Unnamed oil painting from at least the 50s

Hi there.

We bought this oil painting a while back at a thrift store.

Cannot find a signature. What we first thought was a signature at bottom right of the painting now doesn't really look like it anymore.

There is an inscription at the top of the frame that reads van Mev Mason (From Mrs Mason) 29/12/1951.

It seems one of the stamps was for a gallery, but can't quite figure it out.


I know some basics of art but not nearly enough to be an expert on appraising it. Would you guys rate this as a painting by a couch-painter or more professional? Seeing anything that could indicate who the painter was? I'm guessing it had to be a South African based on the inscriptions...

 

It appears to be a print, 2/ 482. Is it actual paint?

 

Hi Joe,
The label says Pretoria. I have not had my coffee yet but isn"t that in South Africa?
greg

 

definitely paint, can see and feel the ridges

And yip, bought it here in Pretoria (Soith Africa)

 

Hi Snipsa and Joe,
See I told you I had not had my coffee yet. I thought Joe had commented it was South American not South Africa. I am going to crawl back into my cave and rue my comments. Sorry.
greg

 

I mailed E. Schweickerdt gallery to see if they could possibly shine some light on the artist. I'm just afraid that they may have only sold the frame and not the painting itself. But here's to hoping that the records have survived and they sold the painting itself (and will respond to my mai)

 

Unfortunately, sometimes that's the best route. Hopefully they still have records. They should if it's by a known artist, to keep provenance of the piece. Good luck. Hope you hear good news.

 

Morning, Greg. I'm waiting for MY coffee to finish perking. After which I might speak. Possibly. I read America as well -- until I saw that label and the name right out of the Boer War! Then I saw "Pretoria."

Duh...

 

Thanks you guys. Well its 3 in the afternoon this side, I've had way too much coffee and yet I'm still not quite awake so can understand you guys' confusion

As to the painting. I have now found that the Schweickerdt company made lots of reproductions of famous paintings in the 40s to 60s. Won't be surprised if this was one of them. but will await their reply...

 

That's why I mentioned the 2/482. I shouldn't of said print but reproduction. That's also why you probably don't see a sig.

 

Urgh. Was worried they may have been the framers... Got this reply back from them...

Good afternoon Alta

The sticker on the back refers to our company framing the artwork.

Unfortunately I am unable to determine who the artist may be.

Kind regards

Detlev Friemelt

E Schweickerdt (Pty) Ltd

 

Sorry to hear that. As with the quality, my eyes have a hard to with it. To me, my eyes are wandering all over trying to find something "soothing". That's just me. That's the beauty of art, someone might see it differently.

 

Your painting in my opinion looks to be the work of:

Herbert Coetzee (South African, 1921 - 2008).

 

Thanks 'Nuff!

That reference has opened my eyes to a few possibilities. There is, of course, the reference to "Coetzee" as photographed on the back of the painting. The 16 Celliers Street could possibly refer to Celliers Str here in Pretoria which is just around the corner from the art museum.


The 1951 date seems quite early but that was just before Coetzee's first big exhibition in Cape Town (in 1952 according to one of the art history sites I found) And again, a gallery in Cape Town stamped the painting (cant make out the name of the gallery but Cape Town can be made out).

And of course there is the 1962 painting of flowers in a vase which has more than just a few of the same features (I'm including that photo to this post).

Think I'll have to take the painting to the art museum in the New Year and see if someone there can confirm our thoughts....

Although you're not talking Pierneef or Boonzaaier, Coetzee wasn't a slouch either... Would love to have a confirmed painting of his hanging in our home...

 

You are most welcome.

A contemporary of Herbert's was another SA artist by the name of:

'Christo Coetzee (South African, 1929 - 2001)'.

His still life paintings are also done in a similar Impressionistic manner:

http://artsalesindex.artinfo.com/asi/lots/5332818

As you can see from the auction's description, that piece as well is inscribed to a Mr. & Mrs. and bears a Schweickerdt label verso.

It'll be worth the time to research both artist. My gut tells me your piece is by Herbert and not Christo, but I could be wrong. Good luck with it.....whatever the turnout, it's a very nice painting. Congrats!

 

I wonder if this guy -- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._M._Coetzee -- is somehow related to the artist. Name isn't all that common, I would suspect.