As you found out, the Piazza Navona is on the tour bus circuit & it is ringed with overpriced tourist restaurants & well stocked with all manner of tourist kitsch for sale - including the inevitable cheap art.

Ian

So... someone who also has a painting by this artist contacted me after finding my post on Pelican through a Google search. Seems her mom bought the piece directly from the artist in Toronto in 1958. She said a shop in Canada appraised the painting at $2500 Cdn several years ago.

Do old paintings by unknown artists have value?

Amazing how Google search can make you rich :)

I do like the painting but can you put a few cars in it ?

Bob says, "Hey, that's one of my better ones! Later, I'll use this same brush to paint John L.'s house"

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1430690745.jpg

Sure, when your selling them. ;)

Who is the artist? Even if the person is a relative unknown, if they have a body of work, there's some potential. The painting is a decorative style, not a masterpiece to be sure, but its got great curb appeal. Lots of motion, good color, festive scene. I fear a man card violation here, but the painting has 'whimsy'. It might take some time to find the right market.

LOL-

Back alley Asian art college 101. Though I think these artist have graduated from paint by numbers. They can pump out multiple paintings of a same subject in their sleep.

This one measure 38" x 26". I think the value is in the frame.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1430703317.jpg


http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1430703341.jpg


http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1430703357.jpg


http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1430703371.jpg

Not my thing but from what I've heard by collectors, the copies by renowned artist is massive, often hanging in prominent galleries. Many are afraid to learn if its a fake for the possibility of losing the investment.

Also, the obscure genuine are often left in the retirement territories, such as in major cities in FL. Forgotten stuff from generations back, un-recognized, family / estates just shrudge it off assuming are fakes.... old grannie or grandpa couldn't have afforded that mentality. The NYC crowd are more sophisticated in estate acquisition.

I would buy things like the OP painting, I buy stuff in antiques shops all the time even. Everyone doesn't know everything about what they have. I have bought some nice stuff for $20 worth thousands. but then kissed some frogs too.

Good one! :D

It is a sticky wicket. I purchased an Ansel Adams with solid provenance. It seems to be a lithograph and not a silver gelatin. I spoke with a number of folks including the museum at Yosemite. Bottom line? The $60 I spent for the photo was a good buy. Was it a great buy? Probably not.

My point? I have the "real thing" and there still isn't much value.

Larry