Who Will Give Me One Hundred?

I was looking at some paintings on-line this morning done by Cy Twombly. I don’t know Mr. Twombly, in fact he passed away in 2011, but the paints are massive. I would guess on canvas that is easily 10 to 12 feet tall by 15 or more feet wide. These paintings range from $2 million up to $75 million! And no offense to his craft or his memory, but I when I looked at them, I thought, “REALLY?!”

He is described as one of the most expensive contemporary artists of our time. I don’t see it.

Are they paintings of nature? People? Landscapes? No, no, and no. They are massive scribbles. Seriously. It looks like a young child got hold of a red marker and made giant swirls over and over again on the wall. It makes no sense to me. How can people look at that and say it’s worth millions of dollars?

My mom is an artist. She paints. In fact, I have three of her paintings on the wall in my office. Yes, this is one of them.

I think my mom’s paintings are much better than the ones I saw on-line today, but I know for a fact, she would not be able to get a million dollars for one. And yet they have far more value to me than a $75 million dollar painting.

In 1951 a Jackson Pollock sold at auction for 61.6 million dollars.

A rare, meticulously painted, scroll became one of the most expensive Chinese artworks ever sold at auction…$65 million.

A Beeple sold in May of 2007 for $69.3 million.

Claude Monet’s Haystacks sold for $71.35 million dollars.

One of the most expensive paintings ever sold was Pablo Picasso’s Femme…it sold at auction for $103.4 million dollars. In fact, the Spanish artist led auction sales in 2021 both in terms of overall volume ($657.7 million sold in the first 11 months of the year) and the most expensive lot. (Source: news.artnet.com)

Years ago, there was a very wealthy man who, with his devoted young son, shared a passion for art collecting. Together they traveled around the world, adding only the finest art treasures to their collection. Priceless works by Picasso, Van Gogh, Monet, and many others adorned the walls of the family estate. The widowed, elder man looked on with satisfaction as his only child became an experienced art collector. The son’s trained eye and sharp business mind caused his father to beam with pride as they dealt with art collectors around the world.

As winter approached, war engulfed the nation, and the young man left to serve his country. After only a few short weeks, his father received a telegram. His beloved son was missing in action. The art collector anxiously awaited more news, fearing he would never see his son again. Within days, his fears were confirmed. The young man had died while rushing a fellow soldier to a medic.

On Christmas morning, a knock on the door awakened the depressed old man. As he opened the door, he was greeted by a soldier with a large package in his hand. He introduced himself to the man by saying, “I was a friend of your son. I was the one he was rescuing when he died. May I come in for a few moments? I have something to show you.”

As the two began to talk, the soldier told of how the man’s son had told everyone of his, not to mention his father’s, love of fine art. “I’m an artist,” said the soldier, “and I want to give you this.” As the old man unwrapped the package, the paper gave way to reveal a portrait of the son.

Though the world would never consider it the work of a genius, the painting featured the young man’s face in striking detail.

Overcome with emotion, the man thanked the soldier, promising to hang the picture over the fireplace. A few hours later, after the soldier had departed, the old man set about his task.

True to his word, the painting went well above the fireplace, pushing aside thousands of dollars of paintings. And then the man sat in his chair and spent Christmas gazing at the gift he had been given.

During the days and weeks that followed, the man realized that even though his son was no longer with him, the boy’s life would live on because of those he had touched. He would soon learn that his son had rescued dozens of wounded soldiers before a bullet stilled his caring heart.

As the stories of his son’s gallantry continued to reach him, fatherly pride and satisfaction began to ease the grief. The painting of his son soon became his most prized possession, far eclipsing any interest in the pieces for which museums around the world clamored. He told his neighbors it was the greatest gift he had ever received.

The following spring, the old man became ill and passed away. The art world was in anticipation! And, according to the will of the old man, all of the art works would be auctioned on Christmas day, the day he had received his greatest gift.

The day soon arrived and art collectors from around the world gathered to bid on some of the world’s most spectacular paintings. Dreams would be fulfilled this day; greatness would be achieved. The auction began with a painting that was not on any museum’s list. It was the painting of the man’s son. The auctioneer asked for an opening bid. The room was silent.

“Who will open the bidding with $100?” he asked.

Minutes passed.

No one spoke.

And then from the back of the room came, “Who cares about that painting? It’s just a picture of his son. Let’s forget it and go on to the good stuff.”

More voices echoed in agreement. “No, we have to sell this one first,” replied the auctioneer. “Now, who will take the son?” Finally, a friend of the old man spoke, “Will you take ten dollars for the painting? That’s all I have. I knew the boy, so I’d like to have it.”

“I have ten dollars. Will anyone go higher?” called the auctioneer. After more silence, the auctioneer said, “Going once, going twice. Gone.” The gavel fell, cheers filled the room, and someone exclaimed, “Now we can get on with it and we can bid on these treasures!”

The auctioneer looked at the audience and announced the auction was over.

Stunned disbelief quieted the room. Someone spoke up and asked, “What do you mean it’s over? We didn’t come here for a picture of some old guy’s son. What about all of these paintings? There are millions of dollars of art here! I demand that you explain what’s going on here!” The auctioneer replied, “It’s very simple. According to the will of the father, whoever takes the son…gets it all.” – Author Unknown

That story really puts things into perspective, doesn’t it? And the message is still the same: our Heavenly Father, a Father whose greatest joy came from His Son, invites us to accept His Son. His Son also went away to war on planet earth. His Son too gave His life rescuing others. And because of that Father’s love, whoever takes the Son, gets it all.

“Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12 NKJV

by Jeanette Stark – Tuesday, March 21, 2023