Original print in black and white, described on paperwork affixed to the backing as a Heliogravure, 10 1/4" by 8 3/4" inside the mat (26" by 22" as framed), not signed or numbered. The popular and familiar image is "Gabrielle et Jean" (after the famous painting of Renoir's wife and son). Heliogravure is described as one of the very earliest photographic etching processes. Apparently in 1919 at the artist's death, heliogravures were made of many of his popular paintings...

This is a rather unusual and visually arresting contemporary work by a Japanese or Japanese-American artist, signed at top right "Yasushi Saito" and dated there '78. An oil on canvas, unframed, measuring 23" by 19", the work is difficult to describe: a carp-like blue fish at right center appears with conical mountains that resemble Mount Fuji or desert peaks, as stunted bizarre vegetation, possibly trees, complete the visual feast...

By 18th century German etcher and engraver GEORG FRIEDRICH SCHMIDT (1712-1775), this is a fine and beautiful print, titled "Der Bartige Orientale" (The Bearded Oriental), signed in the plate at upper left "G F Schmidt fec" and dated there 1750. Engraved in the plate at lower left in French: "dedie a Monsieur le Comte Algarotti Chambellan de su Majeste Russienne par su tres humble et tres obeissant serviteur Schmidt" (dedicated to Mr...

Oil on Masonite panel painting of a thicket of trees in the snow, 16" by 12", 19 1/4" by 15 1/2" framed, signed at lower left by artist S C Swiderski and dated there '86 with copyright symbol. The bare trees are accompanied by a lone pine or spruce which gives a bit of green color to an otherwise silvery white/blue palette. The impressionist work is very attractive and it is in excellent condition. Note how the artist used the wooden end of the brush to create a groove in the wet paint...

Drawing on paper, 6 1/2" by 9 1/4" the scene only, 9 1/2" by 12 1/2" as framed, signed at lower right, followed by "fec. 1818" (abbreviation of the Latin word "fecit", meaning "executed", in that year). Try as I might, I cannot make out the name. I've tried Pfohl, Pfahl, Pigott, and so on. In any event, here's a drawing that has survived in excellent condition after nearly 200 years...

A circa late 1800's or circa 1900 antique painting on gray art board of a lake at sunset, a steep outcropping with ruins at left and a small boat completing the composition, unsigned, by an amateur hand, 13 1/2" by 8 3/4" as framed. The work is in an ornate turn of the century frame with a few missing chips that could be easily painted over in gold. What more is there to say---it is a classic little painting of its era, perfect for a small or narrow wall.

Old watercolor painting of Yosemite National Park's famous "Tunnel Tree", signed at lower right by artist J. M. Stewart. The tree became famous after the drive-through tunnel was cut through it in 1881, making it an instant tourist attraction and one of the wonders of the astounding west. The tree fell in a storm in 1969, at which time it was estimated to be 2,100 years old. It had reached a height of 234 feet. The tunnel was 7 feet wide, 9 feet high and 26 feet long at the base...

Pastel on paper painting of an outdoorsman cooking his dinner over an open fire alongside a creek or lake, the setting sun reflected on the waters where his boat is tied up, the work measuring 17 1/2 " by 25" (23 1/2" by 28" in its vintage circa 1920's frame). Signed at lower right "Gillette", this is by an American artist who was a member of the early century pastel school, now best known for works by William Henry Chandler, Glatthaar, Gunderson, and others...

This is a small but powerful, classic work of the 1930's, a view of two men and a woman waiting----appropriately titled, apparently by the artist, on the reverse backing, "Waiting Room". Unframed, presently with just a mat, the piece itself measures 7 3/4" by 10 1/4". The artist is ALBERT ABRAMOVITZ (1879-1963). Abramovitz was born in Riga, Latvia...

Oil on canvas, 30" by 25" and 1 1/4" wide frame, unsigned, the subject two ladies and a cradled baby, in a traditional European interior of the nineteenth century. Due to the stretcher and canvas weave, I believe this is actually a work by an American artist, who skillfully copied a master work from Europe (probably Italian, or, Tyrol area/South German?)...

THREE original watercolors of women in elaborate costuming of the Art Nouveau period, circa 1890's, each signed with the pen name "Japhet", identical sizes and framing, (10 1/4" by 6 1/2", and 13 1/2" by 9 1/2" framed), by the noted French illustrator artist ALEXANDRE JEAN LOUIS JAZET (1814-1897). Jazet was the son of an artist who became a skilled engraver and lithographer, working often in stage design as an illustrator. He often signed with the pen name "Japhet" and "Minon"...

From the hand of pioneering modernist painter and printmaker GEORGE CONSTANT (1892-1978), a large (28" by 19 1/2" inside the mat, 36" by 27" framed) watercolor painting of white, pink and purple lilacs in a vase, signed at lower right by the artist. This is a striking work with a pronounced modern approach to still life...

Small oil on canvasboard contemporary painting of high mountains in the western United States, or, possibly, Canada, unframed, 6" by 9", signed at lower left with what appears as "Wingsford", "Wingard" or similar. The painting is by a trained hand, the depth of the landscape and the majesty of the mountain captured with skill. The painting is in excellent condition.

An unusually attractive example of the work of artist Anders Gittelson (1921-2003), better known by his brush name "GISSON" or "ANDRE GISSON"...

A striking watercolor and gouache painting of a black cat lounging amidst lily family garden flowers, 8 1/2" by 13 1/4" (18" by 22" as framed), signed at lower left by the noted New Mexico-associated artist AGNES GABRIELLE TAIT (1894-1981). Cats were a favorite subject of the artist, and collectors seek out those works specifically. Tait was born in New York City, and studied art there and in Europe (especially lithography). The Depression years were difficult for her as for countless other ar...

Oil on board painting of a European village scene: an intimate cobblestoned lane winds between Old World houses, as a threatening sky looms above. The work is unframed and measures 26" by 20 1/2". It is signed at lower right and dated there "12" (the year 1912). The artist is ALBERT ABRAMOVITZ (1879-1963). Abramovitz was born in Riga, Latvia. He received art training at the Imperial Art School of Odessa, Russia, then went on to further study at the Academie de la Grande Chaumiere in Paris. By...

An oil on panel laid on Masonite, the subject apples on a surface, one peeled, the work signed at lower left by listed Midwest artist JULIUS G. SEGALL (1860-1925). The 9" by 12" work (14" by 17" in later gold frame) draws from a long tradition of still life painting of fruit in Europe, and later 19th century America (from the Peales through Martin Johnson Heade and on to the Fall River School of Massachusetts). Segall was born in Prussia and spent his early years in Milwaukee. While young he ...

Charcoal drawing of a Native American woman removing a garment, 17" by 9 1/2" (24 1/2" by 16 1/2" framed), signed at lower left by noted contemporary American western artist NED JACOB (1938-). Jacob was born in Tennessee and found himself in Montana at a young age, working in Glacier Park. He became acquainted with the well-known Montana artist Ace Powell, who became a mentor. In the 1960's Jacob moved to Taos, New Mexico, where he began to paint in Walter Ufer's old studio. While in norther...