Thoughts on 2 older, unusual paintings by Italian? artist

I found these today at a local thrift store - I know I have to take a better photograph of handwriting on back of 2nd one, but does it look like italian writing?

Not sure why I like these (almost thought they were paint by numbers - not from quality but the look/colors...something - until I looked at back & saw they are painted on board.

Also couldn't find the artist A. Thony although there are a couple of other Thony's - I guess that stamp with his name & studio/gallery? on the back made me think he'd be known at least somewhat?

Any thoughts on these would be appreciated.

 

Merano is in Italy, in the South Tyrol to be exact. That's likely Lake Carezza in the first painting.

Debora

 

There are a number of wayside shrines. This may be yours.

Debora

 

The stamp is the artist's name, the words "Artistic Painter," the name of the town and the artist's street address. Can't read the handwriting language on the back. A better quality photograph might help.

Debora

 

I'll get one. Thanks Debora
Thoughts on paintings?

 

A local artist of souvenir paintings, I'd think. Merano is a spa resort.

Debora

 

Not great journey

I would always stay away from barren landscapes like this as a rule of thumb(barren referring to no strong focal points)

Especially in paintings like this with a forest setting(if you know what I mean)

 

They're certainly high drama. What size are they?

Debora

 

The third close up pic looks pretty cool

Perhaps the others pictures aren't sharp enough

They just seem a bit empty to me

 

Yes, exuberant brush work.

Debora

 

They are 18 x 13 w/frame

 

It doesn't have the side planks, but there are probably hundreds in the Merano area, and thousands in the wider Dolomite region. They are put up for travellers to pray for a safe journey, but also in places where people died because of an accident.
It is a general thing in Catholic regions, but even more so in perilous regions like the Dolomites.

Here in the southern Netherlands we often have them at crossroads. We also have Madonna shrines and small chapels by the side of the road or at crossroads. Nowadays many Madonnas are behind a fence, to avoid them being stolen and sold on the international market.

 

Beautiful

 

So they'd easily fit into luggage.

Debora