A man visiting a landfill in Cologne, Germany made an extraordinary discovery when he found several paintings that are estimated to be worth approximately 90,000 euros ($98,000). The valuable artworks were simply left beside garbage containers at the waste disposal site, though it remains unclear who abandoned them there.
Kerem Akar, who operates an art gallery in Cologne's Ehrenfeld district, made the surprising find while disposing of his own trash. Speaking to regional reporters, Akar explained that something caught his attention as he was about to leave the landfill. The paintings had been placed next to one of the large waste containers, seemingly discarded like ordinary garbage.
Upon closer inspection, Akar discovered the signature of artist Ole Fischer on the back of the canvases. Recognizing the name, he decided to load ten of the paintings into his car as a precautionary measure. "Because I had heard the name before, I took ten paintings with me," Akar told reporters. His instincts proved correct when later research confirmed the authenticity and value of his discovery.
Ole Fischer, the artist whose work Akar found, passed away in 2005, but his paintings continue to be traded at several auction houses. The discovery represents a significant find in the art world, particularly given the circumstances under which the works were found. Fischer's posthumous market value has made these discarded pieces considerably valuable.
For Akar, however, the discovery is about more than monetary gain. "I'm not concerned about the money that could be made from these paintings," he emphasized to reporters. Instead, his primary motivation is ensuring that the artworks receive proper appreciation and respect. He believes that no deceased artist deserves to have their life's work treated as disposable trash.
To honor Fischer's legacy and give the rescued paintings the recognition they deserve, Akar plans to display several of the recovered works at his gallery in December. This exhibition will not only showcase the rescued art but also tell the remarkable story of their discovery and salvation from a landfill.
Unfortunately, not all of Fischer's works could be saved from their unfortunate fate. Akar reported that he left additional paintings at the landfill because they had suffered too much damage from exposure to the elements and rough handling. The condition of these remaining pieces made them unsuitable for restoration or display, representing a permanent loss to the art world.
