Thoughts on Artist Name?

Bought this from an antique market a few years ago. I've never been able to narrow down the artist, which might be because I'm not getting the right name. I'd love to be able to get the artist's story, but will love it nonetheless. I appreciate any help you can give!

I see Bergel. Thoughts?

 

Bergel

 

Or possibly Bernel? or Berger?

 

I see mountains and trees and clouds and a stream....so I'll say it's factory art and the chance of finding the artist......... is slim...at best..

 

Would/could you post a photograph of the back please along with close-up photographs of any labels, stickers or handwritten notations? And tell us... What part of the world did you find it in and what were you told about it?

Debora

 

r u thinking there's more to it .... or just dotting I's and crossing T's ?

 

I mean, the sig is pretty weak...and the front of the frame is hardly worth discussing..... imo..!

 

I also see Bergel. Probably a surname, but there is an area of Germany with that name too.

 

How about Burgel?

 

Hi Easybake.Could you please tell us where you acquired the painting ( America or Europe or elsewhere) as it might make it easier to try to find the artist.I also read Bergel as artist name ,but is a common surname in Europe and in America..

 

@Antiquefab and @Debora,

The painting was acquired at an antique market in Italy. I was unable to get any information because the owner didn't speak English, and I don't speak Italian. The back has a few things written on it, but I don't know how useful the information will be. I did have one photo that was too big to upload. It's of the writing on the center of the back. It says "1516," but there's no way it means the year, so not sure if there's value added anyway.

The next photo is turned 180 for readability. In Italian day/month/year it could mean 19 December 1939? I doubt it would be older than that.


Another marking that I don't think means anything...MB77F?



And an old tag that has since faded off. I'm sure it contained the information I want!

 

I'd love to see the edges to see the condition of the tacks or possibly staples. The frame looks newer than the piece and it's possible the painting has been re-lined and re-stretched. The screw-eyes are certainly very new. The label looks like it may be antique but would need some more research.

 

y'see....the crud built up on the front of the frame combined with the current photo's of the rear , now lead me to question my earlier post as to factory art..!

not this it helps find the artist, or increases the value of the work , but that knowing more about work , allows for a better understanding of what it could be..

 

I'm doubtful that's a decorative painting. I can see how one might think so from the quick brushwork and heavy impasto but the use of atmospheric perspective is quite subtle.

Debora

 

Yeah the subtlety is the thing. Similar theme as factory art, but the brush strokes are different, the abstraction of certain areas are older in style, and that signature is definitely an older style.

Forgot to mention earlier, but might help others: You can tell the piece has been reframed (besides the frame being a newer style than the art) because you can see the grooves in the stretcher bars from where the old nails held it into another frame.

 

Picture of the tacks.

 

Doesn't look relined from this angle, but interesting to see what appears to be... pen marking the boundary edge? Could be pencil but doesn't look as textured as I'd expect pencil to be.