Summer Residence (First in Series)
Painting on canvas or panel • Mary Swann
Style & Movement
Modern American Impressionism / Plein Air Realism
Medium & Technique
Oil or heavy-body acrylic paint; applied with expressive brushwork, alla prima technique, and impasto elements on the foliage
Creation Period
1986
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 18 x 12 inches; Vertical Portrait format
Subject Description
A sun-drenched suburban or rural landscape featuring a multi-story house partially obscured by lush green trees. The composition includes a prominent lawn in the foreground with diagonal shadows suggesting late afternoon light, a garden bed to the right, and a vehicle parked near the side entrance. The narrative evokes a sense of domestic tranquility and seasonal warmth.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good; the piece appears structurally sound with vibrant color retention, though some edge wear is visible.
Estimated Market Value
$500 - $1,200 (Adjustable based on regional demand and artist's local auction record)
Auction Estimate
$300 - $700
Provenance History
Private collection, acquired from the artist or through initial sale in 1986. Part of a documented set of three related works.
Art Historical Significance
Representational of the mid-1980s American interest in regionalism and plein air painting. As the 'first in a series of three,' it signifies a serial study of light and form, a practice rooted in the traditions of Monet and later American landscape painters. Its value is heightened when kept with the complete series.
Notable Features
Bold use of high-contrast lighting; distinctive 'broken' brushstrokes in the lawn; an inscription on the reverse likely confirms its status as No. 1 in a series of three.
Condition Issues
Visible rubbing and minor paint loss along the top and bottom edges; possible light surface grime consistent with age; lacks a protective frame which exposes the substrate edges.
Conservation Recommendations
Surface cleaning by a professional to remove dust; humidity-controlled environment; framing in a gallery-style floater frame or traditional gilt frame to protect the edges.
Collector Notes
First in a series of three by Mary Swann 1986