In a city where wealth and art were symbols of prestige, a wealthy man and his son held a deep appreciation for the beauty of paintings. Their home was graced with masterpieces, from Picasso’s vibrant strokes to Raphael’s Renaissance elegance.
The True Worth of Art: A Heroic Son, A Portrait, and an Unforgettable Auction
Night after night, the father and son immersed themselves in the realm of art, marveling at every detail and discussing its meaning. Yet, fate can be unpredictable.
When the Vietnam War began, driven by his sense of duty, the young man enlisted. His bravery was beyond belief, and during a critical mission, he gave up his life to save a fellow soldier. The heart-wrenching news reached the father, and the agony of losing his only heir and friend overwhelmed him.
Winter settled in, and on a chilly evening before Christmas, a knock echoed through the mansion. Upon answering, the father was met by a young man, traces of war evident in his eyes, holding a large parcel. He began with a shaky voice:
“You may not recognize me, but I was the man your son saved on that tragic day. His courage knew no bounds. As he was pulling me to safety, a bullet took his life. He often spoke of you and your love for art.”
With trembling hands, the young man presented the parcel. “I’m no expert in art, but I wanted you to have this.”
Unwrapping it, the father discovered a portrait of his son’s face. While the technique might not match a master’s, the essence and spirit of the young man were captured flawlessly, particularly those eyes, filled with vitality and passion. Overwhelmed with emotion and tears forming in his eyes, he attempted to reward the young soldier, but the latter declined:
“It’s a gift, sir. I can’t put a price on your son’s sacrifice.”
The portrait held a special place, surpassing every other masterpiece in the house. Every visitor was first shown this portrait, the father’s most treasured possession.
Months later, after the old man passed away, an auction was announced for his esteemed collection. The art community and high-society individuals eagerly attended. However, to the surprise of many, the first piece up for auction was the young man’s portrait.
Despite the initial resistance and demands to see the renowned masterpieces, the auctioneer firmly continued, “The portrait of the son! Who will bid for it?”
After a long silence, a familiar, emotion-filled voice rang out: “I bid ten dollars.” It was the family’s loyal gardener. With his modest savings, he wanted to honor the memory of the young man he had known and respected.
“I offer $10 for this painting!” another attendee declared.
“Is there anyone willing to bid $20?” the auctioneer exclaimed, hoping for a higher offer.
One of the attendees, clearly impatient, shouted, “Award it for $10 already, and let us see the artworks that are worth something!”
The crowd murmured. Some nodded in agreement, while others exchanged disapproving glances. Everyone was there because of the rumored masterpieces in the collection. But that particular painting of the Son was not what they were seeking.
Feeling the crowd’s impatience, the auctioneer raised his voice again: “I have a $10 bid! Does anyone offer $20? Anyone?” The tension was palpable.
After a few moments that felt like an eternity, he decisively brought down his hammer, announcing, “Sold for $10!”
A man from the second row stood up triumphantly, exclaiming, “At last! Now, let’s move on to the real treasures of this collection.”
The auctioneer, with a serious expression, laid down his hammer and announced, “Respected attendees, I regret to inform you that the auction is over.”
Confusion and whispers filled the room. “What about the other paintings? Where are they?” some asked, clearly bewildered.
Solemnly, the auctioneer explained, “When tasked with this job, I was entrusted with a detail that could not be revealed until now. According to the deceased owner’s will, only ‘The Son’ painting would be auctioned. The fortunate buyer would not only get that painting but would also inherit every single possession of the deceased, including the other sought-after paintings. Ladies and gentlemen, whoever got ‘The Son’ has received the entire legacy!”
