My Jose Maria de Servin painting.
WHAT’S YOUR PREFERENCE in art?
Do you shop for mass-produced art at a big box retailer?
Or are you the gallery type, purchasing one-of-a-kind fine art?
Maybe you shop flea markets, rummage sales or thrift stores for hand-crafted or vintage art.
Perhaps you’re artistic enough to create your own art to hang in your home or workplace.
If you know me as well as I expect you may from following Minnesota Prairie Roots, you would rightly guess that I prefer to find one-of-a-kind art at a bargain by shopping second-hand. Notice that I didn’t say bargain art. I said art at a bargain. There’s a difference.
My collection includes original paintings by hobbyist painters, prints by unknown artists, embroidered pieces by someone’s grandma… I’ve purchased most at unbelievably low prices—try 50 cents or $3.
Through the years I’ve even acquired an original Jose Maria de Servin painting and a vintage print of South Dakota artist Harvey Dunn’s “The Prairie is My Garden” at steal prices. Both times I had no idea what I was purchasing. I simply liked the art.
That’s the thing with me and art. I buy a piece of art not as an investment, but because I like it.
That said, I recently picked up a three-dimensional rendition of “The Last Supper” at the Salvation Army Store in Faribault. I debated whether I should pay $14 for the made-in-Spain art. In fact, I set the 24 x 17-inch piece down twice before watching another woman pick up and admire it. At that precise moment I decided I really wanted the unique art. I had to restrain my urge to run over and snatch it up after she set it back on the shelf. I waited until she was well out of grabbing range.
The Last Supper three-dimensional art I bought at The Salvation Army Store.
Later, the woman stood behind me in the check-out line and told me how she wished she had “The Last Supper” I clenched in my hands. “Then I saw you pick it up,” she said.
I responded with a seemingly casual remark: “Yeah, if you see something you think you might buy, you shouldn’t set it down…”
HOW ABOUT YOU? Where do you shop for art and what deals have you found?
Close up with Christ and the disciples at The Last Supper.
I hung the three-dimensional The Last Supper in my dining room.
© Copyright 2011 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
What a fun picture. I found a picture of Split Rock lighthouse at a thrift store here in Billings. I snatched that up before anyone else could even look at it. I have a couple unique pictures of angels, I also picked up at a thrift store. We have a couple original artworks by a western cowboy here at the house that were given as gifts. I love finding treasures at thrift stores!
Sounds like you found some real deals, especially that picture of Split Rock Lighthouse. I bet you were doing a happy dance all the way to the car.
May I ask the value of it
I don’t know the value of the art, only what I would find by searching online.
My husbands family member bought this exact 3d Last Supper wall art in the 60’s in England. I can not find any info on it except an old sticker that says Made In Spain on the back of the paper. I was told it was silver plated but I’m in doubt. When another family member took Tarnx to clean it they said it rubbed all the silver plating off. I took the backing and frame that is original to the 3d artwork off and have not found any markings .I’m interested in anything anyone can tell me about this.
You know more than I do about this piece. I had no idea it dated back to the 1960s. Thank you for commenting here.
http://religmuseum.com/unt/17263-vintage_3_dimensional_3d_last_supper_sculpture_wall_art_religious_icon_silver.html
I bought the same 3D ‘Last Supper’ at the Folsom CA Goodwill for $4.99.
I’d say you got a really good deal, even better than me.
Regarding value…
http://religmuseum.com/unt/17263-vintage_3_dimensional_3d_last_supper_sculpture_wall_art_religious_icon_silver.html
Oh, wow, I had no idea this art is worth this much. Thank you for the link.
I just purchased this same art piece at an antique shop today. I can’t seem to get the link to pop up on the value info. Any knowledge is appreciated. Thank You
Kimberly, it’s been five years since I purchased my de Servin. Here’s a link to the original post I published about the painting:
All I can suggest is to google it. How much did you pay for your painting?
