Beautifully executed pastel in subtle white, gray and tan, this is an image of Sacre Coeur and Montmartre in snow, signed at lower left by artist R. A. Badenhop. I am unable to locate an artist of this name, despite the obvious quality of the work, which measures 20" by 16 1/2" (27" by 23 1/2" framed). The empty streets, teeming with tourists and visitors on more pleasant summer days, make for an unusual sight in this famous and crowded section of Paris...

Eugenia Grant's floral works in pastel are amazing achievements, often leading people to think they are prints. This is a glorious original work, 22" by 27", framed behind glass (28" by 33" framed), and signed at lower right. The realistic depiction of flowers, Asian porcelain vessels, patterned textile backdrop, and reflection in table top, is very impressive indeed. I have seen a number of works by this highly underrated artist, and they always feature this impressive attention to detail...

An interesting pastel drawing on paper, circa 1940's, the subject a clear green glass vase of violet and blue flowers set on a round table top adjacent to a high-floor window in a big city, lacy curtains framing the scene at both sides. The envelope sitting on the table appears to have a signature on it, in the trompe l'oeil tradition of the artist signing his/her name on an envelope; but that signature despite my best efforts defies reading...

Pastel on paper laid on board, the subject fruits and a porcelain cup on a tabletop, a vase with at top center, 20" by 15 1/2" (27" by 23" as framed), signed at lower right "Olds" (MARION VALE OLDS 1901-1993). The work is a fine example by this talented woman artist, the cramped artistic space and carefully thought-out arrangement of the objects in that space indicative of an artist of great talent who is taking from Cezanne as well as the WPA (I would guess the age as circa 1930's or 1940's)...

Pastel on paper drawing of an attractive young blue-eyed, red-haired girl in white blouse with aqua bandana, apparently unsigned, 18 1/4" by 15" inside the mat, 25 1/2" by 22 1/4" in a modern gold frame with blue green mat and inner fillet...

A fine contemporary 9" by 12" pastel (19" by 21 1/2" nicely framed) drawing titled "Mission Seating", of a sun-washed stone bench in the historic courtyard of Mission San Juan Capistrano in Southern California, signed at lower right by noted California Art Club artist KAY BONANNO (1935-). The work retains on the backing a label indicating that this work was exhibited in the spring of 1996 at the Carnegie Art Museum in Oxnard, California...

Uncommonly exquisite, large original drawing in pastel, 25 1/2" by 19 1/2", 35 1/2" by 27 1/2" as professionally framed in bleached wood, signed at lower left and dated there '91 by the noted American artist LOU KOHL-MORGAN (1942-). Purchased recently in Portland, Maine, the work bears a gallery label from the Frick Gallery of Belfast, Maine. The title of the work is "Equinox". Frick Gallery on the central Maine coast was an active gallery in the late 1980's and early to mid 1990's...

An old pastel drawing of a New England landscape in winter, 11 1/2" by 17 1/2" (18 1/2" by 22" framed), signed at lower right "MORRIS". The work is after the noted American artist GEORGE HENRY DURRIE (1820-1863). The heartwarming scene of Americana includes yellow house at right, yellow and red outbuildings, sleighs, split rail fence, tiny figures and bare trees. It could also be in imitation of Currier and Ives lithographs of Durrie's works...

Pastel drawing of a path among trees at day's end, 9 1/2" by 5 3/4" (13" by 9" framed), signed at lower right by artist E. W. Rost, or possibly E. Vyrost (Vyrost is a Czech surname). The work has a Tonalist or Barbizon feeling. There is an American artist Rost but with different initials, and that artist created mostly etchings. Condition of the drawing is excellent, though the frame has considerable wear, especially at bottom and left.

Pastel on paper work, the subject a wintry tree and split rail fence in a snowy landscape, a distant house with smoke from a chimney suggestive of a snug refuge from the cold. The work is signed at lower left "E Taylor". Most likely, the date of execution is within ten years of the turn of the century. Condition is excellent. Measurements are 12" by 17 3/4" inside the mat and 21 1/2"by 26" in silvery modern framing with gold tint (some wear noted especially at bottom)...

PAIR of pastel drawings of stone buildings in Israel, each 13 1/4" by 9 1/4" (19" by 14 3/4" in simple light wood frames), each signed "N. Kobi", one dated '87, the other '89. I do not see a listing for the artist, who seems to have been skilled with pastel. Both works are clean. The frames have wear that could possibly be sanded out.