Woman shocked to learn $125 painting she bought on Facebook Marketplace could be worth a huge sum

A woman who planned to return “a dream piece of art” was left shocked after discovering its potential value.

Christie Grace revealed in a June 7 TikTok video that a $125 painting she purchased on Facebook Marketplace could be worth thousands of dollars.

This revelation came less than a week after she posted a video on TikTok asking viewers if she should return the artwork due to its enormous size.

According to the TikToker, she searched for artist Helmut Koller and discovered that his paintings could be sold online for between $50,000 and $200,000.

“She didn’t mention anything about the artist. I guess she didn’t know anything about the artist,” Grace said of the seller on Facebook in her June 7 video.

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Grace was looking to purchase large prints for her living room that were “affordable and unique”.

Tiger-centric artwork popped up on Etsy and Facebook Marketplace, leading her to find the painting that Grace called “an incredible piece.”

The TikTok user was “shaking” with shock the next day after researching the artist and finding out how much her works usually sell for.

Grace explained that the woman she bought the painting from probably had no idea of ​​the artwork’s value.

“The girl I bought this from on Facebook Marketplace said she bought this painting and several others at a random estate sale and was keeping them for a while,” Grace said.

“She just pointed out that there are some disgusting things on the painting, so I definitely need to look into how I can preserve it better.”

Grace returned to Koller’s website to search for similar paintings and two acrylics on canvas similar to her work were worth $66,000 and $140,000.

The TikToker added that she will also need to have her painting appraised and authenticated and implored her viewers with art experience to help her.

“If anyone has the experience to determine the value of art…I would certainly appreciate it,” she said.

Grace posted a video update on June 8 and revealed that she had contacted Koller and had “sent emails back and forth.”

She then contacted the seller from Facebook Marketplace to get more information about the work.

“I can’t say anything else at this point, but I’ll let you know as soon as I have something definitive that I’m ready to share,” Grace said.

“But I just want to say thank you so much to everyone who has reached out and offered to help…I love the side of TikTok that genuinely wants people to succeed.”

The large canvas artwork purchased by Grace is currently not available for purchase in Koller’s artwork archive on her website.

However, similar paintings of tigers, as well as those of insects, giraffes and lions, are available to anyone who wishes to purchase an authenticated piece from Koller.

There are also at least five pieces of art created by Koller available for purchase in his art archive that are worth only $36,000 to $45,000.

Koller was born in 1954 and is an Austrian-born artist known for his colorful and festive animal paintings, according to Fritz Gallery.

The animals he painted came from four continents, including Europe and Africa.

He became a photographer at the Vienna State Opera in 1974 and for seven years photographed stars such as Luciano Pavarotti and Placido Domingo.

Koller wrote several books in the 1980s, including OPERA LIVE – The Vienna State Opera, and published his first collection of paintings in 1987.

The growing legend left photography to focus on becoming a professional artist in 1988, and he has since released several art collections.

Koller currently lives and works in Palm Beach, Florida, and Vienna, Austria, and has galleries in four states: California, Colorado, Connecticut, and Florida.

He also has two European galleries in Italy and Germany.

Like Grace, other TikTokers may not have known the artist, but they suggested the owner of the work not sell it.

“Everything has to work around the Tiger… Lose the shelf,” one TikToker wrote in the comments section of her first video on June 11.

Other TikTok users who commented on Grace’s second video were excited and also advised her what to do regarding valuing the artwork.

“You can get multiple reviews if you’re worried about being downplayed,” one commenter wrote.

“Take photos of the brushstrokes and details and email them to the artist’s website. At least they can tell you if they made any prints.

Another person wrote: “I love that you bought it because you liked it and not for its potential resale value.” The commodification of art has diminished true appreciation.