The widow of a North-east art dealer who bought a painting for £500 has discovered it is actually worth £50,000.
Becky Wilson, from Banff, took part in the BBC One show Fake or Fortune on Sunday evening along with the 19th Century work by Paul Delaroche named Saint Amelie.
Experts from the show examined the piece which Becky’s husband Neil, who died in 2014 after being diagnosed with a brain tumour, always thought was genuine.
He bought the painting in 1989 in an auction at Christie’s for £500.
Fiona Bruce and Philip Mould looked at the piece with experts and learned the French painter worked on it for the last King and Queen of the French, Louis Philippe and Marie Amelie.
After being overthrown in 1848 the Royal family ended up in England where they passed it down to their son.
The location of the painting was unknown until it ended up at auction where Neil bought it.
Becky said: “Neil bought the painting because he liked the look of it. He thought it was beautiful.
Becky contacted the National Gallery about the painting earlier this year, however, they were unable to find out if it was genuine.
They put her in touch with the Fake or Fortune team who confirmed it was indeed the real thing.
Philip estimated the painting could go for as much as £50,000.
Becky, said: “It is not about the money for me, it is more about the fact that Neil was right and it is a genuine picture. His judgement was spot on.
“It is not the first time he got it right. He bought a painting in America for $2,000 and then found out it was a genuine Burne-Jones which was worth around £70,000.”
The 48-year-old plans to keep the painting, however she will allow it to go on display at the British Museum in London when the Delaroche exhibition takes place.
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