About Jeni Andrews-Fraser Expertise Any questions relating to the art (painting, sculpture, design) and architecture of historical periods from the ancient Greeks to our modern age (roughly 600BC to 2000 AD). Please Note: I DO NOT undertake vaulations for artworks - for these, you need to contact a fine art dealer.
Experience Experience in the area:Course leader/lecturer - art history; Contextual studies lecturer (Foundation Art & Design degree); senior examiner (National UK Board) Organizations: Association of Art Historians
Institute of Educational Assessors
Education/Credentials: MA History of Art (Falmouth College of Art); BA Fine Art
Art History - oil painting schooner ships '' JOSEPH ''
Expert: Jeni Andrews-Fraser - 3/23/2008
Question I have an old canvas oil painting purchased at yard sale years ago. Measures 4-1/2' long and 3-1/2' tall .
Hand crafted wood frame . The painting is of two old schooner ships sailing in the ocean.
Signed "JOSEPH" can send pic
thanks
Answer Hello Kristy - and thanks for your question. Without seeing the painting, I haven't any chance in helping you to identify it - so please, do send me a link to a picture. The name 'Joseph' doesn't ring any bells at all - but perhaps there is additional information you could search for. Do you know when it was painted (is there a date?), a dealer's mark (on the back, or on the frame?), are you sure it's an original and not a print (remove the frame and check the edges of the canvas - you should be able to see an uneven painting line if an original, if smooth and uniform, then it's a print.) You can sometimes tell if it's a print without removing the frame -- if the surface of the canvas is uniform and smooth, it could indicate a print; if it has a surface texture created by accumulations of paint and cracked glazes, then it may well be an original (although there are processes by which prints can be manufactured to resemble original oil paintings - so beware!)
If you are looking for a history to the painting, or a valuation for insurance/re-sale purposes, then I advise you to take it to a local fine art dealer who should be able to provide information regarding the artist (maybe he's a local artist, or one that paints particular scenes etc.), its date, and its worth.
I'm sorry I cannot be more help at this time - send me a link and I'll see what I can tell you about your painting.
