An old watercolor on paper laid on board painting of old buildings, with a view to open water beyond the narrow lane. The work is signed with initials "MC" or "ME" at lower left but there is no other information. The watercolor measures 11 1/2" by 9" inside the mat and 18 1/2" by 16" as framed. There is old wood slat backing remaining. This might well be a scene of old England, perhaps Cornwall, but it is really hard to say more as to the locale portrayed...

Oil on canvasboard painting of a dirt road through a pine woodland, signed at lower right by artist ADDIE SYLVESTER. On the reverse side it is titled "Deep in the Heart of Texas", signed again and dated 1950. I do not see information on the artist. Curiously there was a woman by that name who passed away in 1989 in Manhattan, Kansas area; on the backing paper, most of a label is missing, but the remaining letters of what would be the town in the address are "MAN..."...

Oil on canvas painting of white and pink roses in a blue bowl, signed at lower right "Strachan". The work, measuring 18" by 24" and 23" by 28 1/2" in likely original frame, has tiny losses in background and lower left area. The frame also has light wear, and losses on back of left edge. Overall, a very shabby chic piece in feeling. There is an old Los Angeles framer's sticker on reverse backing.

Oil on canvas painting of a farmer by a water pump in an open field, two dray horses at center and left slaking their thirst. The work measures 11" by 12" and 15 1/2" by 16 1/2" in frame that may well be the original. The painting is signed faintly yet distinctly at lower left corner "S.S.C.", which is one of the known signatures of American artist SAMUEL SIMPSON CARR (1837-1908). Other known signatures include "S.S. CARR" and "S. CARR"...

A PAIR of watercolor paintings framed as one, in black and white, each signed lower corner "CC" or "LL", likely late 19th century or early 20th. Each measures 2 1/4" by 3 1/4" (12 1/2" by 9" as framed). There is no information inside on the identity of the talented artist. Silvery frame and hand drawn mat makes for a very elegant little piece.

A most unusual painting on wood panel, 24" by 30", unframed, featuring some gritty, tough-looking downtown Los Angeles men in a claustrophobic, vertiginous streetscape of old hotel buildings. The Hotel Rosslyn and annex were built in 1914 and 1923, respectively, and were fashionable places to stay, in their day, at Fifth and Main in old downtown. The medium used is likely casein or other non-oil, water-based paint...

An American oil on panel painting, unsigned, likely circa 1920, unframed, featuring a landscape including a lake, some distant low mountains, and yellowing foliage in foreground suggesting autumn as the season. The piece measures 14" by 22". Surface is dirty---could really use a cleaning/varnish---and there is paint chipping along left, top, and bottom edges, as well as a small loss at left center in the foliage. Needs some TLC but the essentials are all there...

A lithograph titled in pencil in margin at lower left "Algerian Caravan", and pencil signed and numbered at lower right margin, by the noted western Michigan (Muskegon area) artist WILFRED "WALLY" BERG (1908-2002). Measurements are 15 1/2" by 19 1/2". The complex image features a caravan of camels and burros, led by their handlers, descending a steep mountain trail to a valley in Algeria, where the artist served during the Second World War...

A beautifully executed watercolor painting of a proper Victorian lady in her fine parlor, her chair and small table sitting on a bear skin rug. The work is unfortunately unsigned. It measures 18 1/4" by 12 3/4" at the mat opening (25 1/2" by 19 1/2" as framed). This was acquired from a New Jersey dealer, in Florida. He claimed to have had a bit of paper with the name of the artist but has never been able to come up with it despite my requests...

Oil on canvas painting with great luminosity, the subject small craft pulled up on foreground beach, with a view to distant ships offshore a city, signed at lower left corner and dated 1876 by well listed Danish painter NORDAHL GROVE (1822-1885). The work measures 17 1/2" by 26" (23 1/2" by 32" framed). The luminous handling and colors reminds of works by northeastern American artists of the late 19th century...

Early landscape painting of a likely imaginary, idealized, pyramidal mountain peak of California, (doesn't really resemble Mt. Shasta, but I suppose it could be), 20" by 16" on the stretchers, painted on canvas, 25 3/4" by 21 3/4" in a fine old gold 19th century frame, signed at lower right by artist "C. A. Simpson" and dated there 1886. The painting is firmly in the luminous tradition of some of the eastern Hudson River artists, with a pinkish glow suffusing the sky...

A watercolor painting featuring a street scene in exotic Cusco, Peru, the imagery of a steep walkway in the high altitude mountain city, a lone figure in classic, native Andean dress descending the steps, an extensive view of tiled rooftops, whitewashed buildings and churches completing the middle distance, as serrated mountain ranges fill the horizon. The 10 7/8" by 7 1/2" painting (15 1/4" by 12 1/4" framed) is signed at lower left "ORE" and dated there 1980...