I paid 18.00 in thrift store for the same 3-D last supper art sculpture. It has an old sticker that says it was made in Valencia Spain, copper with sterling overlay.Much hand work is done on these plaques to produce the three dimension figures. These plaques are considered the most beautiful in the world and with care will last forever. The silver is coated to prevent tarnishing.
The last Supper is the reproduction of the artist Raphael.
I couldn’t get the above link to come up on the value of this piece, your help would be appreciated, Thank You
Kimberly, you know more about this sculpture than I do. I wish I could help. But I researched this several years ago and perhaps the referring online site is now gone. My only suggestion is to continue your online search. It’s a beautiful work of art, isn’t it?
https://scontent-sjc2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/t31.0-8/12080288_874536879297924_7711877130808751766_o.jpg?efg=eyJpIjoidCJ9
I also bought this genuine Haviland pitcher from France and Goodwill. Hand painted. It too was $4.99. I estimate it at over 100 years old. It is in mint condition…not a scratch or chip on her. Must have been stored like treasure in a chest to remain so vibrantly colorful. Thank you for your website😃! I am having trouble learning about the last supper artwork…learner more then any where else.
Best, Gus Collins
You have quite the astute eye when it comes to art. Another great buy. This pitcher is beautiful.
It is beautiful, it will hang in my dining room 🙂
Mine hangs in my dining room during the Lenten season. I switch out my art. Enjoy yours. It’s beautiful.
Hi Audrey, I have a little information on the last supper picture. I was with my mother when she bought three of them in the early 70s in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. One for home, one for parish priest, and one for the church. Unfortunately our parish priest passed away and it went to his family. One hangs in my mothers church. And I was with my mother every day until she passed away for three years and unfortunately my no longer considered brother went into my parents home in stole it because everybody wanted it but I suggested it be sent to my fathers church in my parents name.
I have been looking for that for three years now and you were the only one I’ve come across that has it. If you ever I want to salad please contact me.
Renee Raymond
Renee, thanks for reaching out to me and sharing the importance of this The Last Supper art to you personally. First, I am sorry for the loss of your mother and the challenges that followed with your brother.
At this time I’m not interested in selling my The Last Supper. But I will keep your contact info should I change my mind.
Thank you so very much♥️If you every come across another one Please keep me in mind♥️
I will.
Hi Audrey – my grandparents recently passed on and I inherited this same last supper piece. [As a child, I admired it hanging above grandmas china cabinet and am beyond blessed to have been given it when I asked for it] I have no intention of selling this but am curious about its value. Any ballpark? The links others have shared have expired.
Kindly,
Michael, I have no idea on its value. The true value as I see it is in the connection to your grandparents. When my mom died more than two years ago, I wanted The Good Shepherd framed print that hung in my parents’ bedroom as a child and in my mom’s care center room until her death. I have it now and, after the fact, learned the picture was a wedding gift to my parents. It is among my most treasured works of art. Just as I expect your Last Supper piece now is to you.
I appreciate your thinking – its just an item yet looking at it brings me back to so long ago… weekend away sleepovers in a terribly uncomfortable pull out bed – coming down the stairs to the best “General Mills” breakfast Duluth could offer… that picture was always there. 🙂
(Grandma was Scottish and purchased it in France in the early 60s before coming to the States)
Some items (and memories) simply can’t have a value placed on them – add in my own faith and its truly a priceless piece.
Thank you for your time, Audrey.
(I’m sorry about the loss of your Mother. My sincerest condolences.🙏❤)
Thank you for sharing your story with me. Now I understand the deep reasons why this art is a priceless piece to you. That you associate with all those wonderful times with your grandparents reveals how much you cherish this…and that is the real reason we should keep/hold on to items. Plus, it is a witness to your faith legacy and your faith. I’m sorry, too, for the loss of your grandparents.
I miss my mom. She died during the height of COVID (not of COVID), so I feel like I missed time with her. She lived 2.5 hours away. But I treasure my memories or her and the legacies of love and faith she left for me. She is at home with our Lord and that comforts me.