Lost Joan Eardley painting found in charity shop sells for £29,500

A painting by Joan Eardley, famed for her evocative portrayals of Glasgow’s street children and the rugged beauty of Aberdeenshire’s fishing villages, fetched £29,500 after being unearthed in a charity shop. The artwork, identified as *Summer Fields*, was initially flagged by staff when they noticed a faint label on its back that connected it to The Scottish Gallery in Edinburgh.

Tommy Zyw, director of the gallery, confirmed the painting’s authenticity, revealing it had been sent from an East Midlands charity shop. He highlighted that this sale marked the gallery’s most significant transaction in its history, with proceeds supporting medical research. The shop, which chose to remain unnamed, had stumbled upon the piece during a house clearance, where a small, dark oil painting caught their attention.

Provenance and Authentication

The manager of the shop spotted the painting while sorting items, and a partial label on its reverse held just enough clues to spark interest. Words like “summer,” “Joan,” and “The Scottish Gallery” were legible, prompting Zyw to call and verify its origin. He recounted how the gallery often receives paintings for appraisal, mostly framed posters or works by family members, but occasionally discovers gems.

“Could this be one of Joan Eardley’s long-lost works?” Zyw wondered, his curiosity piqued by the fragments of information. After confirming its provenance through historic records, the painting was authenticated, linking it to its 1961 sale in Edinburgh’s daybooks.

Once authenticated, the artwork was cleaned and displayed at the British Art Fair in London in September 2025 before returning to The Scottish Gallery in Edinburgh’s New Town in October. Zyw noted that the painting attracted thousands of visitors, including the original shop manager, who relished seeing it in a new setting.

Artist’s Legacy

Joan Eardley, born in England in 1921, relocated to Scotland as a teenager and became celebrated for her depictions of urban life and coastal landscapes. Her work, which often captured the raw essence of her subjects, has continued to gain recognition posthumously. She passed away at 42 in 1963, leaving behind a body of art that resonates with audiences today.

“It was as if recognizing a family member or a close friend’s signature—the brushstrokes and presentation felt instantly familiar,” Zyw reflected. The painting’s journey from a charity shop to a private collector underscores its enduring appeal. “This painting now belongs to someone who truly appreciates Scottish art, especially post-war works,” he added, emphasizing its new chapter in a private collection.