Norman Rockwell's Painting Of Umpires Rakes In $1.6M At Auction

DALLAS, TX — An Austin family just sold a painting at auction for $1.6 million — but initially, they had no idea it was worth so much.

The painting was created by Norman Rockwell, the iconic American artist, and it depicts one of his best known baseball-themed paintings.

The work was a study, or a preliminary work, for Rockwell's "Tough Call." (For more local news coverage, subscribe to the Dallas Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts.)

The painting depicts three umpires looking skyward pondering whether to call a game because of rain. It's arguably the most recognizable of his baseball-themed works.

Heritage Auctions says the painting sold Sunday in Dallas to a buyer who wants to remain anonymous.

The final painting is in the possession of the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York.

Photo credit: Heritage Auctions via AP