Bramble Graphics

Aberdeenshire £7 painting revealed as Peploe masterpiece

Discovery at Thainstone

A painting bought for £7 at an Aberdeenshire car boot sale has been authenticated as a long-lost masterpiece worth £450,000.

The buyer, Aberdonian artist Dodd Gee, said he had been “blawn awa” by the artwork while browsing at a local car boot sale in Thainston, near Inverurie in Aberdeenshire.

Experts at Sotherby’s were able to prove the painting, known as Twa Butteries and depicting a still life scene with a sea view, was a piece from the early 20th Century by Scottish Colourist Samuel John Peploe.

Gye wobby

After discovering its potential new value, Mr Gee said he had “kent it wis the real deal fae day een”. He added it looked like it had been painted by "someone fa really kens fit they're deeing.”

Mr Gee discovered Peploes’s signature after taking the painting out of its frame. He revealed that, “I’m a typical Aiberdonian. I haggled wi the wifie doon fae £30 tae sivvin quid because it wis gye wobby. Fit a bargain, I’m fair-tricket!"

Dumfoonert

The woman who sold the painting was traced, and identified as Cee N. Reid from Huntly. She said, “I’m dunfoonert. I didnae ken it wis sic a rare pintin. I’ve been greetin aboot it fer wiks noo. I found it in my attic and I dinna like buttereies, so I sold it at Thainstone. The mannie foo bocht it wis affa grippy. He even hid the chick te ask for a discoont!”

The Scottish Colourists

Peploe is one of Scotland's most celebrated artists, belonging to the group of four artists known as the Scottish Colourists. He studied art in Paris from 1910 to 1912 and was introduced to bold colour inspired by the bright sunlight whist in Northern France. He experienced this same intensity of light on the Scottish islands of Iona and Barra. His semi-abstract style of painting is characterised by tight composition and strong blocks of colour.

Title still under dispute

Twa Butteries was thought to have been painted by Peploe, during his stay in a cottage in the coastal fishing village of Crovie, Aberdeenshire in 1913. Although some local historians have disputed this, and have claimed that the painting’s true title is actually Twa Rowies. The debate is still ongoing.

A closer look

Dinna maak the same mistake

Cee feels angry that she sold the painting for just £7, and is urging people to "pit on yer glaesses, and check artwork for signatures so you dinna maak the same mistake."

Check every painting

Dinna maak the same mistake

Hobbyist thrifter, Dodd is delighted to have discovered the painting, and regularly checks old paintings at car boot sales and charity shops in the hope of discovering another masterpiece.

Twa butteries at auction

Dinna maak the same mistake

Twa butteries at auction

Twa butteries is due to go under the hammer at auction in the next week. The painting is valued at 450K but it may fetch much more at auction, especially if there are Peploe collectors there.