An original botanical watercolor drawing of unknown age, apparently unsigned, featuring leaves and insects, one likely a wasp or similar. The work is very clean and ready for the wall. Some slight brownish toning of the paper seems to be accentuated by the camera; it does not appear that way to the naked eye. The attention paid to detail, by the artist, is impressive. The crisp and stylish monochromatic gray/black/white scheme makes this a neutral piece that will fit into a lot of situations...

A vintage framed 1929 print featuring a peaceful homestead, evidently in Texas, as the scene is filled with bluebonnets in the spring. The framed work measures 13" by 17" and is in excellent condition. Perfect addition to your Texas home sweet home, or reminder of Texas if you are somewhere else and are homesick. Allow for reflections in a few images.

A charming oil on canvas painting of central Paris by the Seine, a number of tiny figures enjoying their walks along the river with its barges. The artist signed at lower right "L Florguin" and dated the work 1953. Very surprisingly I see only scant information under this name. However the artist was obviously very familiar with the French naive school painters who flourished in the immediate post-war years. Measurements are 18" by 13" on the stretchers and 23 1/2" by 18 1/2" in "distressed"...

Late 19th century watercolor painting of a religious road-side shrine, probably outside of Rome, an imposing church dome (probably St. Peter's Basilica) forming the backdrop to the scene. The painting is signed at lower left "Conti"; it is possible it is a work of the listed artist Tito Conti (1842-1924) but I cannot say for certain that he was the artist. The unframed piece measures 14 3/4" by 11 1/4". Note the exceptionally fine detail throughout; the traditional clothing of the foreground fig...

Boris Riab (French, 1898-1975)

Setter with Woodcock

Watercolor on Paper, signed

Sight size:17.75" x 12.75
Unframed, Mat size: 23" x 18"

Biography:
Boris Riab (Born November 1, 1898 Boris Riabouchinsky, in Moscow, Russia. Riab died in 1975 in Saint Vincent du LorouÃr.)
Due to his families finances, Riab studied at many different art schools in Moscow.
In 1917, Riab's family fled Russia after the Bolshevik Party gained power. Pursuing hu...

A late 20th century acrylic on canvas painting of an old New England mill by the mill pond in winter snow, 12" by 36" (15 1/4" by 39" framed), signed at lower right by recognized contemporary Rhode Island-based artist GERALD A. ROBILLARD. The peaceful work captures beautifully the peace of a mid winter New England day while the snow falls. One can almost hear the roar of the falls at right, typical of a mill pond. In olden days the water power would have powered the mill, possibly where texti...

A contemporary, unsigned oil on canvasboard work, 9" by 12" (12 1/2" by 15 1/2" in simple black frame), the subject small boats at a dock, one likely a fishing boat. The work was likely painted rather rapidly by an artist of talent. It is clean and ready for the wall.

Oil on canvasboard painting of a woman with basket on head in tropical town street, 12" by 16", 17" by 21" framed, signed at lower right Paul Katzman. The FRAME is most interesting, with a geometric cross-hatching pattern that would complement a Southwest themed painting.

A **PAIR** of black and white vintage photographs, circa 1948, of one Navion single engine small aircraft, flying over the San Gabriel Mountains behind Claremont, California, the photos by noted Claremont resident and pioneer aerial photographer, ROBERT C. FRAMPTON (1909-1989). One work measures 8 1/2" by 12", and is stamped on the back by the photographer, dated there April 29, 1948, and titled "Over Baldy Range" in Navion 4-48"; the second, larger work measures 15 1/2" by 19 3/4, is signed in...

A vintage circa 1930's watercolor of old two story hotels on a block in Oakdale, in California's Central Valley, between San Francisco and Yosemite, signed at lower right by listed California woman artist ESTELLA HOISHOLT (1889-1979). The buildings are of brick and a quaint, older style rarely seen nowadays in California, countless earthquakes having taken their toll on masonry buildings. Several figures linger around the hotels, and water is reflected in the foreground of what may be an unpav...

A really nicely done watercolor on heavy watercolor paper, the subject a New York Central Park view, the artist evidently looking south across a lake towards the famous San Remo Apartments residential building with its distinctive towers. Signed at lower right in Asian (Chinese?) characters and with red artist seal there, also signed and stamped again on the reverse side, where it is titled "Evening at Central Park #13" and dated March 31, 2008. The watercolor is of high quality and obviously ...

A charcoal and color chalk drawing of a young boy, 8 1/2" by 4 1/2" inside the mat and 11 1/2" by 7 1/2" framed, apparently unsigned. The work is affixed at three edges to another sheet, I was able to peer into the back via the open side and do not see any writing or other information there. The drawing extends beyond the mat, as shown. Nicely executed work by unknown artist.

A decorative impressionist landscape painting of autumnal trees in an intimate space, perhaps a shallow arroyo, oil on canvasboard, 18" by 14" (25" by 21" framed), signed at lower left by artist Alison Lowe. It is framed in gold frame with clean liner and all in all is a solid decorative picture for moderate cost.

