The bust he bought for 35 dollars turned out to be an ancient work of art

first century BC an ancient Roman bustIt has finally emerged after being lost for so many years. And in a rather strange way.

Bust of an art collector in place at the San Antonio Art Museum Laura YoungHe got it thanks to finding him. How strange is this, you might think. Here’s what’s weird about this story, that Young had such a precious piece. like $35 at a ridiculous price having bought it.

Bought historical art for $34.99

As quoted by the San Antonio Museum of Art, art collector Laura Young stumbled upon a sculpture on the floor under a table while shopping at a Goodwill store in Austin, Texas, in 2018. Young, a collector looking for undervalued or rare works of art, told The Art Newspaper that the bust is simply for $34.99 He said he bought it.

After purchasing the bust, Young realized that the work was rather old and worn. Wanting to find out when and where the bust came from, Young consulted art history experts at the University of Texas at Austin and auction houses in the US for several years. An adviser to Sotheby’s, a fine arts broker who eventually came to Young’s aid. Jörg Deterling it happened. Deterling, your bust was decades ago in a German museum He determined that it was a piece found and mediated Young’s access to the German authorities.

As a result of all these efforts, the statue, late 1st century BC turned out to belong. San Antonio Museum of Art, bust defeated by Julius Caesar in the Civil War son of Pompey the Great while believing that it depicts; The Art Newspaper, bust of the Roman commander Drusus GermanicusHe stated that he described the

On the other hand, the bust is from 1786 to 1868. King Ludwi I of Bavariag and is part of a model house named Pompejanum, which was inspired by Pompeii. The model in question managed to survive for approximately 200 years; but II. by bombers during World War II. serious damage had been exposed.

“Looks great at home”

No one knows exactly how the bust escaped nearly extinction and ended up in Austin Goodwill; however, according to the museum, the bust was erected by the US Army in Aschaffenburg and used until the Cold War It seems likely that he was picked up and taken home by a Texas soldier stationed at the bases.

In a statement on the subject, museum director Emily Ballew Neff said, “This includes the WWII era, international diplomacy, ancient Mediterranean art, second-hand shop detective work, historic Bavarian royalty, and the thoughtful management of those who care for and protect the arts, whether individually or institutionally. great story” saves as.

On the other hand, Young stated that he was excited to discover the origin of the bust; but unable to hold it or couldn’t sell He says it’s a bit sad for him. Young on the subject “Either way, I’m happy to be a small part of its long and complex history, and while I have it looked great at home‘ he uses.

Under the agreement with the Bavarian State Administration of Palaces, Gardens and Lakes, the bust of Rome 21 May 2023 It is stated that it will be exhibited at the San Antonio Art Museum until today. Afterwards, the bust will finally return to Germany.