True Tale: Norman Rockwell's "Breaking Home Ties"

Leigh Keno has a background in fine and decorative arts across four decades which includes serving as: Vice President of Christie's Appraisals Inc.; an expert in Christie's American furniture and decorative arts department and in charge of the American folk; advising buyers in purchasing artwork and decorative arts valued at over $200,000,000 at public auction; advisor to and representative of owners of fine and decorative arts who are considering selling at auction so that they chose the right auction house and receive the best possible terms. 

One of Leigh Keno's most memorable and rewarding experiences advising clients began when he was asked to represent four siblings who had inherited a masterwork. Created by the celebrated American artist Norman Rockwell as an illustration for a 1954 Saturday Evening Post cover, the iconic image features a young man in a suit at the train station about to leave for college. He sits upright with bright, eager eyes alongside -and in stark contrast to -the slumped-over figure of his father, whose dirty fingernails, worn overalls and downcast expression exude a lifetime spent as a farmer. 

Keno had first gone to the Rockwell Museum with the family to see the work in the museum- but several things about the painting did not look right. In 2006, the painting at the museum was confirmed to be a copy, secretly painted- unbeknownst to the four siblings- by their father. 

Having purchased the original work from his friend Rockwell in 1960 for $900, Don Trachte had covertly painted a detailed copy of the work and kept the original within a hidden compartment between two walls in his house. The hidden wall was discovered by his sons- confirming experts questions over the visible differences between the painting in the Rockwell Museum and that shown in the Saturday Evening Post “tear sheet.” With no other explanation as to why the work at the Rockwell Museum was not the actual work, these discrepancies were at first attributed to poor re-varnishing and restoration efforts. 

Prior to being sent to New York to be auctioned, the two paintings were exhibited side by side. In this way, visitors to the Rockwell Museum could gain insight into the work of both a world famous artist and the artist/owner who copied the work. Leigh Keno recalls negotiating with dealers and auction houses on behalf of the owners. He finally convinced the siblings to turn down a cash offer of 8 Million dollars and to sell at auction. In 2006, "Breaking Home Ties" sold at Sotheby's for $15.4 million, setting an auction record for Rockwell's work.

Leigh Keno had brought a bottle of champagne to share with the siblings for this event. Having told the owners repeatedly that their painting would almost certainly set a world record, they all had reason to celebrate!