An interesting late 19th century, antique drawing of woodland plants, unsigned on front, word "Stanyan" on reverse, where the date "Oct. 28th/84" is written in pencil in old hand. The work measures 15" by 11" (slightly smaller inside the pink mat--which plays off the pink flowers) and 23 1/2" by 19 3/4" in frame (no glass). The piece shows some age, in overall toning and there are some meandering abrasions at upper right and along right edge; also there is a rip about 1 1/2" at lower right cor...

Oil on canvas American painting of a clipper foundering in a storm, 20" by 27" (22 1/2" by 29 1/2" in a nice old gold period frame), unsigned, circa 1870's. The work strongly resembles that of American marine artist CLEMENT DREW (1806-1889) but is unsigned. The painting is in poor condition currently. It appears to have had a reline decades ago, and likely overpainting. Now there is craquelure throughout, flaking paint and other issues. It could well be a work by Drew but its being unsigned...

A Mediterranean landscape painting, oil on board, 13" by 19" (19 1/2" by 25 1/2" framed) signed at lower right "ELBAZ" and above that, the same name in Hebrew script. This could be a work by listed artist ANDRE ELBAZ (1934-) but I am unable to confirm that. The listed Elbaz painted works in Morocco and some have brought large sums at auction there. The art displays a certain poetry in the arrangement of the houses, figures and trees, similar to the way that Reuven Rubin arranged his Holy Land...

An old oil on canvas painting of a swift-running river in a steep mountain canyon landscape in the fall, 24 1/2" by 20" (32 1/2" by 27 1/2" in circa 1920's pie crust style frame, unsigned on front, with "Herman Herzog/Storm at Yosemite" written on the back of the canvas in an old style hand (difficult to photograph, I have provided two images). The painting is offered as a late 19th century/turn of the century oil but without a signature or provenance it will be difficult to do more than attrib...

Late 19th century American watercolor painting of sheep in a country landscape with trees, 12" by 24 1/2" (21" by 33 1/2" framed), signed at lower right with initials "S.M.G.". The artist might be hard to identify but the work resembles watercolors by such artists as Carl Weber (see example in my shop). The artist has used a combination of watercolor and white gouache. Condition is excellent. The gold frame has age and there are some missing pieces.

A finely detailed oil on panel painting of flowers in a vessel set upon a plinth on a tabletop, painted in the late 20th century but based on the style of the old Dutch master painters of the 17th century, signed at lower left by artist RICARD SANGER. Note the painting of the tulips, in particular. The work measures 20" by 15 1/2" and 27 1/2" by 23" nicely framed. On the reverse is written "Ricard Sanger/Aus. School" (presumably, Austrian?) and then the artist's name again in pencil. Research...

An accomplished drawing in pastel, 16" by 31 1/2" (22" by 38" in present framing), signed on the reverse by local Los Angeles artist Julie Belnick (1957-), and dated there 1989. The strange, surrealistic, stark modernist scene is of two brooms leaning against several walls dividing an otherwise empty space. A silvery gray tone dominates, with some subtle yellow mixed in, resulting in an elegant and mysterious work. Belnick is a Southern California artist with an exhibition history. A write u...

A vintage impressionist oil on board painting with modernist touches, unsigned, 20" by 16". The work is probably by a listed artist but alas there is no signature. The almost Cubistic handling of the cloth and rear drape and the foreshortened space are most interesting. The work probably dates to about the 1940's. Unframed, and with some small faults common to older paintings, including light soiling, a few minor losses, edge losses etc.

This work is guaranteed to be an original pencil drawing, and not a print nor reproduction of any kind. The drawing (15" by 23", 20" by 26 3/4" in simple metal framing) is amazingly detailed, featuring an old time steam boat, the General Slocum, as it might have appeared in New York harbor around the turn of the century. The Brooklyn Bridge towers at right and sailing craft complete the scene at lower right. The artist signed the work at lower left and dated it 1995. Karvelas does not seem t...

An oil on canvas painting of the symmetrical snow-capped cone of Mt. Fujiyama in Japan, hardy palms in the foreground, signed at lower right by Japanese artist "T. Arashi" (signed in English and Japanese characters), no date, circa 1980. The artist was very talented and has created a beautiful and arresting composition. The mystical, famous mountain stands in all its glory above the surrounding landscape. Condition is excellent. I have not been able to locate information on the artist. Meas...

Ink and wash on paper drawing, 14" by 9 3/4" inside the mat, 19 1/2" by 15 1/2" as framed (no glass), signed at lower right by American master artist JOHN EDWARD HELIKER (1909-1999). Heliker was a significant figure in American art of the twentieth century, working as an illustrator, and painting figures, florals, genre and interior scenes, landscapes and marines. At auction, works have exceeded $20,000. A student of Boardman Robinson, Kenneth Hayes Miller, Kimon Nicolaides, and Thomas Hart Ben...