H. Hargrove oil painting Barn Windmill Horse wagon

The chances of this being an original oil painting are, unfortunately, low. "H. Hargrove," the well-known pseudonym of Italian artist, Nicolo Sturiano, has become an exceedingly wealthy man by almost single-handedly popularizing the notion of collecting "limited edition" prints- on paper and on canvas. The really unfortunate part of this, for any person buying art specifically for re-sale, is that an edition can be in the hundreds or it can be in the thousands. Add to that that there are even different types of prints, and you reeeeeally have to be an "H. Hargrove" specialist to know what kind of canvas you actually have. You'd think such information would be placed on the print, but that seems to be a part of Sturiano's genius. Being not only a gifted artist, but an insightful businessman, as well, he realized that such confusion could be worked so that it was of benefit to him, so, in order to gain any real knowledge of his full body of work, you almost have to join the "Hargrove Collector's Guild." (This is about the only way to be assured of gaining access to the entire list of all the "H. Hargrove" prints and paintings, as Sturiano has been nothing if not exceedingly productive in his "Hargrove" role.)

Thankfully, there is another site that an "H. Hargrove" fan started, where you can take the time to go through the lists that are posted there of the most popular pieces, in hopes of finding out exactly which canvas you have, and when it was produced. You will find the limited editions posted here:

http://www.hargrovepaintings.com/limiteds.html

All other editions are posted here:

http://www.hargrovepaintings.com/open_editions.html

You can also go to Nicolo Sturiano's own "H. Hargrove" site, of course, which is, simply, "Hargrove.com." (I never really understood why Sturiano felt he had to change his name for this series of art, but I guess that that was planned out, as well. I guess in some worlds, it does sound more "American." Less colorful, no doubt, but it is certainly plain and down home.)

On any values you find listed on either of these sites, I do warn you, it is unlikely you will get the amount they suggest when you do re-sale. As you said, yourself, this guy is popular, and so his prints on canvas abound (I found 30 on eBay, alone) where you can find them priced for no more than ten bucks, or as much as several thousand dollars.

I worked for "H Hargrove" in the '80's, and I can tell you how the paintings were created.  They were silk-screened to a point, and then hand-painted--but not by H Hargrove himself, rather by any one of several employees.  Sturiano taught us his techniques for blending colors (especially the red/green/brown barns).  We did use oil paints.  Basically, after creating the original, the only thing Sturiano did was to sign each painting.  

As for choosing the name "H Hargrove", Sturiano did choose it because he felt it was more American-sounding.  He truly loves his adopted country, and celebrates it in his art.

Personally, I am glad to see that Sturiano is finally painting under his own name.  He is an extremely talented man, much like Norman Rockwell.

Category: Painting

Item: Oil painting on canvas

Distinguished marks: Signed H Hargrove

Size 12x16

Heavy frame

Excellent condition

Found at resale shop

Blacksmith shop with horse in a winter scene...a house