A very sweet oil on canvas painting of several young ice skaters in Holland in winter, the scene completed by a classic windmill in the left distance and snowy roofs at right. The work is signed at lower right in red "M. Leuty" or "Lenty". I do not see an obvious listed artist that would correspond. Measurements are 22" by 16", and 26" by 20" framed. Despite the European subject matter, the artist could be American; materials used suggest that possibility...

A scarce oil on canvas PAINTING (not the usual prints seen), signed at lower left by the noted French 20th century impressionist painter CHARLES BLONDIN (1913-1991). Blondin was active in Paris in the post war years, painting and creating very popular editions of prints which he numbered and hand signed, and oil paintings as well. This work measures 8 3/4" by 10 1/2" (14 1/2" by 16" in appropriate mid century frame). Condition is excellent. Probably dates to late 1950's or early 1960's...

Old Russian painting of a night winter landscape with figures, oil on canvas, 12 1/2" by 18" as framed, signed with Cyrillic letters "P O" or "L O" at lower right. To date I have been unable to match the letters to any particular artist (nor could the Christie's Russian art specialist, when she saw it). The painting is extremely soiled and the canvas very uneven (could be described as sunken in, and the ripples "hardened" over time)...

ORIGINAL work, not a print as is commonly seen, 19" by 24" as framed, signed at lower right in white by the noted Croatian or Yugoslavian naive folk painter JOVAN OBICAN (1918-1986). This is a typical painting by the artist, featuring three traditionally dressed male figures, each holding a bird of some kind...

Oil, or gouache mix on paper laid on board painting of "Les Bouquinistes" (booksellers) by the Seine in Paris in the autumn, Notre Dame filling the background, 14 1/2" by 11 1/4" as framed, circa 1950's. The work is signed at lower right with name that looks like "E. Bigot". There is a listed Eugene Bigot but I do not think this the same artist. This is a pleasant work featuring a much-loved and familiar scene. The painting is a bit soiled but you can enjoy it as-is...

Oil on canvas painting of the familiar and oft-painted flower market at the Madeleine in Paris, 25 1/2" by 19 1/2" (31 1/4" by 25 1/2" in attractive above-average distressed look framing), signed at lower left by mid century Parisian artist H. PIERREL. I do not see a listing for the artist but have not searched extensively, although I have encountered other works by this talented hand. The painting is of a nice size and should please any Francophile...

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.

Impressionist oil on wood panel painting of coastal islands and a religious shrine perched on a scenic rise, 13 3/4" by 16 3/4" as framed, signed in Greek at lower right. This work has some age, dating perhaps to mid-century. The surface is a bit soiled and the frame has some wear at top corners as seen. A Greek speaker has seen the signature and advises me it reads "Kaitatze" in English, or similar.

Oil on canvas, 14" by 21" (20" by 27" as framed), the subject a landscape near the sunset of a winter day in the Netherlands. Classic elements of the scene include bare trees, billowing gray clouds, a distant windmill, modest waterside homes, small boats, and a figure with her back turned towards the viewer...

This is an Oil on Canvas depicting a Woman Carrying a Child; there is another Child alongside. Signed LR: ABRIEDA. The size is 7.25" X 9.25". This Work is unframed. From a Delaware Estate date this Painting circa 1900 or first 1/4 of the 20th Century. jpgs tell the rest.

This is a decorative painting of the sweep of the Bay of Naples and its famous Mt. Vesuvius volcano, executed in the classic manner with a few figures scattered in the foreground. A gnarled pine at center provides a dramatic focus point. The painting, 12" by 20" (15" by 23" framed) is old looking but probably dates to the mid 20th century; see staples on the tacking edge, and the reverse of the canvas doesn't look all that old---basically it's a case of looking older than it is...

Signed at lower left "Albert L. Fischer", this is an unframed, sizable oil on canvas (46" by 27"), the scene almost mural-like: an apparently Italian lake (see the gondolier at right), framed by blooming wisteria dripping off a trellis at top and climbing a lattice at bottom, several boats plying the calm lake waters. I don't see a listing for the artist...

Offered in as-is condition, a true restorer special----a framed (18" by 15" oil on canvas, 22 3/4" by 19" as framed) lovely impressionist painting of Notre Dame and trees in Paris, a figure providing a spot of color, signed at lower right and dated there 1912 by listed English artist ROBERT ARTHUR WILSON (1884-1979). On the stretcher is written "Painted by R A Wilson" and "Notre Dame Church in Paris"...

Oil on canvas painting, unsigned, featuring a cluster of green grapes and apples, a woven basket at upper left, 8 1/4" by 11 1/4", 13 1/2" by 16 1/2" in modern day quality reproduction frame, circa 1880's. The canvas stencil on reverse is of Reeves & Sons, 113 Cheapside, London (the well-known art supplies firm moved to that address in 1857 and remained there until 1890). When acquired this work had attached a modern handwritten note with "Lisa Statt Sterling/1800's". I do not see a liste...

