Smithsonian Magazine · People & society

Long-Lost Gertrude Abercrombie Painting Found at Estate Sale Valued at $250,000

A painting by the Chicago Surrealist Gertrude Abercrombie, discovered at a Michigan estate sale for $30, is now expected to fetch up to $250,000 at auction.

The artwork, titled "Alderman Merriam’s Shells" and painted in 1951, was authenticated by art historian Susan Weininger. It was recently exhibited at the Milwaukee Art Museum as part of a national retrospective on Abercrombie.

The painting was inspired by nine seashells owned by Robert Merriam, a former Chicago alderman. Abercrombie often used shells as personal emblems in her work, symbolizing themes of protection and confinement.

The piece appeared in Abercrombie exhibitions in the early 1950s, priced between $50 and $150. It was later given to a Michigan doctor and remained with his family for 75 years before being found at the estate sale.

Gertrude Abercrombie, known as the "Queen of Chicago," hosted influential salons and created surrealist scenes often featuring solitary figures, cats, and symbolic objects. Her work has seen a resurgence in recent years, with its unique and personal style appealing to a new audience.

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