Bull market in Greenspan art

Some art majors embrace abstract impressionism. Others go for postmodernism or neo-cubism. Erin Crowe opted for Alan Greenspanism.

Fascinated by the Federal Reserve Board chairman’s inscrutable visage and towering reputation, the 24-year-old University of Virginia graduate spent the better part of two years working on unauthorized portraits of Greenspan.

Looking to make a few bucks before heading to graduate school in England this fall, Crowe decided to display the works at a family friend’s gallery in Sag Harbor, N.Y., vacation home to many Greenspan-worshiping Wall Streeters.

From the moment the Greenspan images appeared, people began wandering in off the street to gaze at the paintings. Several bought paintings, telling stories of how they adored the Fed chairman, how he had saved the world and made them millions.

But things really exploded on Tuesday after financial news network CNBC aired a brief segments on the paintings. Gallery owner Sally Breen’s phone immediately started ringing and did not stop until all 18 paintings on display had been sold for prices ranging from $1,000 to $4,000.

“It was overwhelming; I’ve never experienced anything like it,” Breen said. “I had money managers calling form Nevada, Dallas, California. I had one woman call, I don’t know what she did for a living, but said Greenspan was her hero, and she had to have a painting.”