Seattle Gallery Fire Ruins Picassos, Rembrandts, And Goyas

Irreplaceable artworks by Picasso, Rembrandt, Goya, and M.C. Escher are among those feared lost after a fire swept through a Seattle art gallery on Friday, as reported by Cheri Mossburg and Brammhi Balarajan for CNN.

Davidson Galleries specializes in works on paper – specifically etchings, lithographs, and woodcuts. I Photo: Joel Mebel Wikimedia Commons

Authorities believe someone started a fire in the alley behind the gallery to warm themselves, and it spread into the three-story building. Firefighters responded to 911 calls at 6:39 a.m. Friday, as stated by the Seattle Fire Department.

At that time, temperatures in the area hovered in the low 20s. No injuries were reported in the fire, which investigators have since ruled accidental.

“Much of the work, we hope, will be saved. We’re triaging them now,” said Davidson Galleries manager Rebecca McDonald. It may take weeks for the gallery to determine the fate of the works of the famed artists.

Davidson Galleries specializes in works on paper – specifically etchings, lithographs, and woodcuts, as owner Sam Davidson told CNN.

He had amassed between 16,000 to 18,000 pieces over the past 50 years. The oldest piece in the collection dates back to 1490, while the newest pieces were created just last week, McDonald said.

WEEKLY FEATURE : Jose Mari Chan And The Christmas Anthem