Cotton Boll and Blossom
Painting on canvas panel • B. L. Taylor (Signed lower right)
Style & Movement
Mid-century American Regionalism / Decorative Folk Art
Medium & Technique
Oil on canvas; employs impasto for the cotton fiber texture and blended scumbling for the atmospheric background.
Creation Period
Circa 1970s–1980s
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 8 x 10 inches; Vertical portrait format in a wooden frame with a fabric liner.
Subject Description
A botanical study of a cotton plant featuring a fully bloomed white cotton boll, a pink flower bud, and dried autumnal leaves against a multi-toned pastel background. The composition uses a diagonal stem to create movement, symbolizing Southern agricultural heritage.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good; showing age-appropriate wear and minor surface accumulation.
Estimated Market Value
$50 - $150 USD
Auction Estimate
$30 - $80 USD
Provenance History
Acquired from the secondary market; likely originated from a regional gallery or craft boutique in the Southern United States.
Art Historical Significance
A representative example of late 20th-century decorative regionalism, focusing on agrarian motifs common in the American South. While not by a highly listed fine artist, it reflects the popularity of botanical still lifes in home decor during this era.
Notable Features
Distinctive thick impasto technique used specifically on the white cotton segments to give a three-dimensional, tactile appearance; signed 'B. L. TAYLOR' in a stylized block lettering.
Condition Issues
Minor yellowing of the varnish/surface, light dust accumulation, and small abrasions on the wooden frame edges.
Conservation Recommendations
Surface cleaning by a professional to brighten the whites of the cotton; keep away from direct sunlight and high humidity areas like kitchens to prevent warping of the canvas panel.