Featured Oil Portrait with bird? signature

And the place the souvenir was painted!

 

Okay it seems to be by artist Charles Lechat. The signature matches.

 

Here are some more of his works and signatures. You guys were right about him also doing illustrations!

 

That is fabulous information. And explains the knit cap.

Debora

 

Duh. The artist's name was in front of us the whole time. The cat = Le chat in French.

Debora

 

Haha I never would have gotten that!

 

So what as James Patterson doing in Casablanca in 1952?

Debora

 

Aaaaah I'm so happy! Literally doing a happy dance. I KNEW he was an illustrator! That piece was definitely done by a professional, but not in a "fine art" style. I literally looked through illustrator lists for leads. I've also been searching "Cat" in artist's names like short for Catherine, or some sort of Cat in a surname. So incredibly pleased that my instincts were right thanks to the poster who caught the cat image.

It's really a lovely, vibrant portrait. Please hang it again. (Or send it to me! )

 

One of his better works. And one that has a bit of value. Portraiture in oil doesn't appear to be his forte.

https://catalogue.swanngalleries.co...C-DE-LA-WAR?saleno=2399&lotNo=47&refNo=710979

Debora

 

From the internet: "By 1952 Europeans comprised around one-fifth of Casablanca’s population (133,000)..."

Debora

 

I didn't see that one! Thanks!!

 

Thanks all so much for your help with researching this piece! I never would have thought to look behind the paper, because I've never picked up a painting with any information on the back. I will be listing it, and I know that the provenance on the back will be something a buyer will want to know about. Appreciate you all as always!

 

Since Casablanca is an important port city, James Patterson could have been a sailor. He certainly looks it.