A painting by late artist Bob Ross completed on air during the first episode of his hit TV show "The Joy of Painting" is for sale for $9.85 million.
The Art Newspaper, which first reported the news, described the price for "A Walk in the Woods" as a "not-for-sale number." Minnesota-based Modern Artifact gallery's Ryan Nelson told local news outlet Valley News Live he would prefer to have as many people as possible see it.
"You could call it the rookie card of Bob Ross. This is the painting painted on Season 1, Episode 1," Nelson said.
Nelson said he might be reluctant to sell it despite having listed it online.
"I would consider any situation where we can put it out to the public. I would rather be able to travel the piece ... let other people enjoy it," Nelson said.
The gallery bought "A Walk in the Woods" from a woman working at PBS during the filming of the show, Valley News Live reported.
Nelson said the woman had the painting for the last 40 years and likely paid under $100 for it, but declined to reveal how much Modern Artifact decided to pony up.
If sold, the piece would include a written statement from the original owner.
Art News noted Ross had hosted "The Joy of Painting" on PBS from 1983 to 1994 — amassing more than 400 episodes — and that the vast majority of the paintings he made for the show are stored in the offices of Bob Ross Inc. The artist died in 1995.
In a statement, Nelson declared "we are seeing a huge demand for his original works, which are hard to come by," Art News reported.
"It is hard to put a value on the piece given the movement, the popularity and the fact that this is the very first on-air painting on 'The Joy of Painting.' If someone were to make a seven-figure offer, we would, of course, consider that. Until then, we plan to tour this Bob Ross painting that started it all."
The first-ever episode in which Ross paints the now pricey work can be viewed on YouTube.
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