When Helene Plotkin bought a painting for less than £100 at a White Plains thrift store in the 1960s, she had no idea it would one day fetch over £250,000. Now, thanks to a combination of her keen eye and Google's Gemini A.I., the family has sold their long-lost artwork at auction.

The painting, a portrait of a chic woman in a dark dress and 1920s turban, was originally thought to be titled 'Portrait of Miss Don Wauchope' but no signature was visible. Barry Plotkin, Helene’s son, turned to Gemini for help, uploading the image and asking what it knew about the work.

Gemini suggested the painting might be by F.C.B. Cadell, a noted Scottish artist from 1883-1937, and pointed the Plotonks towards auction house Lyon & Turnbull in Edinburgh for verification. Specialists there confirmed it was indeed Cadell's work and retitled it to 'Woman with Turban', one of his masterpieces.

The piece sold at auction on 4 June for £189,200 plus fees, a far cry from the original purchase price. Helene Plotkin, now aged 88, said: “I never, never thought about it at all; other than I loved the painting.” This case showcases how A.I. can revolutionise art appraisal and market discovery.