained by the Japanese concept of “ma,” where an absence or space is thought to add to the aesthetic appeal.

"If the picture has an empty space, the painter feels inclined to fill it up with people," Oguiss once complained. He died in 1986.

Pattie talked Tammy step-by-step through the art appraisal process. He detailed how to pack, ship and insure a valuable painting, and he handled the discussions with the auction houses on her behalf.

“All of this was new for Tammy, but I’ve been doing it for 40 years,” Pattie said. “Basically, I just helped shepherd her through the process.”

“Thom was very helpful from the beginning,” Tammy said. “He hooked me up with all of the right people and we got it to Sotheby’s. They estimate the value to be $70,000-$90,000.”

It is an oil on canvas titled "Coin De Paris, Rue de Meaux." The auction is May 8 at Sotheby's in New York. Until the auction is completed, Tammy is trying to contain her excitement.

Join the WorthPoint site as a member. (It’s free.) Take a few pictures of what's in your closet and post a question on the site to find out.

Click here to Ask a Question.

Click here to read Tammy’s original question and Worthologist Thom Pattie’s answer.

Click here for Sotheby's online.