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 on board, of grapes and an apple on the ground, 11 7/8" by 9 3/4" and a simple narrow frame, unsigned, but very likely by noted mid 19th century American artist JOHN S. BOWER, known today primarily for his very distinctive studies of fruit in a landscape. See my shop for several other works by this artist, some of which are signed. A number of works by him have passed through the Skinner auction house in Boston over the years, placed in Americana and folk art sales...

A pastel on paper drawing of an urban alleyway with whitewashed structure and tiled roof, possibly in Mexico or other Latin country, signed at lower right by American artist "Dave M....", or similar. The work measures 14 1/2" by 10 3/4" inside the mat and 21" by 16" as framed. The artist has taken an everyday kind of scene and transformed it into a work of art. The art is in excellent condition as are the frame and mat.

Pastel drawing on thin brown paper of tenement building in NYC, depicting an amorous couple inside the front door, two faces looking out upstairs, in WPA style, very folky and charming by Helen Malta. Measures 17 1/4" high and 11 1/2" wide. Signed at bottom right. Condition shows losses to edges and 1" tear at upper left side, the paper is very soft and fragile. Should be handled carefully before matting and framing...

A very skillfully drawn pastel on paper rendering of the famous and iconic Taos Pueblo in northern New Mexico signed at lower left by artist "C Hanson". The unframed work is housed presently simply matted. Measurements of the sheet are 16" by 19". I have researched the name online and have not located an artist name that might correspond. Nevertheless the work is excellent, the Pueblo sort of fractured into a Cubist image, with diagonal lines and a flat picture plane...

Pastel on paper laid on board, 15 1/2" by 19 1/2" (19" by 23 1/2" as simply framed---no glass), signed at lower right by noted American pastel artist ANDREW GUNDERSON (1888-1964). This is a rather typical example by the artist, who is grouped today with such pastellists as William Chandler and Glatthaar...

Pastel Painting on Paper in Frame, 22 1/2" x 16" (frame size), 17 1/2" x 10 1/2"(Painting size), snow capped high mountain and some Castle ruins in the background, beautiful Castle complex can be excessed from the land, and sailing boat in the lake, such beautiful peaceful surroundings. Frame and mat is around 1970's, the painting is older, no damages for the painting and frame. Belongs to private collection in DC area.

A vintage pastel drawing of wood and thatch traditional homes on stilts in a shallow estuary at sunset, 11 3/4" by 17 3/4" (18 1/2" by 24" framed), signed at lower left "Lohmann" and dated there 1939. On the reverse is an old framer's label from Manila, the Philippines, and written in handwriting on the backing is "Zamboanga, P.I.". I believe Zamboanga is in Mindanao Island in the southern part of the country...

Pastel or oil pastel on velvet landscape of the Philippines, the sun setting dramatically over a distant peak, a traditional thatched house at right, signed at lower left "Igning Sarmiento Manila 68". There is a known Sarmiento artist in the Philippines but I am not sure that this is by that artist. The size is 17 1/2" by 24" on the stretchers and 20" by 26" framed. The handling of the color in the sky as the sun disappears and night comes on is exquisite...

Nicely executed impressionist pastel drawing of coastal rocks and surf, 9" by 12" (14 1/2" by 17 1/2" framed), unsigned. This came from a collection of Northern California art, including pastel drawings by Carl Sammons, so I would at least entertain the possibility that he could have been the artist, but alas, this is truly unsigned. The work is on paper laid on a board. Condition is excellent with just a little contact with the old style non-glare glass, which should be replaced...

Pastel on paper painting of an outdoorsman cooking his dinner over an open fire alongside a creek or lake, the setting sun reflected on the waters where his boat is tied up, the work measuring 17 1/2 " by 25" (23 1/2" by 28" in its vintage circa 1920's frame). Signed at lower right "Gillette", this is by an American artist who was a member of the early century pastel school, now best known for works by William Henry Chandler, Glatthaar, Gunderson, and others...

For the Judaica or Jewish art collector, a SET OF THREE original pastel on paper drawings, all signed in Hebrew and dated 1987 or 1989, all 13 1/4" by 9" (18 3/4" by 13 1/2" as framed), the subjects various ancient buildings in, I would imagine, Jerusalem or another historical city of Israel. I am unable to read Hebrew but a friend thought the signature was "M. Schnase" or something like that...

Pastel on paper, unframed, 14 1/2" by 12 1/4", signed at lower right with the initials "DP". This is a drawing of the distinctive 10,000+ ft. mountain of the Cascades Range in Washington state, Mt. Baker. The artist was obviously skilled in the use of pastel, but I am not able to say who the artist might have been. I thought it could possibly be Dewitt Parshall, California artist, but don't know if he worked in the Northwest...

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.

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. Condition is excellent; needs to be re-mounted as...

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. The drawing was purchased in Newport, Rhode Island, the seller telling me it came out of an estate there, where it was suggested to him that the artist was Rhode Island impressionist artist Helena Sturtevant (1872-1946), but it is unlikely that that could be...

Geoffrey Lamont Holder (August 1, 1930 – October 5, 2014) was a Trinidadian-American actor, dancer, musician, and artist.[1][2] He was a principal dancer for the Metropolitan Opera Ballet before his film career began in 1957 with an appearance in Carib Gold. In 1973, he played the villainous Baron Samedi in the Bond film Live and Let Die. He also carried out advertising work as the pitchman for 7 Up

Pastel and charcoal on gray paper, 17 1/2" by 11 1/2" (20" by 14" in wood frame), signed at lower right with conjoined initials "VG", which corresponds to the name of the artist Vinnie Gjere. I was able to figure out the authorship due to there being a companion piece on my site, also a still life and purchased at the same time as this one; that piece is not signed on the front but on the reverse in pencil is "Vinnie Gjere". The artist's biography, from the net: "Contributor S Heming...