Painting

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Posted by dreinhart
16 years ago
AI Appraisal
💬 5 Comments 🗣️ Discuss with Community
Description My mother bought this painting and has no idea where it came from or who has owned it. It has always been a mystery and because it often looks out of place in the typical living room she always kept it hanging in a back room. We've always joked that she has a rembrandt or that the declaration of independence is hidden in the frame but no one has taken it seriously. Although, it might be a reprint of a popular painting we just don't know. We'd like to know anything about it. Who made it? Who is the subject of the portrait? Where was it painted? When was it painted? Is it valuable and what do we need to do to protect it? Any help would be greatly appreciated by our family. The painting is in good condition although I'm sure it would be much more stunning if it was cleaned and protected. The frame is large and made of a dark wood. The painting has no tears or damage and is in good condition. Here is a picture. Please help!
Category Paintings
Medium canvas, unknown
Distinguishing marks upper left, looks like rembran or rembrand, hard to make out
Condition Excellent
Size and dimensions of this item 20 X 24 approximately with a bulky, dark wood frame
Date Period not recent but could be a reprint made in the 20th century
Weight several pounds including the frame
History My mother bought it at a garage sale in the early 1970s for a few dollars
eBay Auction Link
Price Paid (If known) $5-15
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Submitted by Dee 1961

Paintings are funny, unless you can physically examine the item there is little to be known. Some paintings were done in the 20's through 40's that are of high quality and where street vendor reproductions where the same theme or subject was repainted "over and over" for tourists or imported into the USA. Even lithograph prints as an example are now routinely reproduced with high-end scanners and prnters making anything but a physical examination of the item required to perform a genuine assesment of worth. There was an I Love Lucy episode where they went on vacation and both bought the "rare" painting.. And finally; paintings are funny.. I started with it and end with it as the worth of the painting should be weighed with the question, do I like the painting? But short holding the piece and performing a physical examination, guessing is that.. I have sadly told more than a few people that the items that have are reproductions after a careful examination and careful close examination under high magnification.

Submitted by dreinhart

First step is: Who created the "original?" Second step: Who is the picture of? That's what we want to know more than what it's worth. If the original is high in value then we move to the step of having it examined for authenticity and what type of print it might be. Thanks for your help and insight

Submitted by Dee 1961

I'd love to do all the work for you but cannot. However if you examine the frame of the painting you might get some clues. As an example the type of fasteners if any in the frame construction will give an indicator of age. If the frame has staples it is rather new, mass produced machine nails pushed from wire, new.. etc.. The frame is a clue often when the painting tells you nothing. I'm sure the name and identity of the individual portrayed are known by the artist. I have no idea if there is an original or if this was the original. Try googling oil on canvas and see what YOU come up with.

Submitted by dreinhart

Do you know of a painting expert that could give me specific information? Thanks

Submitted by Lovejoy

Paintings are really not something anyone should try and evaluate from images, regardless of their clarity. That being said, the vast majority of paintings by unknown artists often sell at auction for under $200.00 as decorator pieces. What you really need to do is contact a local museum or auction hall and get a referral, they should have somebody on file who can provide an assessment as to what you have. Lovejoy
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