Painting by artist Charles Conner goes for $15K

RICHMOND, Ind. (AP) - A century-old painting by an artist who was part of the Richmond Group of artists stunned some observers by selling for $15,000 at an eastern Indiana auction.

An Indianapolis collector bought Charles Conner's 1900 painting of a farm house, stream and waterfall at Friday's auction at the National Guard Armory in Richmond.

Richmond Art Museum executive director Shaun Dingwerth tells the Palladium-Item some were surprised by the price the 22-inch by 13 1/2-inch work commanded but he wasn't because Conner's works are rare.

The Fountain City artist died in 1905 following a lifetime of ills that limited his output.

Auctioneer Shane Hawkins says Conner gave the painting to a co-worker at the Hoosier Drill company and it likely hung in a Richmond home for more than 100 years.