Oil on canvas painting of flowers, possibly asters, signed at lower right by 20th century listed English artist Leslie S. G. Harries. There is no date on the painting but a guess of 1950 would likely be close. The work measures 18 1/2" by 15 1/4" (21 1/2" by 18" framed). Condition is excellent with just a very small uneven/pressure mark area in the canvas to the right of the petal at right, and there are a few pinpoint losses in that area. The artist, known to have been active in the 1930's...

Oil on canvas painting, 25" by 34 1/2", unframed, unsigned, after the French impressionist masters Renoir and Monet, who often painted on the Mediterranean in the late 19th century. This is a contemporary work by an anonymous artist. Colors are beautifully handled, as is the golden light. There is a 2" long generally horizontal small tear in the blue of the sea at left center, easily patched by a professional restorer, though (and I generally don't recommend it) it could be pretty much hidden...

A very appealing small forest interior painting on board, 9" by 11" (12" by 14" in modern day gold framing), unsigned on front but on reverse in old hand is written (difficult to decipher) "near XXX farm Hampstead Heath/Oct. 3 1908 5 PM/P. P. (XXXX)". The word after P.P. is the last name of the artist but it has defied my efforts to make it out. The scene is painted in luminous tan colors with light grayish green and cream here and there, all in a very impressionistic blond to silvery light. ...

Oil on canvas board, 14 1/2" by 19 1/2", unframed, signed at lower left in Russian "O. Menailova ", and with a typed label on the reverse that reads "Menailova Bamskaya/study -- oil--/1996 year". There's also a violet colored rubber stamp on the back in Russian that is hard to decipher (probably an export stamp). The work's balanced and harmonious, subtle coloring, consisting of a lot of greenish grays and whites and highlighted tastefully with a few rich blues and pinks, makes for an elegant ...

An interesting abstract painting dating to about 1960, created by a German artist, Max Hansen (1898-). The work, oil and perhaps another substance mixed in, applied on canvas laid on panel, measures 25" by 13 1/2" and 30 1/2" by 19 1/2" in the original gray framing. This was acquired from a local family of German heritage, who stated that it was brought to Southern California from Germany more than 50 years ago. Family stated that the artist was "Uncle Max"----Max Hansen, born in 1898. The p...

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. The artist's talents have been specially recognized by the Moulin Rouge n...

An oil on board painting, (19" by 16", and 27" by 23" framed), of a French landscape, by the French mid century impressionist artist ROGER ETIENNE (1922-2011). The painting is signed at lower left by the artist and dated there 1975, and at lower right he wrote a dedication to previous owners "Pour Balli & John". The scene, an avenue leading into a small town or village, is at once impressionist and also Expressionist, with strong brush strokes especially in sky, and some points of bright color. ...

Oil on canvas, 13" by 16" (17" by 20" as framed), the subject a glass compote filled with purple plums, the base surrounded by clusters of white and red currants, signed at lower left with a signature that appears to be "Bielard", "Bichard", or "Beclard" or possibly "Bulard". I don't see a listing for any such name but the artist was talented. I'd guess the age as circa 1920 to 1930's or so, judging from the technique, materials etc. The painting is in good condition, with just a pinpoint los...

Oil on board, 13" by 17", unsigned, the subject a group of European-looking (French, I'd guess) buildings that appear as if they would belong in a country winery scene, with an early spring impressionistic landscape surrounding them. The conical tops remind me of structures I have seen in California wine country, or, in French chateau country. This one is difficult to describe adequately. I would imagine judging from the quality that it is the work of a listed artist, but I could not venture ...

An unstretched oil on canvas of a rocky forested coast, presumably in Finland, signed at lower right and dated there 1936 by listed Finnish artist TOIVE JYRINKI (1895-1988). The canvas measures 13 1/4" by 18 3/4". There does not appear to be a lot of information on the talented artist. The scene is reminiscent of much 19th century American art such as paintings of the rocky coast of Maine. Condition is vintage good, needs to be mounted and framed.

Oil on board painting of a Mediterranean-looking coastline, 6 1/2" by 10 1/4" (11 3/4" by 16" framed), unsigned, the luminous sunshine handled with considerable skill. This needs only a signature to propel it to stardom; it's really a shame that the artist did not affix his or her name. I suppose this could be Southern California but the buildings don't match up with any coastal locale that comes to mind. I believe the work could date to the 1920's or 1930's. Condition is very good save for ...

