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Leonora Carrington painting kept by family for 70 years heads to auction

Fil d'Or is a unique artwork by Leonora Carrington with a fascinating backstory. It was purchased way back in 1953 and remained treasured by a single family for many years. This painting showcases a cool technique known as grattage, which is part of the Surrealist movement and provides insight into Carrington's distinctive and imaginative style. Now authenticated, Fil d’Or goes up for auction on…

Leonora Carrington painting kept by family for 70 years heads to auction

A painting, once tucked away in a family's home for over seven decades, is set to be auctioned, revealing a journey that spans generations. Created by Leonora Carrington in 1953, the artwork known as Fil d’Or was initially bought from a gallery in Mexico City by a collector in Long Beach, California. The painting, which measures 13 by 8.5 inches, was passed down through the family and is now being offered at Heritage Auctions, with an estimated value of $250,000 to $350,000.

Fil d’Or, which translates to 'gold thread' in French, is a surrealist piece crafted using a technique called grattage, where Carrington scraped away layers of paint to reveal hidden patterns. The title of the painting carries multiple meanings, symbolising both the literal concept of gold thread and the metaphorical idea of a 'common thread' that connects various interpretations.

Its significance lies not only in its rarity among Carrington’s works but also in its well-documented ownership history, making it a unique addition to the art market.

Written by urgent.news from Times of India's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.

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