This is a double-sided drawing of figures by the very well listed American artist RICO (FEDERICO) LEBRUN (1900-1964), measuring 9 1/2" by 7 1/2" (10 3/4" by 8 3/4" in temporary protective framing). The front side shows a figure of a warrior, drawn rapidly in ink; at the bottom in pencil is "to Kate/from Rico--1948". On the reverse are two figures drawn rapidly with pencil, and no writing. On a recent label affixed to the backing is written the phrase "GIFT TO KATHERINE STEEL FROM RICO LEBRUN"...

One of three works in my shop by the same artist, F. KENWOOD GILES (1899/1900-1972), is this watercolor on paper painting, 14" by 19 1/2" inside the mat, 20 1/2" by 26 1/2" as framed, the subject several pink-walled, white-roofed island homes on a bluff overlooking the sea, flowering shrubs and bushes completing the happy scene. The paintings are not dated, but I believe they would have been created in the 1950's. Giles was a versatile English artist who lived in Bermuda from 1950 onward...

Oil on masonite, 18" by 14" (22" by 18" in its wood frame), the subject the familiar streets of the French Quarter, this being a view of Pirate's Alley, from Jackson Square, facing Royal Street, signed at lower right "Weller". I take from the website of the New Orleans Academy of Fine Arts: "Dell Weller studied four years at the Art Students League in New York. After two years of study in Mexico, he returned to New Orleans. He developed a widespread reputation for his wildlife etchings...

Circa 1940's or 1950's oil on canvas, 25" by 30", (33" by 38" as framed), the subject a vase with pink and white flowers, some blue cornflowers at lower left in front of an open oriental fan, the entire scene suffused with a pinkish, mid-century light. The painting is signed at lower right by the Who Was Who in American Art-listed JOSEPH LANE (1900-), an artist and muralist who trained at the Art Institute of Chicago...

Watercolor on paper, 20 1/2" by 27 1/4" inside the mat (26 1/2" by 32 1/2" as framed), signed at lower right "Roy E. Swanson", dated there "84" This watercolor is by a skilled hand (see other works by him in my shop), though I cannot seem to find a listing for the artist. There is a listing for a RAY Swanson (Cowboy Artists of America), but this is not that artist...

Oil on canvas painting of the streets in the oft-painted Montmartre section of Paris, 18" by 24" (25" by 31" framed), signed at lower right by the noted well listed French naive artist LOUIS PEYRAT (1905-1999). This is a classic scene that reminds of Maurice Utrillo, who, I read online, was a cousin of Peyrat (one painting in the auction record featured as its subject matter Utrillo's house). The muted color palette lends an austerity and understatement to this fine work...

Watercolor painting on paper, 29 1/2" by 21 1/2", (37 1/2" by 29 1/2" framed behind Plexi, in simple gold metal framing), signed at lower right "Julia R. Ayres" (and copyright symbol and 1985 date). The subject is the world famous Grand Canyon in Arizona. Ayres might be a listed artist, there being another Julia Ayres on google known as an artist, but further research should be conducted to see if there might be a relationship...

Pencil signed at lower right, numbered 201/250 at lower left, is this circa 1975 modern print by the noted listed Israeli-born (Haifa), French artist who also worked in America, NISSAN ENGEL (1931-). The work measures 20" by 15" in its silvery metallic framing. The colors do not seem to be faded, though there is rippling in the paper visible in most of the margins, likely from exposure to a damp environment. There is no mold however...

Beautifully executed by an unknown but obviously talented artist is this 10" by 8" oil on canvas of a seated woman draped in fabric, against a darker drape background. The work is contemporary. It was found unframed and for illustration purposes I have "married" it to a frame that somewhat fits it, however, the frame is marginally unsuitable because it is a bit shallow for an oil painting's stretcher...

Oil on canvas laid on board landscape of whitewashed red-roofed buildings, foreground donkeys carrying loads while chickens graze nearby, 11 1/4" by 15 1/2" (15 1/2" by 20" framed), signed at lower right by 20th century Hungarian or Romanian artist JULIO BEREGSZASZY. The artist's works of Venezuela, executed in the 1950's, indicate that he spent time there or was from there despite the European name. Little else seems to be known about this talented impressionist...

Gouache and pencil on paper, 16 3/4" by 12 1/2" (slightly larger as simply framed), signed at lower left by listed American artist JOHN EDWIN JACKSON (1876-1950). The scene is a genteel one, with a proper southern gentleman and belle, in a grand architectural setting. The artist was very prolific, illustrating many books and magazines in the first half of the twentieth century, yet, little seems to be known about him. A few pieces have been sold at illustration art auctions...

Etching on paper, 6 1/8" by 9" inside the mat (13 1/8" by 15 1/2" as framed in attractive oak), the title "Emigrants on the Plains", bearing at lower left margin "F.O.C. Darley, fecit." and at lower center "Entered according to act of Congress, A.D. 1869, by D. Appleton & Co in the clerks' office of the district court for the southern district of N.Y.", and at lower right "H.B. Hall, Jr. sc.". This is an extremely clean and fresh example of this well known print by an artist called one of A...

Oil on board, 13" by 17", unsigned, the subject a group of European-looking (French, I'd guess) buildings that appear as if they would belong in a country winery scene, with an early spring impressionistic landscape surrounding them. The conical tops remind me of structures I have seen in California wine country, or, in French chateau country. This one is difficult to describe adequately. I would imagine judging from the quality that it is the work of a listed artist, but I could not venture ...

Watercolor on paper, 9 1/8" by 6 3/4" inside the mat (14 1/4" by 11 5/8" in its simple green frame), unsigned, the subject a Spanish (most likely) church tower with arched and arcaded breezeways. I've opened this and don't find a signature nor other information. My best guess is that this would be one of the famous buildings in the south of Spain, such as Granada, Sevilla, etc., though I suppose it possible that it could be elsewhere in the Mediterranean region. The top of the tower has a Moo...

Oil on canvas, 8" by 10" and 1" wide frame, the subject a classic plein air landscape of the low desert. It is signed "Geraldine" at lower right, and on reverse is the inscription "To Dad Happy Anniversary from Mom". The painter was talented but no doubt still an amateur. This is a pleasant decorative painting that is ready to hang on the wall.

A turn of the century oil of red roses, signed at lower right "Myrtle Crittenden". There is a "Miss M. Crittenden" listed in Hughes' dictionary of California artists, and she was noted there to have exhibited at the California state fair in 1881. This painting came out of the Sacramento area, so, that makes sense. Not dated but likely dates to early 20th century when such works were still especially popular, as they had since Victorian times. This oil measures 18 3/4" by 15 1/4" plus 3 1/2" o...

Pastel on paper drawing of a blonde, very Nordic-looking woman, 17 1/2" by 13 1/2" (25 1/2" by 21 1/2" as framed), signed at lower left Ruth Sammons. I cannot find any information on the artist but she was surely talented. The drawing is very strong and in excellent, fresh condition, and it is very nicely framed with a burl wood type frame and quality matting. The only "Sammons" that comes to mind as a listed artist is Carl Sammons, the California plein air landscapist; I speculate, and it is...

This is a beautifully executed work in charcoal, 18" by 15" (19" by 16" as framed), the subject a young girl, staring out at the viewer, likely wearing her school uniform, circa 1930's or 1940's, I am thinking. Unfortunately there is no signature. When I first saw this I thought it possible it might be by a Taos and Santa Fe master.......and I held on to it for many years, thinking I could run into another work that would unlock the mystery. That work has not come by, so, I will offer her for...