Esther Anna Hunt (1875-1951) is known today in California art circles as a keen observer of the traditional culture as displayed in San Francisco's Chinatown. Her paintings and plaster bust models of young girls in traditional costume make regular appearances in auctions of California art. This work appears to have been created by one of Hunt's many early 20th century imitators. Unsigned, there are what appear to be initials "M.E.E." on the inside of the mat and on the inside of the backing...

A fine, highly finished and detailed watercolor painting of a seated lady on a patio, her large lute at her side. The setting is possibly a castle, as a tower in the background suggests. The artist signed at lower right and dated the work 1875. It measures 13 1/2" by 9 1/4" (16 1/2" by 12 1/4" in its attractive circa 1930's framing (note the old Jordan Marsh department store label from Boston on reverse--could have been purchased or framed there). Frame shows some wear on right hand side...

A detailed watercolor painting on paper, 8" by 10" (13" by 15" in interesting old faux-grain painted wood frame with gold liner), unsigned, with old handwritten title remaining affixed to backing: "Dublin Royal Hospital". The early, nineteenth century work is in excellent condition and the frame alone is unusual and interesting. Note the tiny figures, horses, and wheeled cart...

Watercolor on paper drawing of a young man reading a newspaper, 11 1/2" by 15 1/4", unframed with old mat still attached, signed at lower right "B. Singer". This is a work of the noted California painter BURR SINGER (1912-1992). Singer is an important California woman artist, fine oil works bringing to the upper four figures at recent auctions. Born in St...

An original ink and watercolor painting of buildings and street activities in old Vienna, signed at lower right, not dated but circa 1910, by listed Austrian artist MAX NEUBAUER (1876-1920). The scene features a street car, a horse-drawn carriage, market stalls, elegant figures in period dress, children, dogs and antique buildings. At bottom is the word "Freihaus". The work measures 7 1/2" by 15 1/2" (13 1/2" by 22" in old framing, shipped without glass)...

Large watercolor painting, 21 1/2" by 29", 34 1/2" by 42" as presently framed, the subject traditional old bells hanging in a California mission tower, the blue sky visible through the opening, two white doves conveniently flying through the image, signed at lower right somewhat indecipherably and dated there 1989. The luminous work might have been painted as a prop for a movie or tv show, as markings/label on the reverse indicate. Condition is excellent...

An old watercolor of a street scene in Alsace (the portion of eastern France that borders Germany), featuring a well for water and a half timbered house wall, along with a pretty window with flowers in pots. The artist, AMELIE FOLEY-RISLER (1870-1947) signed at bottom left and the town is identified there as Niedermorschwihr, Alsace. The unframed watercolor, 14 3/4" by 11", is in excellent condition...

An accomplished watercolor of a spooky old Victorian house on a city block, signed at lower left by artist JOHN W. ATTERBURY and dated there 1944. The work measures 14" by 20" (24" by 29 1/2" in old stained oak wood frame). Titled in pencil "Yellow Windows" at lower center, the artist has created a work with very American qualities, and reminiscent of Edward Hopper's strangely empty and lonely structures, or perhaps those of Charles Burchfield...

By the highly underrated Japanese-born artist most closely associated with Minnesota, YAMADA BASKE (1869-1934), this is an early, ethereal 1904 watercolor landscape with tiny figures on a Japanese-style foot bridge, and nearby trees, in the spring, painted in a dreamy, reverie style with delicate light colors. Being so light and intentionally blanched in style, it is very difficult to photograph. The work measures 17 1/2" by 11 1/2" (24" by 17 1/2" framed)...

Watercolor painting of a street and pedestrian promenade on Union Street, in Bath, England, signed by artist Tim Fish. The work is dated December 9,1998 and signed there. Measurements are 7 3/4" by 11 3/4" inside the mat (13" by 17" in simple wood frame). There is presently no glass, but the work is in excellent condition. A nicely executed work by an artist who obviously is familiar with watercolor technique.

A vintage watercolor by an unknown amateur artist, titled at bottom "Santa Barbara Mission", unframed, measuring 14 1/2" by 11 3/4". The work on old paper would appear to date to maybe the 1930's or early 1940's at latest---think the "Route 66" era of travel in the American West (though this site is not on or near Route 66). It was likely created by or for a tourist. Note the Native Americans at center in the reflecting pool or fountain...

PAIR of old watercolor paintings of ceramic and metal objects on table tops in an interior, the first 21" by 28" framed, the second 19" by 24" framed, the larger work signed at lower right by European (French?) artist Joanny Rec. These are beautifully executed fine watercolors in excellent condition. I have found little information on the artist after an extensive online search. The name suggests a Belgian or French nationality, I would think, but I would not rule out another. The vases, pl...

A pair of framed watercolors, each signed by the artist, GEORGIA LEE, circa mid 1960's, the subject being familiar scenes of San Francisco: one, a pink hillside Mediterranean-style mansion most likely in the city's tony Pacific Heights section, (possibly on Divisadero, or Broderick or Fillmore); the other a downtown view towards the Ferry Building and the Embarcadero Freeway, (which was built in 1959---thereby helping us to date the works). That image is now of historical interest as the freew...

This is an interesting very old monochromatic watercolor, circa late 18th century or very early 19th, measuring 4 1/2" by 8 3/4" (11" by 14" framed). The drawing has the feel of an old master drawing. The scene includes tiny figures, buildings, a willowy tree at right, and what appears as an isolated hill or butte-like feature in the distance. The work itself is not signed, but at lower right, written very faintly in pencil in the mat, is "Waterloo" and another word that is difficult to decip...

This is a larger than typically seen watercolor of roses, in the style prevalent around the turn of the century. The work is signed at lower right corner "E. J. Fischer". Measurements are 20" by 29" and 25" by 34" in the white wood frame. There is a listing for an artist in Denmark by that name but I believe this to be an American work and unrelated to the European artist. Condition is excellent. Found in Southern California. The work is behind a large sheet of the old style non-glare glas...

Watercolor painting of roses in a pitcher, candlesticks and furniture completing the arrangement, an interesting patterned light from the window panes streaming in at an angle, signed at lower right by contemporary artist "T. Williams" and dated 1998. The work measures 20 1/4" by 27" (31" by 38" in wood framing). This is extremely clean and fresh and ready for display. I do not have a handle at this time on the identity of the artist, but the work was purchased in San Diego.

This is a very nicely done watercolor painting of a young woman in a flowered hat, holding more roses in her hands, executed in the style of the noted illustrator and artist Harrison Fisher (1875-1934). The work, 10 3/4" by 8 3/4" (16 1/4" by 14 1/2" framed) likely dates to about 1905 or 1910. It is laid down on a card and the mat is laid over that. I have peeked underneath and do not see any evidence of a signature. A fine addition to a lady's dressing area. Condition is very good. There ...

Ink on tan paper drawing measuring 9 1/2" by 15 1/4", 19 1/4" by 24" framed (no glass presently), titled on backing on a tattered Midtown Gallery, New York (important mid century art gallery there) "Under the Bridge". This is a drawing from under the Oakland Bay Bridge on the San Francisco waterfront, the Golden Gate Bridge to Marin County appearing small in the distance. Some of the buildings along the waterfront, such as the iconic Ferry Terminal, are visible. Kingman was one of the most im...