Vase of Flowers (Nature Morte aux Fleurs)
Painting on canvas • Urame (Signed lower left); likely a mid-century European school painter, possibly French or Eastern European working in a post-impressionist manner.
Style & Movement
Post-Impressionism / Expressionism
Medium & Technique
Oil on canvas, featuring impasto brushwork and wet-on-wet technique characteristic of mid-century expressionistic still lifes.
Creation Period
Circa 1940s–1950s
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 24 x 12 inches (61 x 30.5 cm); portrait format.
Subject Description
A vertical still life composition featuring a bouquet of red and white flowers (possibly roses and gladioli) in a blue and white patterned ceramic vase. The background is divided by a dark, angled drapery or screen against a neutral wall. The brushstrokes are thick and gestural, prioritizing mood and texture over botanical accuracy.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good; the painting shows overall stability, though age-related surface darkening and frame rubbing are present.
Estimated Market Value
$500 - $1,200 (Fair Market Value based on secondary decorative art markets for identified but mid-tier regional artists).
Auction Estimate
$300 - $600
Provenance History
Unknown private collection; the signature 'Urame' suggests a regional European artist. No visible auction or gallery stickers on the front face.
Art Historical Significance
The work reflects the mid-20th-century trend of domestic still lifes that synthesized the color theories of the Fauves with the structural concerns of late Impressionism. While likely a minor master or decorative painter, the work demonstrates high technical competence in handling paint volume.
Notable Features
Distinctive elongated vertical format; expressive impasto in the petals of the white flowers; strong use of chiaroscuro in the vase shadows; clear cursive signature in the lower left corner.
Condition Issues
Visible craquelure consistent with age, minor surface grime, and yellowing of the varnish. Some minor paint loss may be present at the extreme edges near the rabbet of the frame.
Conservation Recommendations
Surface cleaning by a professional conservator to remove grime; revarnishing with a non-yellowing synthetic resin; maintain a stable environment with 45-55% humidity to prevent further cracking.