Seagulls over Fishing Dock (Boats Cindy, Candy-L, and Les+Ellie)
Painting on canvas, presented in a wooden frame with a linen liner • Wilfred J. Lescumbeau (signed 'W.J.L. 86' lower right; confirmed by handwritten tag in the upper right frame corner)
Style & Movement
Folk Art / Naïve Realism. This style is defined by a lack of traditional perspective, flattened architectural planes, and simplified forms.
Medium & Technique
Oil on canvas. The technique utilizes flat color planes and linear detailing, characteristic of regionalist or folk-leaning representational art.
Creation Period
1986 (dated by the artist in the lower right corner)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 16x20 inches (canvas size); Landscape format
Subject Description
A coastal harbor scene featuring three fishing boats named 'Cindy', 'Candy-L', and 'Les+Ellie' docked near multi-story clapboard buildings. Three seagulls occupy the foreground and middle ground, one perched on a piling. The scene includes modern details like a blue pickup truck and utility lines.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good. The paint surface appears stable, though there is visible particulate accumulation and minor age-related frame wear.
Estimated Market Value
$100 - $250
Auction Estimate
$75 - $150
Provenance History
Acquired from a secondary market/consignment setting (likely Florida based on the tag). The tag notes the artist was from Palm Beach Gardens, FL.
Art Historical Significance
A piece of local Americana and regional Florida folk art. It captures a specific sense of place and local marine life, serving as an example of late 20th-century hobbyist/community-level creative production.
Notable Features
Includes specific boat names and a handwritten inventory tag containing the artist's full name and location (Palm Beach Gardens, FL). Artist's monogram and date 'W.J.L. 86' are visible in the lower right.
Condition Issues
Visible surface dust and grime; minor abrasions to the dark wood frame; potential yellowing of the linen liner due to acidic material contact.
Conservation Recommendations
Light surface cleaning by a professional to remove dust; replacement of the linen liner with acid-free material to prevent further discoloration.