Icyspark

I have a 24x48 painting by an artist who signed "Tosi". I've been looking into the possibility that it may be an Italian artist by the name of Arturo Tosi. I've had one appraiser in New York affirm that assumption. But then I've also gotten one other appraiser in Baltimore who wasn't so sure. He suggested I contact Christie's or Sotheby's since they would possibly have more direct connection with the sale of this particular suspected artist. I

I am a graphic designer and work with art on a regular basis, but I am not specifically trained as an appraiser. From the limited research I've done online via Google image search I've seen enough of Arturo Tosi's paintings to give me the impression that what I have (and what you have) look to be stylistically compatible with Arturo's work. However, the main thing I've noticed in the 20+ images I've had access to is that there wasn't anything involving a cityscape (mine is a painting of a city at night on a river). What I've seen of Arturo's work is landscapes and a few still life paintings.

The signature on my painting looks very similar to the one which another forum participant posted on this forum (click here). Arturo's signatures vary from including the initial "A" before the word Tosi, with a few without the "A". It seems like the signature is similar enough to be a serious contender for being an Arturo Tosi.

The appraiser from Baltimore shared that in recent years Arturo Tosi's paintings have been selling in the range of $4,000 to $40,000. So I'm thinking it would be nice to discover it was by him.

I'd be interested in finding out if anyone else knows anything about this artist. Perhaps more people have a similar story?

But for the grace of God go I,cyspark

Image link for close-up on signature
Image link for painting

Unregistered

Hi guys, I also have one pic with the signature Tosi. It is a small pic with the ocean view. I believe that it was made by the same Italian artist Arturo Tosi. Thanks

Icyspark

Hi,

I would really love to see a photo of your painting and perhaps a close-up of the signature! We're really looking to find out who this artist is. Do you have any background information on your painting?

Thanks!

But for the grace of God go I,cyspark

Icyspark

Hi,

I'm still hoping you could provide further information about your painting. Since you are apparently not a registered user, could you give me a way to contact you? Thanks!

Ravenhill

I can't really weigh in on the id part, although it looks like him, and I believe he did some "surrealist" things later in life.
However, I would advise that you consider having it conserved/re-stretched ...from the way the canvas is stretching in the picture, it could do some damage.

Icyspark

Hi Ravenhill,

Thanks for your advice!

At this point, since I am not sure this painting has any significant value, I'm not sure that investing in re-stretching the canvas is going to be financially beneficial.

What is your background in art? Do you have any suggestions in how I might be able to identify the artist? What familiarity to you have with the artist Arturo Tosi that leads you to say it looks like his style?

Thanks!

But for the grace of God go I,cyspark

Icyspark

On doing a Google search I discovered someone selling a Tosi painting on Ebay. Considering the theme (cityscape), painting style, signature, and similar dimensions, it appears this painting comes from the same artist as the one who painted mine. But the seller also didn't seem to know the background of the artist. Below are links to Flickr which show the full painting as well as a close-up of the signature:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/4216198...n/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/42161985@N02/4402116260/

I'm still looking to find someone who can help me identify this artist. Any ideas or suggestions are appreciated. Thanks!

ljfarf

I too have a painting signed Tosi (purchased in 1969) at a travelling art show in NY. I have accumulated quite a bit information on Arturo Tosi which may be relevant. Arturo Tosi had varying signatures during his lifetime but all bear similarities.

Attached Images

	mytosi.jpg (251.8 KB, 110 views)
	signature.JPG (244.4 KB, 100 views)

Icyspark

Hi ljfarf,

Thanks for sharing. Your painting, while being similar in theme (cityscape on the water) to the one I have as well as the two others I've found on here or online, doesn't seem to be stylistically (i.e. paint strokes appear much smoother) the same. Your signature also looks quite different. But, as you noted, "Arturo Tosi had varying signatures."

Have you been able to talk to an appraiser about your painting? Or, were you able to find out any history about its background when it was originally purchased?

What kind of information about Arturo Tosi have you accumulated?

Thanks for your input!

Icyspark

The more research online I've been doing, the less convinced I am that what I have was painted by ARTURO Tosi. I just discovered another "Tosi" painting which looks to be from the same artist as the one who painted mine:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/42161985@N02/4663782173/

I find it interesting that no one seems to know more about this artist—not even those who have these paintings in their possession.

Today I finally got around to filling out a form and sending pictures to Sotheby's online estimates. Hopefully they'll have enough resources at their disposal to correctly identify this artist.

tray

To Icyspark,

I have a Tosi painting of the coliseum on Tiber, for the past 35 yrs. Would like to be in touch with people holding Tosi paintings. Never been evaluated. If any one could throw some light on the real Tosi would appreciate.Canvas 34"/46""

Unregistered

I found a picture at Goodwill with the signature Tosi. It is a beach scene. It measures approx "48 wide x 23" high. I would like to know if it by any known artist or someone just signed it. I am adding a link to a photobucket album of the picture. http://s193.photobucket.com/albums/z...il%20painting/
Thanks,
Tawnidilly@cox.net

Tawnidilly

Hi, I found this oil painting at a Goodwill. It is oil on canvas. It is a beach scene. It is approx 48" wide x 23" high. It has a signature of Tosi on it. I would like to know if my Goodwill find has any value. here is a link to my photobucket account of the painting. http://s193.photobucket.com/albums/z...il%20painting/
Thank you in advance for any help!
Tawnidilly

ljfarf

See my entry in March 2010. Signatures and color are very similar.


ljfarf

Icyspark

Some time ago I heard back from Sotheby's. They say my painting was NOT painted by Arturo Tosi. I saw a similar painting for sale at an art gallery. It was listed on eBay for $200.

I had also contacted several galleries in Italy and sent them photos of my painting. They also indicated that what I had was not an Arturo Tosi painting.

Thanks to everyone who has shared their insights into this mystery!

John

Glad you at least got an answer to that question.

Unregistered

I have a painting from an artist with the signature of A. Tosi. This is a family portrait that was done over seas. The picture was painted from two different pictures. I am wondering if this is the same A. Tosi everyone is speaking of.