OAKLAND, Calif. – “You always hear about things like this, but seldom actually discover them,” said Redge Martin, president of Clars Auction Gallery, after the discovery of a painting by Elliot Daingerfield (American 1859-1932) found hidden inside the backing of a mirror right inside the gallery.

Deric Torres, vice president of decorative arts and furnishings, was working on a mirror, which was in a significant Newcomb Macklin frame. As he was moving the mirror, which came from a prominent Pebble Beach, Calif., estate, he noticed part of the backing was loose.

“I peeled away the backing and noticed there was canvas and a stretcher bar behind the mirror suggesting that a painting might be hidden underneath.”

Indeed there was. He immediately called Rick Unruh, vice president of fine arts for Clars, and together they were excited to find Twilight, an oil on canvas by renowned Barbizon School painter Elliot Daingerfield, that had been concealed behind this mirror for decades.

Clars immediately contacted the consignor to alert him of their discovery. He was equally astonished. The consignor’s mother had acquired the mirror over 40 years ago, purchasing what she believed was only a lovely mirror.

Twilight by Elliot Daingerfield will be offered at a Clars auction on Sunday, April 17.

For more information email: info@clars.com.