It would appear that Solario painted a smaller, twin sister
to the Virgin of the Green Cushion that didn’t go to the Louvre.
Wizzo did his best to buy this little painting but he got blown out
by the big boys. (The auctioneers didn’t have a clue what they
had been asked to auction, so they published an estimated
selling-price range based on the 300-year age of the frame,
not the 500-year old Solario itself.) Rarely does an item sell
for more than the “high” estimate of the auction house.
Think about it: If you bid more than the high estimate,
even the auction house thinks you’re paying too much.
Wizzo bid 4 times the high estimate.
The painting went for twice that much
and still sold way too cheap.
Evidently, the wizard isn’t the only
goober out there paying attention.
Better luck next time Wizzo.