A detailed watercolor over ink and slight highlighting with gum Arabic of a man with a donkey loaded with two conical panniers of fresh vegetables approaching a man working at a board over a large cask of water with a stand of fresh vegetables behind him. The man with the donkey is probably from the country and trying to sell his produce to the stall owner. The page is roughly 12 7/8 x 16 5/8 inches (33 x 42 cm). The opening for the image is 11 ¼ x 14 ¼ inches (28.5 x 36 cm)...

Nicely drawn watercolor and pencil work titled "The Entrance" on backing, signed at lower left by German-born contemporary artist and author "Renata Zerner", and dated 1972. The piece measures 17" by 11" and 20 1/4" by 17 1/4" in the period aluminum frame. The image is quite mysterious and dreamy, a male and a female torso standing on either side of a portal of sorts. The artist has left it to the viewer to decide exactly where "The Entrance" leads. Condition is excellent...

A contemporary watercolor painting "Mirror Lake/Yosemite National Park", signed at lower right by Southern California artist Marcia L. Litchfield. The 20" by 14" watercolor (30 1/2" by 25" framed) features a look into the famous valley in late spring, when snow patches remain on the mountainside. The work is nicely done. Oak frame has a small bit of wear, and the Plexiglas is rubbed/scratched so may have to be replaced...

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"...

A By-path

Henry Hobart Nichols, Jr. (American, 1869-1962)

Watercolor on paper, signed and dated: “1897”.

Exhibited at the Third Annual Washington Water Color Club, 1898.

Illustrated in McMahan, The Artists of Washington, DC: 1796-1996, p. 158.

Provenance: from the Estate of Virgil McMahan.

A painter and illustrator, Nichols was a member of quite an artistic family...

A gouache on paper painting of Valletta, the historic, ancient capital of the Mediterranean island of Malta, 4 3/4" by 6 1/2" (9" by 10 1/2" framed), signed at lower left by the noted artist of Malta, VINCENZO d'ESPOSITO (1886-1946). The city is spread around the bell tower at right center, as a sailing craft plies the middle distance and what appears as a lobster trap is in the foreground...

A fine antique watercolor painting of Windsor Castle, the foreground with waterside cattle, boats and birds and a small footbridge, signed at lower left and dated 1852 by well-listed JOSEPH INCE (1806-1859). Ince was a David Cox pupil. He came to London in 1826, exhibiting at the Royal Academy as his skills advanced. Ince became known for drawings and paintings of Cambridge, Oxford, and Wales. This little work featuring Windsor Castle is desirable. There is no glass...

Late 19th century watercolor painting of the famous Spanish Steps in Rome, an historical church forming the backdrop to a scene still iconic today. 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 piece, which measures 12 3/4" by 8 3/4" inside the mat, and 22 1/2" by 18" as framed...

A beautiful drawing, small but very accomplished, 5 1/8" by 7 1/8" (9 1/4" by 11 1/4" framed), signed somewhat illegibly at lower left, but fully identified in old ink on the reverse as "Palais de Justice Rue de la Place du Chatelet", the artist EMILE APPAY, 1922. Note the fine details of the Sphinx at right, lamp posts, kiosks, and people dressed in period clothing...

Watercolor and ink on paper painting of flowers in a pot, 15 1/2" by 11 1/2" (23" by 19" as framed), signed at lower left and dated 1970 by the well-exhibited, Chinese-born artist who goes by the name "Chinyee". She was born in Nanjing and educated in Chongqing during the time of the Sino-Japanese War (1930's). By 1947 as the winner of a scholarship, the artist was able to come to the United States for study...

Circa late 19th century watercolor painting, probably American, 9 1/2" by 13" (16" by 19 1/4" framed), unsigned, featuring distant high snowy peaks behind a foreground lake. This was found in California and could be a scene of the American west. More than likely, it is by a listed artist---who neglected to sign his or her work. There is some edge browning from the mat, otherwise the work is in excellent condition considering its obvious age.

Good representation in the style of Lin Rongqian’s cursive calligraphy, as a Mandarin: Fu Lu/Cantonese: Fuk. This is a gift given to someone to congratulate them and wish them financial success in their career. This is a scroll mounted painted meant to be hung horizontally. There are small tabs in the upper side with which to do so. Mounted- L: 150cm/59in and W: 60cm/23in.

A peaceful scene---slow moving creek in a landscape, bordered by trees in what appears to be early autumn, signed at lower left center by Massachusetts listed artist JOHN J. FRANCIS (1862-1933). The work is competently painted by an artist who seems to have specialized in the watercolor medium. His works are often encountered in New England. Auction records seem to be hopeless entangled with another American artist with the same name, born in 1889 and died 1939. That Francis was more of an i...

WING HOWARD, AMERICAN 1921-1998, AT THE BEACH, Watercolor, Sight: 21 X 28 In. (53.34 X 71.12 Cm.), Frame: 26 3/4 X 34 In Harrison Howard started his career at the age of 19, following in the footsteps of his late and well-known father, Wing Howard. Wing Howard is well-loved in San Diego for his murals at the Whaling Bar of the La Valencia Hotel in La Jolla. Wing Howard painted 4 pieces at La Valenica hotel as young artist. It is said that some of the work was done in trade for room and board....

Watercolor on paper, with skilled use of wet-on-wet technique, 19" by 27" (31" by 38" as framed), the subject quite possibly a city with figures, (but that is just a guess---only the artist knew for sure), signed at lower right "G. Benaroyo" (or "Benaroya") and dated there 1962. I believe Benaroyo or Benaroya is a Jewish surname, and I discovered upon opening this up that there is writing in Hebrew on the back of the work, the words "Benaroya landscape" and the original $150 price. I do not se...

Watercolor on paper painting 9 1/2" by 12 3/4" (14 1/2" by 18 1/2" framed), unsigned, executed on old watermarked paper. The scene is a landscape, perhaps an arid landscape of the west, but it's hard to tell for sure. Certainly it has some age, as the paper is toned (see edge indicating old mat presence in the past) and the reverse is even more browned, with sort of reverse images of the paint. The work is lightly taped at the sides to a modern white mat board, and the frame is gold and new a...

Original ink and watercolor drawing of historic houses in New Orleans, signed at right by artist Jean Johnson and dated there 1968, and titled at left "Cottage, Hoggle Place" or similar. The work is detailed and very nicely handled. I cannot locate information on the talented artist. Measurements are 10 1/2" by 14 1/2" (16 1/4" by 19 1/2" framed). The photos were taken through the old detail-dulling non-glare glass (which I suggest be discarded). Ask for sharper photos with the glass remove...

George Valmier, French, 1885-1937. 3 oil and collage on board, approximately 29.3cm by 22.3cm ( 11.5" by 8.9" ) all signed L G. Valmier,are available as a group or individually. Born and educated in France, Georges Valmier was a pioneer of the Cubist Movement. He studied with Luc-Olivier Merson at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts from 1905 to 1909. As early as 1911, he adapted the Cubist designs for practical application such as futuristic decorations for Marinetti’s theater. He exhibited his works in...