Long-lost French painting now at National Gallery in Washington for restoration

May 02, 2024

Elliot Williams, WAMU

Michael Swicklik is senior conservator at the National Gallery in Washington, DC. Here, he's working to restore a newly discovered painting by 18th-century artist Anne Vallayer-Coster. (Elliot Williams/WAMU)

Editor's note: Due to a scheduling change, this segment did not air on May. 2, 2024, as planned.

A still-life painting by French artist Anne Vallayer-Coster was missing for nearly 200 years. It showed up last year and was bought by the National Gallery for nearly $3 million.

"Still Life with Flowers in an Alabaster Vase and Fruit" is being painstakingly restored and is expected to be exhibited by summer.

Elliot Williams of WAMU reports.

This segment aired on May 2, 2024. The audio for this segment is not available.