Expert: J Heuman - 10/5/2004

Question
I have a a very beutifull oil painting on canvas of a very lush forest scene with a pond on the right side. It is signed "Allom" on the left corner. The signature is not painted on, but rather like it was scratched on when the paint was semi-dry. Also, the "M" (last letter of the signature) is very distinctive, having three "humps" if you will, rather than 2.

I have done some internet searching and the only Allom I can find refrence to is Thomas Allom, and he died in the late 1800"s, can it be that my painting is really that old? Or is there some other Allom artist as well? Any help you can give will, be appreciated.

Sincerely  Dana Greer

Answer
Greetings Dana,

I have found no other record of a painter named Allom.  But not all artists throughout history are known and identified.  Surely, you found the birth and death dates for Thomas Allom (1804 to 1872) and short biographies available online.

Quite obviously, I cannot and will not address the authenticity of the painting in your possession.  (For that, you can contact a licensed appraiser.)

Best wishes, sincerely,
J Heuman