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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

An original poster issued circa 1970 by Marlborough Galleria, Rome, for an exhibition of the works of the late, noted American contemporary sculptress and painter BEVERLY PEPPER (1922-2020). The print is in elegant shades of brown graduating from lighter to darker as the eye looks down, with geometric shapes incorporated within, the entire print framed elegantly in what I believe to be rosewood. The piece measures 40" by 27" as framed behind Plexi. Color is rich and not faded...

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.

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...

A PAIR of Mid Century drawings, consisting of concentric line patterns and overlapping forms, typical of the imagery, whether in sculpture, drawing/painting or graphics, of acclaimed Spanish modern artist AMADEO GABINO (1922-2004). Each is drawn in brown ink and measures 12 3/4" by 15 1/2" (13 3/4" by 17" in black shadowbox type framing over an inch deep). Some of the darker lines are interestingly also scored into the paper, like deep cuts...

By the noted American photographer ROBERT "Bob" WERLING (1946-), this is an original gelatin silver print photograph, titled "Thunderstorm", pencil signed at lower right margin by the artist photographer. The scene is of the high country in the American West, perhaps Colorado. Werling was born in San Francisco and very early in life showed artistic promise and drive...

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)...

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...

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, ...

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...

This 6 1/4" by 10" ink drawing on paper (11 1/2" by 13 3/4" as framed) is titled at lower left "Garden of Sounds" and is signed at lower right "STANDISH" and dated "52" I believe. It's a subtle work that does not take well to being photographed, (and I've had to enhance--darken--the photos a bit to make it easier to appreciate on a screen) but, viewed in person, it is quite an impressive and delicate work that reminds one somewhat of some of the drawings by Paul Klee. There are incredibly comp...

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...

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. This oil could use a light cleaning to bring it to optimum condition. See another painti...

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 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. Information is scant but he appears to have been in Canada at least by 1950 and ...

An original panoramic photograph of San Francisco, circa 1950, the view appearing to be south and west from the Coit Tower at the top of Telegraph Hill. The photo is laid to a card. Measurements are 9 1/2" by 7" inside the existing mat and 16" by 13" in blond wood strip frame. The photo has come loose inside the frame. You might take the opportunity to re-frame with acid-free materials. An old Kearny Street, San Francisco framer's label remains on the backing. The brownish tint of the late...

A rare, finely crafted woodblock print in the Arts and Crafts style of the early 20th century, titled at lower left "Marigold", by German artist ILSE KOCH-AMBERG (1869-1934), measuring 6 1/2" by 6 1/2" in side the mat and 12 1/2" by 12" framed. The work features her monogram in the image, and is signed in pencil by the artist at lower right; in addition, the paper features a blind stamp including the word "Berlin" at lower left margin. The prints reminds greatly of the work of artist Gustave B...

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. Condition is good, with the...

An etching on paper, 7 1/4" by 5 1/4" inside the mat, 12 1/2" by 9 3/4" framed, signed at lower right in pencil by well-known New Orleans artist EUGENE F. LOVING (1908-1971). The print is titled at lower left, "Bourbon Street Patio", and bears the artist's notation "Ed/100" at lower center. Loving was a familiar figure on the New Orleans art scene for decades, painting and executing prints as well. A teacher as well, he was something of a father figure of sorts to other artists in the region. Th...

Titled at lower left "Seven Sisters", numbered lower center 54/180, and signed at lower right by the artist, this is a serigraph print consisting of a commonly seen motif of the Pacific Northwest Coast art, a stylized orca killer whale, surrounded by also stylized human faces. The artist is HEBER REECE (1955-) of the Tsimshian peoples of northern British Columbia, Canada. Reece was born near Bella Bella, B.C. For more than 30 years, he has been noted as a carver of masks, totem poles, and oth...

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. Tack was a noted artist who work...

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. For a short time thereafter he lived in Moscow, then in Tomsk...

A pencil drawing on paper, 5 1/4" by 7 3/4", (12 1/2" by 15" in modern frame), featuring studies of humped cattle lying down near an early wagon, unsigned, by the noted London-born artist GEORGE CHINNERY (1774-1852). Chinnery is known as the only western painter who was a resident of South Asia from the early to the mid 19th century, and a leading artist of the British community in India. After Royal Academy training he took at ship to Madras (Chennai) in 1802. Chinnery sketched actively, rec...

A rare opportunity to own something once handled by one of America's most famous artists, THOMAS MORAN (1837-1926). Some years ago, one of his oils brought over $17 million at auction. His paintings of the American West and Long Island are highly sought after and he is considered an iconic American artist. Much more affordable yet relatively scarce are his handful of etching images, and chromolithographs after his work. This is the print "A Tower of Cortes" (sometimes spelled "Cortez") of th...

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. I see...

Original etching on paper, pencil signed at lower right margin, titled on mat "Portuguese Fishermen", the subject the wharf at Provincetown, Massachusetts where the artist spent considerable time in the famous art colony. The work measures 3 3/4" by 5 1/4" inside the mat and 8" by 8 3/4" framed. This is by the noted American artist MORGAN DENNIS (1892-1960). Born in Boston, Dennis spent much of his life in Massachusetts, though he did live elsewhere including Key West, Florida. He became known...

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 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. In the early 1950's the artist worked for th...

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. The following was tak...

A naïve Americana print, "Bears Bears Bears", numbered 1348/1375, signed at lower right by noted highly collected American 20th century folk art artist JANE WOOSTER SCOTT (1920-). Jane Wooster Scott grew up in eastern Pennsylvania and was exposed as a youngster to the vivid Americana atmosphere that remained in the region into the 1940's. She moved west to hopefully become a movie star but ended up remaining in Los Angeles, though she returned to the east for inspiration. Scott originally copi...

PAIR of pochoir (airbrush over stencil) prints, one titled "IRIS I", the other "IRIS II", the first numbered 123/250 and measuring 28 1/2" by 20" (36" by 27" framed), the other numbered 161/250 and measuring 30 3/4" by 22 1/2 in thin wood frame (no mat), both signed in pencil and dated at lower right 1980. These are works by the popular California-born Photo-Realist artist BRIAN DAVIS (1946-). Davis grew up in the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles and has lived in Reno, Nevada. In the early ...