Oil on canvas painting of a man seated in a library, 28" by 22" (34" by 27 3/4" framed), signed on the book cover at lower right and the subject apparently one "Dr. Young", by well listed Russian-born California artist ALEXANDER IGNATIEV (1913-1995). The work is very 1940's/1950's in feeling, almost mural-like. Ignatiev escaped Russia for China during the revolution and was in San Francisco by 1923, where he studied with Gleb Ilyin...

A nicely painted work of Boston-born still life painter CHARLES STORER (1817-1907), the subject red roses, painted on gray art board, measuring 10" by 14" (15 1/2" by 19 1/4" framed). The artist signed at center left edge and dated the painting 1901. This is an excellent example of still life work of the period in New England. Storer was born in Boston, He exhibited at the Boston Art Club and the National Academy. Most existing paintings appear to date to near the end of the artist's life...

For years, I have seen these gouache paintings of cockatoos, in the Art Deco style, circulating around Southern California, but I didn't know the identity of the artist, as there seemed to be no listing. Now, with his death in 2012, there is some information online. This drawing is 23" by 17" (28 1/2" by 22 1/2" framed), signed at lower left center in the image, by former child actor-turned artist BILLY SEAY (1922-2012). He was one of the biographers of Sascha Brastoff...

Oil on canvas painting of a marketplace in a Sumatran landscape, unframed, 15 3/4" by 21 1/2", signed at lower right by Indonesian impressionist artist MUSLIM SALEH (1927-). This signature was difficult to decipher but a little research on the net established the identity of the artist. He was born in West Sumatra and learned from Japanese painters during the World War II occupation years. Subsequently he participated in the Indonesian Revolution...

This is a small California painting on board of the sequoia or redwood forest, 8 1/4" by 11" framed, unsigned, protected behind glass. Condition is excellent. Frame is wood. Though small, the artist captures the majesty of the cathedral-like groves for which the state is famous.

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 unstretched canvas painting of a traditional temple's courtyard, signed at lower left "Pociecha", "Nikko", and dated 1920. This is a rare, very early work by a painter known commonly as STAN PORAY (Stanislaus Pociecha Poray, 1888-1948), and most associated with California art. The work measures 15 1/2" by 12 1/4". Poray was born into nobility (his father a count) in Krakow, Poland and was educated in art there and in Paris...

By the hand of renowned American painter AUGUSTUS VINCENT TACK (1870-1949), this is a beautifully worked portrait of a dark-eyed young woman wearing a lovely blue-white lacy dress, nervously fingering her pearls. The work is signed on the reverse and dated there 1904. Measurements are 24" by 18" (28" by 22" in what is likely the original frame). The painterly impressionist work in the dress area is masterful, as is the obviously skilled depiction of her hand...

Watercolor on paper, unsigned, 15 1/2" by 11 3/4" and a 1/2" wide narrow modern frame, no glass, probably dating to circa 1950, the subject a fluted column 19th century style American framed mirror with flowers in a vase placed before it. This is a simple composition but the anonymous artist was obviously skilled in the use of watercolor and also had a sense of composition. There is a modernist touch, in the way the flowers are stuffed into the foreshortened space...

An impressionistic palette knife painting of dramatic, high, already snow-streaked mountains in peak autumn season, signed in the paint at lower left "W HARISCH". This 14 1/2" by 19 1/2" work (18" by 23" as framed) is by listed Canadian artist WILLIAM HARISCH (1914-1967). Harisch painted in a style that appears clearly European, and indeed works of his native country (one titled "Heidelberg") have come to market...

Small oil on canvas laid on board painting of a desert, mid to late 20th century, 4 1/2" by 6 1/2" (11 1/2" by 10" framed), signed at lower right by California desert painter KENNETH WALFORD. This is a rather typical example of the work of this artist. I have handled a number of Walford's works. Most feature desert landscapes. Biographical information on the artist seems to be scarce at this time. The painting is lightly soiled, linen liner is stained at upper right.

An attractive plein air oil on canvas painting of the desert in spring with blooming pink verbena on the dunes, 13" by 15", unframed, signed at lower left by listed California artist GRACE T. HOWELL (1876-1966). Howell was born in Denver and showed early art talent. Married in 1897, she moved to Southern California in 1927, living in La Mesa, near San Diego. She painted the California deserts and coast...

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. This piece, found in Maine, has su...

