A rare oil painting by Rockwell Kent, commissioned for the 1939 World's Fair, is making headlines as it resurfaces at the Salon Art + Design in New York, with a staggering asking price of $975,000.
The piece, a 15-by-50-inch version of a monumental mural titled Power, was commissioned by General Electric for their pavilion. The mural, which depicted a progression from the Dark Ages to a bright future of technological advancement, was tragically destroyed in a warehouse fire in the 1940s.
Bernard Goldberg of Bernard Goldberg Fine Art, who is representing the painting, emphasized its remarkable condition, stating, “It is in absolutely perfect condition. No retouching, nothing.” This version has never been publicly exhibited before.
The painting's provenance is particularly intriguing. It was initially misattributed to a lesser-known illustrator before the current owner suspected its true origins. Art historian Scott Ferris confirmed its authenticity, linking it directly to Kent's correspondence with General Electric.
If sold at the asking price, this painting would break Kent's previous auction record of $852,500, set in 2016. Goldberg hopes to attract institutional buyers, emphasizing the painting's historical significance as a piece of New York's cultural heritage.
“This is absolutely more important than anything else he’s done,” Goldberg remarked. With interest already from private collectors, the painting's future remains promising.