Barlin (?) '68 Desert Landscape - Help

PSCanyon · April 2nd, 2011, 08:03 PM

Bought this in Palm Springs at local consignment store. Trying to find some info on the artist. Appears to say "Barlin 68". It's roughly 49 x 61 in size.

"M. Williams" is written on back frame, which I assume is the name of the person who had the piece framed.

Appreciate if anyone can confirm artist name and any info.
Thanks.

April 2nd, 2011, 11:51 PM

I do not often see artwork on these types of sights that I like, but you have a good eye. The signature is actually a stylized version that most likely reads "Berlin ? '68" although it may also read "Bartin" or "Bartini. Ben Berlin and Paul Burlin (who was known to work under the name "Harry Berlin") were both known for their non-objective abstract work, so seriously investigate both those possibilities, especially Paul, who was known to paint Western scenes. Walter Bartinia, also, was a California artist, and since that is desert country in your painting, I'd suggest seeing what you can find there, as well. Compare signatures if and when possible, as sometimes the art will seem similar, then you see the way the signatures fail to compare, and you cannot believe just how wrong you were.

I placed the question mark in the transcribed name above because of that unknown mark one sees above the date. It could be an "s" or it could be a misleading bit of nothing, but I would keep it in mind as you search, nonetheless.

One of the best ways to research a painting with an artist of whom you are completely unfamiliar is to simply run a google image search. Plug the last name of the artist, plus "painting" or "art" and see what pops up (sometimes I just use the name, but it is usually quicker if you can be more specific). If you see anything that is at all similar to your painting, you have a place from which to begin your efforts!

Askart.com is great because you can plug in as few as only the first two initials of a name and the system will give you a list to go through, although sometimes it can be overwhelming. Findartinfo.com is particularly great because you can take whatever letters you know, input them in the search box, leaving spaces where the letters you cannot read ought to go. The system will give you anything that might fit the bill. It, too, can sometimes give way too much info, but is an excellent way to narrow any search, especially when you know you know some letters in the name. For a test run, I input "B rlin " and was given 168 names, a very serviceable number, and some real possible winners.

John · April 3rd, 2011, 12:27 AM

Thanks Dodger, very helpful responses. If you register a user ID (no cost), I can set you up so that moderation is not required for your posts to appear.

(By default all posts have to be approved, which can take hours or even until the next day. This is necessary due to the high number of spam posts we get.)

PSCanyon · April 3rd, 2011, 01:38 AM

Thank you very much for the info Artful Dodger. I have a place to start and look forward to seeing what I can find. Appreciate the kind remarks on this purchase. I buy what I like first and foremost (assuming the price is right) and then investigate later. Will post what I find at a later date.

April 2nd, 2011, 11:51 PM	#2
Artful Dodger Posts: n/a	Your painting... I do not often see artwork on these types of sights that I like, but you have a good eye. The signature is actually a stylized version that most likely reads "Berlin ? '68" although it may also read "Bartin" or "Bartini. Ben Berlin and Paul Burlin (who was known to work under the name "Harry Berlin") were both known for their non-objective abstract work, so seriously investigate both those possibilities, especially Paul, who was known to paint Western scenes. Walter Bartinia, also, was a California artist, and since that is desert country in your painting, I'd suggest seeing what you can find there, as well. Compare signatures if and when possible, as sometimes the art will seem similar, then you see the way the signatures fail to compare, and you cannot believe just how wrong you were. I placed the question mark in the transcribed name above because of that unknown mark one sees above the date. It could be an "s" or it could be a misleading bit of nothing, but I would keep it in mind as you search, nonetheless. One of the best ways to research a painting with an artist of whom you are completely unfamiliar is to simply run a google image search. Plug the last name of the artist, plus "painting" or "art" and see what pops up (sometimes I just use the name, but it is usually quicker if you can be more specific). If you see anything that is at all similar to your painting, you have a place from which to begin your efforts! Askart.com is great because you can plug in as few as only the first two initials of a name and the system will give you a list to go through, although sometimes it can be overwhelming. Findartinfo.com is particularly great because you can take whatever letters you know, input them in the search box, leaving spaces where the letters you cannot read ought to go. The system will give you anything that might fit the bill. It, too, can sometimes give way too much info, but is an excellent way to narrow any search, especially when you know you know some letters in the name. For a test run, I input "B rlin " and was given 168 names, a very serviceable number, and some real possible winners.

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April 3rd, 2011, 12:27 AM	#3
John John Malyon, host Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 2,404	Thanks Dodger, very helpful responses. If you register a user ID (no cost), I can set you up so that moderation is not required for your posts to appear. (By default all posts have to be approved, which can take hours or even until the next day. This is necessary due to the high number of spam posts we get.)

April 3rd, 2011, 01:38 AM	#4
PSCanyon Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Palm Springs & Atlanta Posts: 2	Thank you very much for the info Artful Dodger. I have a place to start and look forward to seeing what I can find. Appreciate the kind remarks on this purchase. I buy what I like first and foremost (assuming the price is right) and then investigate later. Will post what I find at a later date.