The manager of a Goodwill store in Toronto says she knew she was touching a piece of history the minute she began inspecting a painting that was donated to the charitable organization.
"I touched the painting and I sensed something different," Helen Zhuang told Canada AM on Wednesday. "The frame tells you its old history. Then I saw the painting's detail and I knew it was a good artist."
After doing some research on the internet, she realized the donor had dropped off two Federico del Campo paintings. The Peruvian artist is well known in art circles for his fine detailing of Venetian landscapes.
Zhuang, who manages the Goodwill on Dundas Street near Islington Avenue, said she took the paintings to Waddington's, an art appraiser in Toronto, to help determine if they were original pieces of work or just copies.
Zhuang and Goodwill spokesperson Mitzie Hunter told Canada AM they were "excited" to learn both paintings were indeed original masterpieces.
Waddington's valued the paintings at $30,000 to $50,000 each.
The paintings went on the auction block yesterday. One painting sold for $80,700 while another sold for $78,400. Both prices include a buyers premium of about 20 per cent.
A European buyer bought both paintings.
According to Hunter, Goodwill received $134,000 from the sale of the del Campo paintings.
"We're so grateful for the generosity of our donors," Hunter said. "(They know) it goes to a good cause and helps the community."
The money will be used to further Goodwill's job support program which helps teens, people with disabilities, immigrants and others who have difficulty finding employment.
Hunter told ctvtoronto.ca on Tuesday that she's not sure if the donor knew the value of the paintings. She said the organization receives more than 2,500 donations a day and that Goodwill did not make an attempt to contact the donor who dropped off the artwork anonymously.
