trying to identify pencil sketch - person sitting on a log

wleishman · June 5th, 2011, 12:40 PM

Hello

There was some artwork hanging in my company's office but they decided to redecorate so they allowed us to take the picture and paintings that we wanted.
I took a pencil sketch drawing of a person (man?) sitting on a log. It is nicely framed and has a glass cover. The author and date are not readable but I can make out part of the title. The part I can read says "Study for <unreadable>".

I have a feeling this is a Canadian artist because my company and the office is in Ontario Canada. The picture was framed by The Queen's Gallery in Toronto (but they are no longer listed at the address on the label).

I took two pictures of the sketch but cannot attach them due to their file size but I made them available here:
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/sred...g& feat=email

If anyone has any ideas please let me know.

Regards,
Wayne

John · June 6th, 2011, 12:44 AM

This is from an Andrew Wyeth painting. I suspect it's not an original drawing, but if it is it's worth a pretty penny. I'll try and dig up the painting.

John · June 6th, 2011, 12:49 AM

April Wind

wleishman · June 6th, 2011, 08:36 AM

That's it! Wow, I wasn't expecting this to be identified so fast!

I can now make out the words "April Wind" but there is another word between "Study for" and "April Wind". For example: "Study for <unknown word> April Wind".
The unknown word looks like: temperu

Is there any way to put a value on this?

Thanks for your help!

Regards,
Wayne

wleishman · June 6th, 2011, 08:46 AM

Actually, after a bit more searching, someone else mentioned that the words are:
"study in tempera for april wind". I then did a search on "tempera" and found the definition:
"Tempera was the commonest technique before oil painting was invented in the 15th century. It is powder color mixed with egg yolk. Some artists use it even today."
You probably know this already but I'm not an art expert

Wayne

John · June 6th, 2011, 11:42 AM

Andrew Wyeth is famous for his work in egg tempera.

As for its value, I would think that the next step is to figure out what you've got - i.e. is this an original (since the same study seems to be readily viewable online, I'd guess not), was it hand signed by the artist (maybe), is it part of a limited edition (the lack of a number suggests it's not), etc.

wleishman · June 6th, 2011, 01:56 PM

Thanks John.
It's currently in a frame. Is it worth taking it out to look on the back of the picture for markings?

Wayne

John · June 6th, 2011, 02:29 PM

As long as you're careful I don't see why not. You might want to compare it to the print below, on which the writing is fairly clear. If yours is exactly the same then you can draw your own conclusions.

http://www.rubylane.com/item/608028-1056/Andrew-Wyeth-Print-x93Study-for

wleishman · June 6th, 2011, 03:42 PM

From what I can see the signature looks the same: shape of the letters, the way "April Wind" is underlined, the signature, etc...
Doesn't look like there is much value. The Ruby Lane website lists it at $20.

Oh well, it's nice to know the artist and story now.

June 5th, 2011, 12:40 PM	#1
wleishman Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 5	trying to identify pencil sketch - person sitting on a log Hello There was some artwork hanging in my company's office but they decided to redecorate so they allowed us to take the picture and paintings that we wanted. I took a pencil sketch drawing of a person (man?) sitting on a log. It is nicely framed and has a glass cover. The author and date are not readable but I can make out part of the title. The part I can read says "Study for <unreadable>". I have a feeling this is a Canadian artist because my company and the office is in Ontario Canada. The picture was framed by The Queen's Gallery in Toronto (but they are no longer listed at the address on the label). I took two pictures of the sketch but cannot attach them due to their file size but I made them available here: https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/sred...g& feat=email If anyone has any ideas please let me know. Regards, Wayne

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June 6th, 2011, 12:44 AM	#2
John John Malyon, host Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 2,400	This is from an Andrew Wyeth painting. I suspect it's not an original drawing, but if it is it's worth a pretty penny. I'll try and dig up the painting.

June 6th, 2011, 12:49 AM	#3
John John Malyon, host Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 2,400	April Wind

June 6th, 2011, 08:36 AM	#4
wleishman Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 5	That's it! Wow, I wasn't expecting this to be identified so fast! I can now make out the words "April Wind" but there is another word between "Study for" and "April Wind". For example: "Study for <unknown word> April Wind". The unknown word looks like: temperu Is there any way to put a value on this? Thanks for your help! Regards, Wayne

June 6th, 2011, 08:46 AM	#5
wleishman Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 5	Actually, after a bit more searching, someone else mentioned that the words are: "study in tempera for april wind". I then did a search on "tempera" and found the definition: "Tempera was the commonest technique before oil painting was invented in the 15th century. It is powder color mixed with egg yolk. Some artists use it even today." You probably know this already but I'm not an art expert Wayne

June 6th, 2011, 11:42 AM	#6
John John Malyon, host Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 2,400	Andrew Wyeth is famous for his work in egg tempera. As for its value, I would think that the next step is to figure out what you've got - i.e. is this an original (since the same study seems to be readily viewable online, I'd guess not), was it hand signed by the artist (maybe), is it part of a limited edition (the lack of a number suggests it's not), etc.

June 6th, 2011, 01:56 PM	#7
wleishman Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 5	Thanks John. It's currently in a frame. Is it worth taking it out to look on the back of the picture for markings? Wayne

June 6th, 2011, 02:29 PM	#8
John John Malyon, host Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 2,400	As long as you're careful I don't see why not. You might want to compare it to the print below, on which the writing is fairly clear. If yours is exactly the same then you can draw your own conclusions. http://www.rubylane.com/item/608028-1056/Andrew-Wyeth-Print-x93Study-for

June 6th, 2011, 03:42 PM	#9
wleishman Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 5	From what I can see the signature looks the same: shape of the letters, the way "April Wind" is underlined, the signature, etc... Doesn't look like there is much value. The Ruby Lane website lists it at $20. Oh well, it's nice to know the artist and story now.