Art auction to benefit Benedictine

A former student's donation of a mysterious artwork hand-delivered in a pillowcase may enable a monk at Lisle's Benedictine University to realize a dream.

The piece, now known to be created by Florentine artist Niccolo Di Tommaso in the 1350s, will be auctioned today by Christie's in New York City.

The auction house has estimated the portable triptych's value at $500,000 to $700,000 -- a far cry from the roughly $5,000 a West suburban appraiser initially valued it at, said Karen Lennox of Lennox Galleries in Chicago, who assisted in the latest appraisal.

"It is as beautiful closed as it is open," Lennox said. "It had amazing history. It's a culmination of a life's work. "

The late Paul Donovan, who grew up in Wheaton, bequeathed the religious artwork to Benedictine University in the name of his former high school teacher and longtime friend, the Rev. Michael Komechak.

Komechak, curator of Benedictine University's collection, has been gathering artwork -- more than 3,000 pieces -- for the school since 1978.

"I've got art all over the campus," Komechak said. "It's always been a dream ... I'd like to have a gallery. Art is something. It's a heritage. It's not disposable."

An art history major in college, Komechak immediately knew the gift was worth more than the initial estimate. But just how much, he had no idea.

He contacted Lennox, a friend who'd helped him appraise prior donations, who then contacted colleagues at the Metropolitan Museum in New York.

Based on their enthusiastic responses, she knew she had a rare treasure on her hands. So with some sketchy initial information, she contacted Christie's.

Research eventually revealed Niccolo Di Tommaso had created the piece, featuring the Madonna and Child with Saint John the Baptist and Saint Peter and depictions of the Crucifixion and the Virgin Annunciate.

Professor Miklos Boskovits, a scholar of Florentine paintings, authenticated the piece. A replica painting of it was illustrated in a book when it was owned by a New York art collector.

Part of the value stems from the fact the piece is intact, Lennox said. Triptychs often have been taken apart and sold in pieces, she said.

The Donovans, who recently have lived in the Northwest suburbs, couldn't bear to have it stored in a room -- much less taken apart, Gail Donovan said. They felt it should be viewed and appreciated, as it would be at Benedictine University.

"I was just doing what my husband asked, and then the miracle occurred," she said. "It's outrageous and amazing. I still don't quite believe it. As far as I'm concerned, it's a $5,000 to $10,000 piece.

"I'm just delighted that it can bring more art and beauty into Benedictine University and expand their (art) program that Father Michael has worked so hard for. It just feels right. I really have no desire to have a huge lifestyle change."

The triptych had been previously owned by New York art collector Albert Stein, followed by former Chicago Union Stockyards Chairman Frederick H. Prince. Then distant cousin William Wood Prince and his wife, Eleanor, patrons of the arts who have donated Impressionist pieces to the Art Institute of Chicago, gave it to James and Doris Donovan.

James Donovan had been co-trustee with William Wood Prince of the Frederick Prince's charitable foundation. Donovan left the piece to his oldest son, Paul, who had developed a close, longtime friendship with his high school teacher, the Rev. Michael Komechak after graduating from St. Procopius Academy, now known as Benet Academy in Lisle.

"James Donovan was a devout Catholic, so Prince thought he'd appreciate it (the triptych)," Komechak said.

Some of the proceeds from the auction -- $50,000 -- will go to Lisle's Benet Academy for artwork, and the remainder will go toward establishing an art gallery at the university.

"I'm praying for a lot of bidders," Komechak said.