Desert Landscape with Mountain Range (possibly West Texas or New Mexico)
Painting on paper • Signed lower left: 'De Jong' or 'De Jongh'; likely a Mid-Century American regionalist or Southwestern landscapist
Style & Movement
Mid-Century American Modernism / Southwestern Regionalism
Medium & Technique
Watercolor on paper; employs wet-on-wet and dry brush techniques with visible graphite underdrawing
Creation Period
Mid-20th Century (circa 1940-1960)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 12 x 18 inches (sight); Landscape format
Subject Description
A panoramic desert vista featuring a layered mountain range under a large, expressive sky with a central cloud formation. In the foreground, arid scrubland and low-lying vegetation typical of the American Southwest are depicted with gestural strokes.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good/Fair; visible foxing (brown spots) in the sky area and moderate paper discoloration/acidification
Estimated Market Value
$500 - $1,200 (subject to definitive artist identification)
Auction Estimate
$300 - $600
Provenance History
Unknown; appears to be in a professional, albeit older, gallery-style frame without visible external labels in the photo
Art Historical Significance
A representative example of 20th-century American watercolor traditions that moved away from strict realism toward a more atmospheric, gestural interpretation of the Western landscape.
Notable Features
Distinctive fluid handling of the sky compared to the more structural, linear mountain range; clear signature in the lower-left corner indicating a professional hand
Condition Issues
Significant foxing spots in the upper right and central sky; light yellowing of the paper suggesting it may not be mounted on acid-free backing
Conservation Recommendations
Consult a paper conservator for foxing treatment; reframe using archival-quality, acid-free mats and UV-protective glass to prevent further fading and paper decay