Discarded Louis Wain paintings fetch £16,000 at auction

A couple in Pembrokeshire discovered two paintings by Louis Wain in a skip while walking their dog. They initially intended them as a gift for their daughter-in-law, who later returned them. After years on their wall, they researched the artist and were astonished to learn of his fame. The paintings sold for £16,000 at Rogers Jones Auctioneers. Wain (1860-1939) was a celebrated British artist known for cat depictions, studied and taught at the West London School of Art, and was certified insane in 1924. A biographical film, The Electrical Life of Louis Wain (2021), starred Benedict Cumberbatch and Claire Foy. Auctioneer Ben Rogers Jones noted that while skip finds are unusual, sellers must prove ownership.