This painting is something of a mystery, in that it depicts a fantastic classic castle on a hill, obviously in the Old World, a donkey pulling a card in the foreground......yet, there is a modernity to the work, especially in the somewhat cubist handling of the lines of the architecture, but, also, there's modernity in the entire structure of the image. Painted on an old board, this measures 26" by 18" (30" by 22" in a modern frame). The painting is signed at lower right "M...

Oil on canvas painting of autumnal trees with a few houses in the composition at center, 12" by 16" (20 1/2" by 24 1/2" in newer frame), signed at lower right in red and dated 1933 or 1939 by Hungarian artist JANOS LASZLO ALDOR (1895-1944). As the images of the reverse labels show, the artist was apparently misidentified by previous owners, including the Brand Library in Glendale, California. Aldor painted landscapes of his native land, as well as often elegant portraits and nudes...

Oil on canvas painting of a fetching young woman resting next to what appears to be a drum, 21" by 12" (24" by 14" in wood frame), signed at lower right and again on the reverse (both name and "Firenze"--Florence---) by Italian artist CIPRIANO CEI (1864-1922). The subject looks coyly at the viewer, as she takes a break in her day. An interesting wall of advertising posts at upper left adds interest. Cei was born near Venice and died in Rome...

Oil on board, 18" by 30" (23" by 35" as framed), the scene at dockside in Venice, Italy, gondolas at the ready and figures walking the dock, sun-washed buildings in the background. The painting is signed, though awkwardly, at lower left "Arthur V. Diehl", leading me to think originally that this was by that noted American impressionist painter who died in 1929 (Diehl had created throughout his lifetime, from memory, mostly, Venice scenes, even though he had only visited there as a young man)...

Oil painting of the front of a noted cafe, "La Bonne Entente", signed at lower right by artist "Vanet". This 8 1/4" by 10" (14 1/4" by 16 1/4" framed) work is by a Bulgarian woman artist by the name IVANKA PETROVA-TZEKOV, born 1956. She has been in France since 1983, painting colorful, figure-filled works of nightclubs and other scenes with multiple figures. She was a 1982 graduate of the Academy of Fine Arts in Sofia...

A circa mid 20th century oil on Masonite landscape painting of trees and a wide stream, 20" by 36" (25 1/2" by 31" framed), signed in Russian or possibly Ukrainian (or, Armenian?) at lower left. The work currently has a yellowish cast which appears to be nicotine from cigarette smoke. Were it to be cleaned the painting might well be totally a different color, but the yellowish "autumnal" tone seems to work on its own. Condition is very good with only a few light abrasions.

Oil on canvas painting of classic red highland cattle in an extensive landscape, signed at lower left "Louis B. Hurt" and titled in pencil on stretcher "on the cliffs as Malaige" (Mallaig) (on the southwestern coast of Scotland near Skye). The work measures 20" by 30" on the stretchers and 28" by 38" in heavy attractive late 20th century framing. On the stretcher is written in chalk "April 4 - 30"...

Oil on canvas painting of a young woman accompanied by a knight in a secluded landscape including a wall at left, 15" by 10" (arched top), 21 1/2" by 16 1/2" in modern day dark tasteful framing, signed at lower left center "TFaed". This could be an image of "Highland Mary" Campbell, to whom Scottish poet Robert Burns had a romantic attachment in the 1780's...

Tender image of a young mother discretely nursing her baby, 25 1/4" by 22", (31 1/2" by 29" in attractive frame), signed at lower right by the Hungarian-born impressionist artist HUGO MATZENAUER (1923-2013)...

A nicely worked painting of a lovely flamenca dancer in Spain, circa 1950's, 20 1/4" by 16 1/2" plus narrow frame, signed at lower right by listed artist CESAR VILOT. Vilot was active at mid century, and is known for his alluring paintings of females both nude and dressed, some painted in the style of Jean Gabriel Domergue. The painting has even soiling consistent with age, and a few minor abrasions, see at left below flounce of dress and to her right about 1/4 of the way down...

Oil on canvas spring country landscape complete with peasant goose herder, two houses by a pond or small lake and flowering trees at right, 24" by 36", unframed, signed at lower left by listed Hungarian artist JOSEPH DANDE (1911-1969). Dande seems to have painted in the style pioneered by better known artist Laszlo Neogrady. Neogrady painted very similar spring country landscapes, as well as his signature snow-laden mid winter trees----and Dande has also painted those winter landscapes...

Oil on canvas landscape of country cottages and feathery trees on the banks of a small pond or marsh, 9" by 12" (13" by 21" in its modern frame), signed at lower right "S. Clark", the subject given on the framing label as "On the Arun--Sussex". This is a painting by SAMUEL JOSEPH CLARK (1841-1928), a noted 19th century painter of rural landscapes and genre. Sometimes he is listed as Samuel JAMES Clark--there appears to be some confusion in the auction record...

Found locally in Los Angeles, this is a large oil on canvas still life of orange and yellow garden nasturtiums in a blue and white old ceramic vessel, a ladies' fan and blue beads resting at its base, the colorful subjects placed elegantly in the neutral space of a cloth covered table and gray-white background, the work signed at lower right by the noted Spanish artist VICENTE SANTAOLARIA (1886-1967)...

A twentieth century Italianate landscape painting in convincing Old Master style, unframed, impressively large at 23 3/4" by 47 3/4", signed at lower left by noted Old Master style painter TONI BORDIGNON (born 1921). Bordignon's mastery of the subject matter and techniques of masters of previous centuries has led to his decorative and popular paintings being offered at auctions in Europe and America. He has captured the feathery trees, the classical ruins, and, most impressively yet, even the...

Oil on canvas, 18" by 30" (20" by 32 1/2" framed), the subject a very English one----a peaceful summery millpond or riverside scene of low, forested hills and their feathery trees, a small peaceful settlement, and a total of six figures, three out in a rowboat for an outing, and three tiny people gathered in the village of thatch roofed buildings, engaged in conversation, beneath a pretty sky. The work is signed at lower left "Allan"; this being a common name, many listed British artists might ...

Colorful, heavily impressionistic acrylic painting with palette knife, the subject beached wooden boats in a sunny Mediterranean coastal landscape, signed at lower left by listed French artist PIERRE MAS (1933-). The work measures 11 1/4" by 27" as framed. Mas used copious amounts of wet-looking, lush paint, creating an interesting surface and texture. Colors are very complementary and harmonious, the turquoise particularly pleasing. Overall, the painting is a most attractive Mid Century wor...

Oil on board painting of a farmstead in spring, 17 1/4" by 25", 21" by 28 1/2" framed, signed at lower left by the noted Swedish artist CARL MANSSON (1892-1976). Mansson was a prolific painter of country and farm scenes in southern Sweden. There does not seem to be a lot of biographical information available, but he left behind a body of work focusing on rural scenes of his native land. This example is quite typical of the country paintings, and it displays his evident affection for the land....

Large oil on heavy oak panel painting of an ornate cathedral interior, featuring the large organ, 35" by 29" (47" by 41" framed), titled on the reverse, dated there August 1916, and signed by the noted Czech painter FRANTISEK JELINEK (1890-1977). Jelinek's works have sold at auction in Europe, largely in the Czech Republic, where he is known as a painter of landscapes, nudes, and genre. It took me a while to figure out the name of the artist and the subject, and even the language (I thought th...