Featured Thoughts & advice on buying this 1934 folk art(?) painting w/only partial signature?

Discussion in 'Art' started by journeymagazine, Oct 12, 2023.

  1. journeymagazine

    journeymagazine Well-Known Member

    I have an opportunity to buy this painting but the price is almost $300 and I wanted to check here to get your thoughts and possibly who the artist is? (If anyone can tell me who the artist is by a partial signature it will be someone here!)


    ART PAINTING AUCTION FOLK ART PAINTING 1936 1AA.jpg ART PAINTING AUCTION FOLK ART PAINTING 1936 2AA.jpg
     
  2. Debora

    Debora Well-Known Member

    Oh, I like that. 1930s surrealism. Who's selling it? And what are you being told about it? No photograph of the back available? What do the artist's initials read? Is that damage to the lower left corner? And do you think the frame is original?

    Debora
     
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  3. journeymagazine

    journeymagazine Well-Known Member

    It's an auction - that's all I got. I was just outbid but want to go higher but wanted to check here because my art choices ... have been hit & miss to put it mildly!
     
  4. Debora

    Debora Well-Known Member

    It's desirable to my eye. Likely to go higher.

    Debora
     
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  5. Satin In A Coffin

    Satin In A Coffin Well-Known Member

    I really like it! Probably just a talented amateur or student, but the faces are so pleasing.
     
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  6. journeymagazine

    journeymagazine Well-Known Member

    Found there was a photo of the back - there are 3 hours left to bid, so please any advice (as a investment although I do like it) would be appreciated!

    art painting 2 girls with flowers back of painting aa.jpg
     
    stracci likes this.
  7. Mark London

    Mark London Well-Known Member

    Never buy art as an investment (and I’m an art dealer).
     
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  8. verybrad

    verybrad Well-Known Member

    Late to the party as I am sure this is sold by now. Did you buy it? Personally, I would be hard-pressed to pay $300.00 for a painting by an artist I could not identify,unless I liked it enough for myself.
     
  9. journeymagazine

    journeymagazine Well-Known Member

    No - I let it go because it could just be a nice amateur - thank you all I appreciate the help.
     
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  10. charlie cheswick

    charlie cheswick Well-Known Member

    be interested to know what it sold for ?
    you were right not to buy it if you were looking just to flip it
    think i would have paid around that much to have it, and hang it
    my kind of painting that
     
  11. Debora

    Debora Well-Known Member

    Certainly something I, for one, would be happy to own (and research properly.) Curious to know what it realized.

    Debora
     
  12. Boland

    Boland Well-Known Member

    Just curious. Can you maybe just briefly explain why you say that. Thanks
     
  13. journeymagazine

    journeymagazine Well-Known Member

    It sold for $325 + 25% commission. So a little over $400
     
  14. Satin In A Coffin

    Satin In A Coffin Well-Known Member

    I think you did the right thing. If you had loved it to hang in your home, then you wouldn't have been disappointed to find out it was only worth what you paid. Most art is by unknown individuals and is only worth what price two people are willing to fight it up to on aesthetic grounds alone. That's why it isn't a good investment. Unless it's a known documented artist which is a different story of course.
     
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  15. Mark London

    Mark London Well-Known Member

    You should buy art as an investment in pleasure. If you truly enjoy something then the monetary increase is of little concern. In addition, art is a very illiquid asset and cannot be quickly or easily sold if you need to monetize it.
     
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  16. moreotherstuff

    moreotherstuff Izorizent

    I saw an episode of Fake or Fortune where they were discussing a potential Gainsborough. If it was a Gainsborough, it would be worth £100,000. The two other major options were that it was by a Gainsborough imitator named Thomas Barker (Barker of Bath), or an unidentified artist. If it was by Barker, the value would be £2,000-3000; if by an unknown, maybe £1,000. All for that one specific painting. My take away from that was that you could buy a painting substantially indistinguishable from a Gainsborough for £1,000. And that's pretty much the difference between buying art as an investment vs. buying art you like.

    (The final decision attributed the work to Thomas Barker.)
     
  17. Boland

    Boland Well-Known Member

    Understood.Thanks
     
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  18. reader

    reader Well-Known Member

    I would not have gone to 3 on that pic so think you were smart to pass. I’ve spent a lifetime buying art with investment in mind
    BUT will only buy if I love the piece first so I do disagree with Mark but I understand where he’s coming from and would never advise another to buy art for investment.
     
  19. Mark London

    Mark London Well-Known Member


    But I would assume that you have also spent far more time learning about art than most before buying. Investing in art requires a knowledge of art and the art market rather than simply buying random pieces at thrift shops in the hope that some might be worthwhile.
     
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  20. ola402

    ola402 Well-Known Member

    Do you think it's possible that this piece was once larger? Since the signature seems to be cut off on the side, I'm wondering if it was done on purpose.
     
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