Should i buy this antique painting? Is it Middle East or Africa?

This pictures is for sale in our local charity for weeks. Last week i almost bought it but didnt. Today I almost bought it again, but decided to take pictures first and show them to by partner.

But the more I look the more interesting it gets. Can somebody maybe tell where this was painted? I see palmtrees and a camel. From the clothing I guess it's shows a scene from an Islamic country. Also a building what looks like a mosque, but trough the doors you can see a cross, the four men are also wearing necklaces with a cross. Is it maybe Israel area?

Also what i want to know. Does it tell a story?

Don't know who the artist is because I can't read the signature, Can someone maybe help.

Thank you

 

It doesn't knock my socks off, but art is an individual choice and if you like it you should have it!

 

Buy what you like!

 

I'm with the others, if you like it and you feel the price is right, go right ahead.

 

It's a work of Orientalism. Signature appears to be "Z. Michbach" but doesn't appear to be the work of a fully-trained artist.

Debora

 

I second Debora. This is not a painting you would buy for artistic merit. It looks pretty 'hobby painter' to me.

 

Z. Miebach to my eye.

 

Think you're right re Z. Miebach.

Debora

 

I know the feeling, but I usually do best when I trust my first instincts

 

I also think the signature is Z Miebach. How big is it? It looks like a small thing. Is it painted on the wooden board, or is that just the backing? If it is a small painting on board, it might have been made by a tourist/amateur artist while travelling in the Middle East. It seems to depict a specific building - maybe a shrine along the Jordan river (if that is a river in the background).

 

It could well have been copied from an engraving. Armchair painting.

Debora

 

pass

 

Thx all. I will stay away of it. I also thought that it was done by a hobby painter. I'm still trying to figure out what art sells and which doesn't. Its so difficult. Guess many here had some ugly artworks which they offered for sale in auction and were shocked what the results were. Was hoping that these was one of them. Clearly not

 

@chantaljones ,looks like it has some age, I would buy it if the price was right ...looks like it is Christian / Ethiopian by the cross in the church and the camels ..... that's my guess.... I think it's kind of neat !

 

Yesterday I was back in this shop, and guess what. The painting was still hanging there. I offered them a cheeky £10 and they agreed!

 

Congratulations, Chantal. I said if the price is right, buy it, and I call that the right price.

 

Congrats! Good price for sure! Enjoy!