Oil on canvas painting of a small house in the trees, 20" by 24" plus narrow strip wood frame, signed at lower right "Stahl" and dated there "42", titled on reverse "Laurel Ave." and signed and dated again there. This is an early work (**ONE OF TWO IN MY SHOP, THE OTHER VERY SIMILAR, JUST A BIT LARGER; I would like to keep them together because they make a most interesting pair), by the important, well-listed American illustrator artist and art educator BENJAMIN A. STAHL (1910-1987). Stahl was C...

A gouache on paper painting of a vase with white flowers, blue on white plates, green bowl with cherries, a decorative leaded window beyond, the work signed at lower right corner with what appears as "Louise Brentnall" and dated there 44 (or, I think less likely, 77). The piece measures 9 1/4" by 7" (12 3/4" by 10 3/4" in simple strip frame). I do not see an artist by this name, if I am reading the name correctly. I thought it might read "Louise Brumback", but that artist died in 1929. So, ...

An exceptional watercolor and gouache painting of a young girl carrying a pail, pondering the white ducks which move towards her on a tiny pond in a verdant bucolic rural landscape, a faint local church steeple in the distance the only other sign of man. This is one of the finer works by English listed artist FRED (sometimes FREDERICK) HINES (1860-1930). Hines specialized in rural scenes with figures; forests, lakes and ponds, and cottages populate his rural 19th century idyllic world, now lar...

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). The painting, which likely dates from circa the 1930's to about 1950, measures 25 1/2" by 32" ...

Large watercolor painting of trees after the leaves have turned in the fall, signed at lower left by the well listed California artist PAUL LAURITZ (1889-1975). The scene is a celebration of autumnal forests. The work measures 19 1/2" by 27 1/2" and 32 3/4" by 40" as very nicely framed. Lauritz is considered one of the important plein air painters, a number of works having exceeded $25,000 at auction. Born in Norway in an area favored by artists, he was exposed to art at an early age, and in fac...

From a local estate, the homeowners having spent much time in Southeast Asia, an oil on panel unframed and unsigned painting of a younger man wearing some traditional simple clothing. The piece measures 26 3/4" by 23 3/4" and dates to the late 20th century. It is competently painted, the figure tightly outlined, the colors muted gray and tan and white, his waistband area providing a spare touch of bright color.

Watercolor on paper, 8" by 11 1/4" (12" by 15 1/2" framed), the scene a shallow, reedy small river and its grassy banks, a few majestic trees completing the peaceful scene. The artist signed his name "E. Starker" at lower left in pencil. Starker was a painter in Stuttgart and Leonberg. He studied at the Akademy Stuttgart with Kappis and Grünenwald and in Karlsruhe with Schönleber. The artist painted in oil, pastel and watercolor in the Stuttgart area of southern Germany, as well as other lo...

A genuinely antique, late 19th century oil on canvas scene of distant snowy sunlit mountains and closer mountains surrounding an inlet or fjord, several small figures at center, wood-frame structures at left, and long wood canoes in the foreground shore. The work measures 20 1/2" by 30 1/2" (27 1/2" by 37" as framed). I have carefully searched canvas, stretcher and frame for any evidence of a name, or other information, and have come up empty. Certainly the work is suggestive of Alaska or No...

A watercolor painting of outbuildings and scrubby trees, 10" by 15 3/4" (20" by 25" framed), titled at lower right "Near Filkins/March 1934" and signed at lower left by listed English artist ANTHONY LOUSADA. There appears to be little information on the artist, though some works have sold at auction in England. Some of his paintings seem to show a distinct modernist approach. The watercolor is in good condition, there is a hand-drawn style mat, and there seems to have been in the past some co...

An impressionistic landscape of the arid American Southwest, possibly California, 20" by 30" (24" by 34" framed), signed at lower right by noted listed artist CHARLES DAMROW (1916-1989). The work features rugged mountains with no figures included. Damrow was born in Sheboygan, Wisconsin and headed west at age 13 on his own (the youngest of 15 children). He became infatuated with everything western, in the course of his life painting cowboys, Indians, tipis, bison, bears, horses. Self-taught,...

