Expert: Josef-Peter Roemer - 5/26/2009

Question
QUESTION: We have an old painting that my grandparents brought over from the Netherlands in the early 1900's.  The signature is J TenCate.  I believe it is an oil painting.  Any ideas how to tell who painted this painting and if it is worth anything.  The signature almost looks like it was smudged out and then signed again.  Thanks Deb

ANSWER: Hi Deb,
thank you for your email, would you please put up a photo of the whole painting and a close up of the signature without the glare, I cannot see his signature.  Thank you

Regards

Josef-Peter

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: here is another pic of the signature

Answer
Hi Deb.
Thank you for the photo, the signature looks like it was written with a marker, and it looks like the layer under the signature has been altered.

I would take the painting to a restorer to see if it can be restored to its original state. It certainly would be worth it since it is a very good painting.

Thats the best advice I can give you at this point.  If you really want to know who painted it and its value you will have to have that part of the painting restored.  I would have it cleaned at the same time.

Regards

Josef-Peter