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A pair of dog walkers stumbled upon two paintings tossed in a skip and later sold them at auction for £16,000. The artworks had been displayed on the walls of their home in Pembrokeshire for several years before they decided to delve into the background of the artist. According to Rogers Jones Auctioneers, this inquiry revealed that the creator was Louis Wain, a renowned British artist famed for his cat illustrations during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
The couple shared their story, explaining that when they first saw the paintings discarded, they thought they would make a charming present for their daughter-in-law, who is a cat enthusiast. After about a year, the paintings were returned to them and remained on their walls for several more years. Only later did they research Louis Wain and were astonished to find out how notable the artist had become, including the release of a film based on his life.
Louis Wain’s work has gained significant recognition over time. He often struggled financially during his life, selling his artwork for modest amounts. Ben Rogers Jones of the auction house remarked that while it is uncommon to discover paintings in skips, it does happen occasionally. He further noted that anyone putting items up for auction must sign a contract confirming their ownership of the pieces.
Louis Wain was born in Clerkenwell on 5 August 1860 and pursued art education at the West London School of Art, where he later taught. Throughout his career, he contributed freelance artwork to various trade journals and newspapers. Unfortunately, at 63, he was deemed insane and sent to the pauper’s ward of a London hospital before being transferred to Bethlem Hospital, where he continued to draw until his death in 1939.
Regarding the legality of taking items from skips, Victorian Law and the Theft Act 1968 in England and Wales present complexities, as objects placed in a skip are not necessarily deemed abandoned property. Moreover, skip diving carries physical hazards, including broken glass, metal fragments, and biohazardous material, making it important to seek the skip owner’s permission before taking any discarded items
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