About Ben Mahmoud Expertise Questions regarding "the business of the arts (ie.artist/dealer relations).
Questions regarding the collecting of contemporary art.
Please keep in mind that I am not a professional appraiser, however, I can direct interested parties to sources of information.
Experience 40 years as professor of art, Northern Illinois University
Curator of University Art Collection (responsible for purchase and care).
Member of the board of directors, Illinois Arts Council.
Juror of many competitions.
See vitae: http://benmahmoud.com/resume.html
Publications Many conference proceedings.
"Advice to Young Artists in a Postmodern Era" with William Dunning, Syracuse University Press, 2000.
Education/Credentials MFA, Ohio University, 1960
Awards and Honors See vitae: http://http://benmahmoud.com/resume.html
Question i have a oil painting signed VASSELLI can you providwe any info on that signature i read online something about a vasselli artist born in ITALY 1897 died 1966.
Answer There are several references to Vasselli. Some of the reference suggest a post renaissance artist, and some suggest a contemporary artist. There is an American artist named Vasselli who seems to have painted naval battles.
I would like to know the size of the work. What it is painted on. A vivid description of the image (better yet e-mail me a photo: bmahmoud@niu.edu).
Is there no indication of a date on the painting? Have you removed it from the frame so you can see the entire painted area?
When you look at the back of the painting, assuming it is on canvas, there are wooden edges called canvas stretchers. What do these look like..again a photo would be better. It is sometimes easier to determine the age of the work by the character of the stretchers.
Well, do a follow up and we shall see what we can find.
