Painting ID Help?

John Bonzo · 07:59 PM

I am trying to help my grandfather find information about this painting in his house that belonged to his grandmother. I believe that the bottom photo is a signature, but I cannot make out anything in it.

PAINTING:
http://i344.photobucket.com/albums/p...o/DSC_0086.jpg

SIGNATURE:
http://i344.photobucket.com/albums/p...o/DSC_0094.jpg

Any information would be greatly appreciated (even basic things like era or style). Thank you very much!

Eirene · June 3rd, 2010, 02:23 AM

I thought at first it was India and the signature looks like East Indian script. The flag, however, could be either Romanian or African I believe. The passengers in the boats look neither Indian nor African. Romanians a long long way from home?

They look British or French to me.

I rather like it. Love the reflection on the water. Could use a cleaning perhaps, to brighten up the sky.

I'm sure one of the experts here will come along and give us a history lesson.

John Bonzo · June 3rd, 2010, 08:18 AM

Thanks for your thoughts! I had always assumed that it was a French flag, but the background building does not look french?? My grandfather was born in 1918 I think, so his grandmother likely acquired it in the late 19th century.

Here is a link to higher quality images of the painting:
Painting
Signature

Thanks!

saintmarc · 09:16 AM

You're among these experts dear Eirene, and not the least but I am a bit disappointed that you didn't recognize the Flag of my beautiful country that always looks like red-white-blue when seen in that direction since the colors of a flag must be expressed from the mast.
This painting is certainly french around 1830/1840. I hope I'll be able to identify this particular subject that apparently ( from hats and garments)tooks place in the 17th century (I'llhave to explain the fact that the french colors are here though dating only from the end of the 18th cent.!).
I am convinced that the red marks are not a signature but some embroidery or ornament.
Some better photos would help.

Eirene · June 3rd, 2010, 12:13 PM

Well I do have a problem with the colours on the flag. I have come across this before. The French flag is Red White and Blue, however, in a lot of artwork it looks to be Red, Yellow or Gold and Blue. I have done extensive searches in the past trying to find an era when the French flag was these colours.

Now I realize what an idiot I have been, the colour change is due to the age of the painting or varnish.

Are those buildings French?

I have enlarged the painting and done a few closeups.

John · June 3rd, 2010, 11:13 PM

I have to agree with saintmarc -- because there are some similar markings directly above the "signature", I think that it's probably just ornamentation. Maybe it's even supposed to represent embroidered writing in Arabic or Persian (Farsi).

John Bonzo · June 5th, 2010, 07:19 AM

Thanks for the replies and opinions. I guess I'll start researching French art in the early/mid 19th century. Next time I am at my grandfathers, I will take the painting down and see if there is anything written on the back and look closer for a signature.

June 2nd, 2010, 02:24 PM	#1
John Bonzo Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 3	Painting ID Help? I am trying to help my grandfather find information about this painting in his house that belonged to his grandmother. I believe that the bottom photo is a signature, but I cannot make out anything in it. PAINTING: http://i344.photobucket.com/albums/p...o/DSC_0086.jpg SIGNATURE: http://i344.photobucket.com/albums/p...o/DSC_0094.jpg Any information would be greatly appreciated (even basic things like era or style). Thank you very much! Last edited by John Bonzo : June 2nd, 2010 at 07:59 PM.

June 3rd, 2010, 08:52 AM	#4
saintmarc Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 347	You're among these experts dear Eirene, and not the least but I am a bit disappointed that you didn't recognize the Flag of my beautiful country that always looks like red-white-blue when seen in that direction since the colors of a flag must be expressed from the mast. This painting is certainly french around 1830/1840. I hope I'll be able to identify this particular subject that apparently ( from hats and garments)tooks place in the 17th century (I'llhave to explain the fact that the french colors are here though dating only from the end of the 18th cent.!). I am convinced that the red marks are not a signature but some embroidery or ornament. Some better photos would help. Last edited by saintmarc : June 3rd, 2010 at 09:16 AM.

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June 3rd, 2010, 02:23 AM	#2
Eirene Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 624	I thought at first it was India and the signature looks like East Indian script. The flag, however, could be either Romanian or African I believe. The passengers in the boats look neither Indian nor African. Romanians a long long way from home? They look British or French to me. I rather like it. Love the reflection on the water. Could use a cleaning perhaps, to brighten up the sky. I'm sure one of the experts here will come along and give us a history lesson.

June 3rd, 2010, 08:18 AM	#3
John Bonzo Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 3	Thanks for your thoughts! I had always assumed that it was a French flag, but the background building does not look french?? My grandfather was born in 1918 I think, so his grandmother likely acquired it in the late 19th century. Here is a link to higher quality images of the painting: Painting Signature Thanks!

June 3rd, 2010, 11:13 PM	#6
John John Malyon, host Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 2,401	I have to agree with saintmarc -- because there are some similar markings directly above the "signature", I think that it's probably just ornamentation. Maybe it's even supposed to represent embroidered writing in Arabic or Persian (Farsi).

June 5th, 2010, 07:19 AM	#7
John Bonzo Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 3	Thanks for the replies and opinions. I guess I'll start researching French art in the early/mid 19th century. Next time I am at my grandfathers, I will take the painting down and see if there is anything written on the back and look closer for a signature.