Figures with Animal and Rider
Mixed media painting on coarse fabric or textile support • Unidentified regional or folk artist, possibly Middle Eastern or North African modern vernacular style
Style & Movement
Folk Art / Modern Naïve Art / Regional Expressionism
Medium & Technique
Mixed media, likely tempera or thick pigment with potential plaster or gesso base on unprimed woven fabric; flat planes, primitive application, and visible texture
Creation Period
Mid to late 20th century, c. 1970s (indicated by partial signature/date marks)
Dimensions & Format
Estimated medium format, approximately 24 x 30 inches, landscape orientation
Subject Description
The composition depicts three standing figures in white robes in the foreground with stylized mask-like faces, accompanied by a figure interacting with a mounted animal (horse or camel) rendered in vivid blocks of red, green, and orange against a muted background.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Fair; visible creasing, warping of the fabric support, surface grime, pigment flaking, and frayed edges
Estimated Market Value
$300 - $800
Auction Estimate
$200 - $500
Provenance History
Unknown private collection; likely acquired directly from an artist or local market, displaying raw unmounted textile edges indicative of traditional folk craftsmanship
Art Historical Significance
Representative of regional mid-century folk and naïve art traditions, reflecting vernacular cultural storytelling and localized aesthetic techniques outside the Western academic canon
Notable Features
Distinctive mask-like facial features of the foreground figures, vibrant block coloring of the animal and rider, unprimed textile support, and visible handwritten Arabic or regional alphanumeric inscription near the upper right corner
Condition Issues
Significant creasing and folds across the fabric, surface dust accumulation, edge fraying, potential pigment stabilization issues, and lack of rigid backing or stretcher frame
Conservation Recommendations
Professional cleaning to remove surface particulate matter, humidification and flattening to reduce fabric creases, and proper mounting on an acid-free archival support with museum-grade framing