Autumn Forest / Autumn Landscape
Painting on canvas or board • Attributed to Richard Zoellner (American, 1908–2003) or a member of his circle. Zoellner was a known WPA-era artist and professor at the University of Alabama.
Style & Movement
Mid-Century Modern / Abstract Impressionism
Medium & Technique
Oil or heavy acrylic painting; techniques include impasto, visible modular brushwork, and wet-on-wet application with a palette knife and brush.
Creation Period
Mid-to-late 20th century (c. 1960s – 1980s)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 24 x 20 inches (estimated based on frame aspect ratio); Portrait format.
Subject Description
A vertical composition of a sun-dappled forest in autumn. The foreground shows a golden meadow leading to a cluster of vertical tree trunks. The palette is dominated by ochre, cadmium yellow, sienna, and pops of autumnal orange, reflecting light through the canopy.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good to Very Good. The paint film appears stable, though there is a Slight yellowing of varnish consistent with age.
Estimated Market Value
$800.00 – $1,800.00 USD
Auction Estimate
$500.00 – $1,200.00 USD
Provenance History
Likely acquired via a regional gallery or academic estate. Presence of a linen liner frame suggests professional mounting during the late 20th century. Named attribution 'Zoellner' points to an American regionalist/modernist collection.
Art Historical Significance
Richard Zoellner was a significant figure in Southern Modernism. This work exemplifies the transition from representational landscapes to abstract planes of color, common among academic artists of the mid-20th century exploring post-war expressionism.
Notable Features
Heavy textural application of paint; use of a linen liner frame typical of 1960s-70s gallery presentations; strong verticality in the central composition which balances the gestural brushwork.
Condition Issues
Minor surface dust and grime; possible slight craquelure in heavier impasto areas; age-related yellowing of the linen liner on the frame.
Conservation Recommendations
Professional surface cleaning; check for tension on the stretcher bars; maintain in a climate-controlled environment away from direct UV light to prevent fading of the yellows and oranges.
Collector Notes
Zoellner