Oil on canvas, 21" by 15 3/4" (24" by 19 1/2" as framed), unsigned, the subject an Austrian, Swiss, or German village in deep snow on a brilliant sunny day. The sharp peak in the background center could be the Matterhorn, in which case we could assume the subject is Zermatt, Switzerland. I'd guess the age of the work as circa 1950's. On the stretcher someone has written "AUSTRIA (TIROL) cca 1950". Condition is good with just light rippling at upper left where the canvas wraps around or is in...

Large horizontal format painting of Paris street scene with the classic buildings, kiosk, book stalls, and circa 1960 automobiles, signed at lower right illegibly (and there are some initials on the tacking edge as well as something written on the back of the canvas). The unframed work measures 24" by 48". It could certainly benefit from a cleaning to remove fifty years of accumulated light soiling (removing in the process the yellowish cast) but you would not have to do so to enjoy the scene'...

Charming small round painting in the original gold wood frame, 9 1/2" diameter as framed, the subject given on the reverse of the board in the artist's own handwriting: "Heilige Nacht in Villingen" ("Holy Night in Villingen"), also, "N. gem. v. Albert Sager" ("painted/executed by Albert Sager") signed there including the artist's most unusual monogram which includes the date of execution, 1922. That monogram is also incised carefully in the wet paint on the front side at right. The artist, Al...

Oil on canvas painting of a small structure surrounded by a beautiful autumnal forest, 16" by 31 1/2" (21" by 36 1/2" as framed), signed at lower right "C. Jonnevelt" (or Sonnevelt), suggestive of a Scandinavian, Dutch or Belgian artist. The painting, in the tradition of earlier works, was probably executed by a Northern European artist circa 1960 to 1970. Note the skilled handling of the reflections at left. The work has a few condition issues, as shown---a bit loose on the stretchers, a pre...

Oil on canvas, 27" by 39" (32 1/2" by 44 1/2" as framed), the scene a deep blue lake with small boats and a dock, puffy clouds filling the sky on a peaceful summer day. It is an expansive scene, large enough to invite the viewer to feel he is a part of it. I suppose the work is Swedish or Danish. The artist chose to sign with just the conjoined initials "HM" at lower left, where it is also dated 1948. Condition: because of evident past moisture exposure, there is flaking of the paint at rig...

Original watercolor/gouache on paper by Hans Kleiss (1901-1973) depicting a veiled woman from Morocco, circa 1940-1950. In beautiful condition. Signed l.l. 16cm by 13cm. Hans Kleiss was an Orientalist/ Africanist painter, illustrator, and caricaturist. He was the husband of Orientalist painter Yvonne Kleiss-Herzig. They both lived for long periods in North Africa (Morocco and Algeria). They settled together in Sidi Slimane (Morocco) in the early fifties before returning to France. One o...

Oil on wood panel landscape in the Netherlands, 13" by 10" (22" by 19" in old, likely original frame), signed at lower left corner by the listed American artist and illustrator EDWIN H. KIEFER (1860-1931). This antique painting features a classic windmill, and a woman classically dressed, carrying a basket, in the left foreground. The late 19th century work is very dirty; a cleaning would work wonders. There is a long vertical crack in the panel at upper left as shown. Kiefer was born in Por...

A mid century oil on canvas painting by the hand of a listed French artist who lived for 102 years, RAYMOND PERREAU (1874-1976). The work is handled in an impressionist manner but also possesses a mid century, contemporary air. It measures 32" by 16", 39" by 23" in black wood frame with liner, and the artist signed at lower right where he dated it 1961. Upon close examination one can see how the paint is meticulously worked; the artist used a lot of colorful underpaint which he selectively al...

Oil on canvas, 25 1/2" by 18" (32 1/2 by 24 1/2" as framed), apparently unsigned, circa 1930 to 1950, and very probably European (French or perhaps Scandinavian, judging from the stretcher). The painting is something of a mystery, the mysterious hand and spectacles at lower left coming from outside the image area. Almost certainly this was created by a listed artist but without a signature I cannot go further on that front. On the reverse stretcher appear the words "Vendredi" (Friday, in Frenc...

Original gouache painting by Hans Kleiss (France, 1901-1973), mid-century. 14" by 11", currently unframed. Portrait of a Moroccan Berber. Signed by the artist l.r. and in excellent condition. One of a number of works by this well-listed artist currently available.

Oil on canvas,unframed, 18" by 22", signed at lower right by listed French- Italian modern and contemporary artist NINO GIUFFRIDA (1924-), the subject a pair of harlequins, one dressed in blue, the other in red, in a dreamy landscape with houses, trees, and a small beach on the sea, a point of land and trees on the far horizon. Giuffrida painted a wide range of subject matter, often in a distinctive whimsical style; these subjects include portraits (in the 1950's he painted the likes of Gina Lo...