Bob Ross' First Artwork From 'The Joy Of Painting' On Sale For $9.8 Million

The art world is abuzz as a historic piece of art crafted by the legendary Bob Ross during his television debut is up for sale.

What Happened: The painting, titled "A Walk in the Woods," was the centerpiece of the inaugural episode of "The Joy of Painting," a show that began its illustrious journey on PBS in 1983, with Ross' tranquil demeanor and gentle strokes that created nature landscapes captivating audiences. 

The painting, which carries a monumental value of $9.8 million, has found a temporary home at the Modern Artifact gallery in Minneapolis.

The owner of the gallery, Ryan Nelson, shared his aspiration for the artwork to grace a museum or a traveling exhibit, allowing the masses to witness this one-of-a-kind masterpiece, according to CNN. 

Also Read: Here's How Much Someone Just Paid For Warren Buffett's Autographed Portrait

"It's a truly irreplicable, one-of-a-kind painting," Nelson stated, acknowledging the heightened interest in Ross' creations, spurred by a wave of nostalgia sweeping across social media platforms.

The painting was initially auctioned at a PBS fundraiser in 1983. An individual who volunteered at the PBS station during the filming of the first episode became its proud owner.

The show, which ran until 1994, was a sanctuary for many, with Ross' soothing voice guiding them in painting their own nature landscapes.

Nelson revealed to CNN that collectors have been the main force behind the surge in demand for Bob Ross' paintings. 

Now Read: How This 23-Year-Old Immigrant Earns Up To $240 Per Hour Clowning Around

This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Photo: Jeff Nyveen via flickr