A painting that has hung in a hallway at a care home for decades could be worth thousands, according to Antiques Roadshow experts.
The artwork at St Teresa's Care Home is believed to be by renowned Cornish painter Stanhope Alexander Forbes.
Leonard Cheshire, which runs the home in Marazion, Cornwall, said the artwork sparked the interest of a "new, art-loving member of staff" after she spotted Forbes’ name on the painting.
The staff at St Teresa's then took the piece, titled 'Taking a Rest, A Girl Seated on a Stool', to the BBC's Antiques Roadshow tour at the Dartington Estate in Totnes, Devon, in May - where experts speculatively valued the artwork at "a few thousand pounds or perhaps more" if it was by Forbes.
Laura Sanders, Leonard Cheshire’s regional director for the south west, said: "This is brilliant for everyone connected with St Teresa’s, both residents and staff.
(Isaac Eales via SWNS)
By Talker
"Some of our residents first saw the painting when they joined us decades ago.
"We want to thank everyone connected with the Antiques Roadshow for their enthusiasm, guidance and expertise."
Born in 1858 and known for his beautiful paintings of Cornwall, Forbes founded the Newlyn School of Art just across the bay from St Teresa’s.
His paintings can fetch thousands of pounds.
This much-valued piece, purchased from London art dealers David Messum Fine Arts, was gifted to the home’s former treasurer more than fifty years ago.
St Teresa’s staff believe the painting was gifted to them by charity founder and World War Two RAF veteran Leonard Cheshire - who set up St Teresa’s on its current site in 1955.
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