Framed Oil Painting of Windmill

By maisonvivante, 14 August, 2008
Description

Picture is of a windmill. The frame is unique in that it is made of a shamrock design. Could that mean it's an Irish painting? Irish windmill?

These pictures are the only ones I have at the moment. I will try and post some more if there is any interest in this. I'd love to find out more about this painting. To me, it looks late 1800's to 1920 at the latest, but I know very little about paintings! Any help is much appreciated.

Category
Paintings
Medium
canvas, frame is gesso and gilded
Distinguishing marks
Signed "F. Bral***" I can't make out the last two or three letters. And I may not be right about the "ral" part, but that's what it looks like.
Condition
Excellent
Size and dimensions of this item
Around 3ft. by 3.5"
Date Period
? I'm pretty sure this is old--the paint looks like there is a spotty brownish varnish on the top layer
History
It came from a high end estate with lots of high quality antique items
eBay Auction Link
Price Paid (If known)
NA
For Sale?
No
Photos

maisonvivante

16 years 9 months ago

So here's a little more information on this painting: It has cracks in the surface of the paint that run parallel to the stretcher bars. I've read that this means the painting is at least 60 years old?

Also, there are little brownish granules on the surface of the painting, one about every inch or so. Again, this makes me think this is an older piece.

Can anyone tell me what style this painting is done in? It looks to my (very!) untrained eye to be traditionally styled, but with some influences of the impressionists, since there isn't an attempt for some kind of photorealism. So that places it somewhere between 1880 and 1940, maybe?

The frame, with its stylized shamrock design suggest more the 1920's to me. So I'm thinking it's a 20's or 30's painting.

Anybody else have any ideas? Surely there are some art experts on here. I'd love to hear your thoughts! :)

No votes yet

artie412

16 years 9 months ago

The subject suggests someone painting in the Delft school, trying to mime Vermeer or contemporaries. The sky suggests JMW Turner of England early 19th century. All art is derivatitve (not a judgment), and this straddles styles. Oil paintings can crackle if not done "thin over fat" so that is not an ironclad indicator of age. A photo of the rear of the painting, including the method of stretcher and canvas stapling, gluing or tacking would help with ID. How the frame is similarly constructed is important too. Any signature evident anywhere? Artie
No votes yet

maisonvivante

16 years 9 months ago

Thanks Artie!  Your information is really helpful.  I downloaded 3 more pictures, including one of the back.  Please let me know if other pictures would help. 

 

The signature says something like "F. Braling."  I included a picture of it, but it's hard to see. 

No votes yet

maisonvivante

16 years 8 months ago

I'm still hoping Artie or someone else can give me some more information now that I've posted more pictures. I'm mostly interested in the age of the painting.
No votes yet