An iconic painting that once hung in The Palace Hotel in San Francisco will come home later this month.
The "Pied Piper of Hamelin," by Maxfield Parrish, hung in the hotel for more than a century, since it was commissioned in 1909. But, in March, it was taken down and sent to New York for auction at Christie's.
Art historians and neighbors quickly started a petition to bring the painting home, and the hotel eventually agreed.
Apparently, the outcry was loud enough to make a difference.
The painting has now been restored and will be unveiled in the Pied Piper bar at the hotel on August 22.
Due to its prime location behind the bar, the painting reportedly had both smoke and liquid stains.
The Palace, 2 New Montgomery Street, is owned by Kyo-ya Hotels and Resorts.
Local
Kyo-ya issued a release back in March that said, in part, "Given the local community’s affection for Maxfield Parrish’s The Pied Piper painting, Kyo-ya Hotels and Resorts, owners of The Palace Hotel, have reconsidered the sale of the beloved piece, which will remain on property."
The painting is valued at between $3 million and $5 million.
