Painting By Former President Jimmy Carter Draws $340K In Auction

ATLANTA – An original oil painting by former President Jimmy Carter fetched $340,000 at an auction that raised more than $2 million for the Carter Center over the weekend.

The auction, which was held virtually over four days, included several popular items including signed photos of former presidents, a typewriter from actor Tom Hanks and a signed baseball by Joe DiMaggio.

But no item drew more than the former president’s original artwork entitled, “Cardinals,” which was one of three paintings from which the top bidder could choose from. The painting, which was valued originally at $100,000 by event organizers, drew almost 10 times more than any other item in the auction.

The painting, created by President Carter in 2018, was the subject of the Carters’ Christmas card that year.

Deanna Congileo, the press secretary for the former president, said in an email that Carter was not available for comment on the popularity of his painting.

All told, the auction raised $2.01 million, which included $123,000 for the Carter Center’s Mental Health Program. A list of all winning bids may be found here.

“These are difficult days for many people across the globe, and it means a lot that so many of you gave so generously to help make it possible for us to continue waging peace, fighting disease, and building hope,” Carter Center CEO Paige Alexander said in a news release.

In addition to the painting, the top items included:

• An autographed photo of five presidents: $38,500
• A signed photo of former president Barack Obama, Michelle Obama and President Carter: $25,811
• Three vintage wood bowls made by Russ Filbeck: $25,000
• Tom Hanks typewriter: $18,750
• An autographed photo of six former First Ladies: $115,000.

The DiMaggio signed baseball, which was valued at $300 and sold for $3,055 received the highest number of bids.