By the hand of noted Southwestern artist MANUEL S. FRANCO, a large, detailed work, consisting of two separate paintings framed as one: the principal painting of the iconic Taos Pueblo in northern New Mexico, and the smaller work at right a black ware traditional pot. The pueblo image measures 13 3/4" by 26 3/4", the pottery 3 3/8" on a side (27 3/4" by 42 1/2" in a pinkish frame). Franco signed both and dated them 1990. Note the extreme detail, including tiny figures around a smoking kiva ov...

A small landscape painting on canvas, (actually a very nice size for a small wall, 12" by 16", and 15" by 19" framed), signed at lower right by listed artist ANTON GUTKNECHT (1907-1988). We see a dirt road winding around the edge of a wooded area, a European village and small church seen in the far distance. Gutknecht was born in Dusseldorf and studied art in that German city, as well as Munich and Hamburg. For a time he taught at the Royal Academy in Vienna. At some point the artist moved t...

Oil on canvas laid on board painting of a windswept cypress type tree by the coast dunes, 8 1/2" by 4 1/4" (14 1/2" by 10 1/2" attractively framed). Although unsigned (and Detreville's output frequently WAS unsigned), the handling, subject matter and color palette are strong indicators of the hand of the noted California painter. I have owned and sold other unsigned paintings as being by Detreville, and I will stand by this being one of his works. Detreville was born in South Carolina but is now...

Contemporary watercolor full length portrait of a young woman seated on a sofa, titled "Zoe", 28 3/4" by 18" (36" by 25" as framed), signed at lower center by New York-born artist AL ZERRIES (1940-2009). Zerries studied at Pratt in New York and for more than twenty years was an art director and creative director at Manhattan advertising agencies. He also taught at the School of Visual Arts. It was not until the 1990's that he began to paint and draw on his own, taking lessons from Burton Silve...

Oil on canvas painting of a coastal bluff with gentle incoming waves, possibly Rhode Island near Newport but most certainly New England, 12" by 16" (20" by 24" nicely framed), signed at lower right and dated there (likely, a little hard to read) 1908, by Massachusetts artist of the famous Fall River School, BRYANT CHAPIN (1859-1927). Chapin's still life works of fruit, his specialty, have auctioned into five figures, but he did execute some landscapes and coastal scenes, (some of them of the Is...

EIGHT small original watercolors of famous sights of Venice, Italy, signed but signature not fully legible. The works are identically framed and measure 8" by 10". More than likely, these were painted for the tourist market and brought to the US unframed, in the luggage of a visitor. All are clean. One of the eight, for some reason, has an overmat that is removable. During photography outside, within seconds, condensation beads formed under the glass, with no permanent consequence. Some of ...

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 ...

Oil on canvas painting of California mountains, a line of back lit trees in the middle ground, 18" by 23 1/2" (26 1/2" by 33" in vintage frame), signed at lower right by well listed California and western artist JOE WAANO-GANO (1906-1982). Waano-Gano was of Cherokee heritage. Born in Salt Lake City, he moved to Los Angeles while still young, studying at UCLA and USC with Theodore Lukits and Christian von Schneidau. He was a familiar figure in the Hollywood area for many years, and worked for ...

Oil on board still life of red roses, and a few bumble bees in the composition as well, 24 1/4" by 18 1/2", 31 1/4" by 24 3/4" in likely original old gold frame, signed at lower left "N. Miller" and dated there 1910 or possibly 1916. This was executed in the early 20th century, but takes from a nineteenth century tradition in Victorian times----painting roses. In this case, the artist seems to have been familiar with the widely known artist Paul De Longpre (1855-1911), who painted flowers, oft...

A portrait of Hollywood actress Natalie Wood (1938-1981), painted by an unknown artist, showing the artist as she would have appeared in the 1970's. The image shows a sultry Wood in her prime, staring at the viewer with her famous brown eyes. She is of course known for her roles in the films Miracle on 34th Street, Rebel Without a Cause (1955), West Side Story (1961) and Gypsy (1962), and she received Academy Award Best Actress nominations for her performances in Splendor in the Grass (1961) a...

A naive or self-taught style painting of a colorful hillside neighborhood of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, known as Rocinha, signed at lower right by the artist "Jonathan", and dated there 27/02/04. The unframed 9 1/2"by 6 1/4" work pictures the Rocinha slum neighborhood. The artist has turned a place of notorious grinding poverty, despair and violence into a beautiful little work of art that transmits only happy thoughts. On the reverse, the artist wrote, "Jonathan/20/02/04/ Favela com dois Ismaos...

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...