Cotton Plant Study
Painting on canvas board • B.L. Taylor (Signature visible in lower right quadrant)
Style & Movement
Regionalist Folk Art / Botanical Realism
Medium & Technique
Oil on canvas; wet-on-wet technique with light impasto on the white cotton fibers
Creation Period
Mid-to-late 20th Century (circa 1960-1980)
Dimensions & Format
Estimated 8x10 inches (sight size); Portrait format mounted in a tiered wooden frame with linen liner.
Subject Description
A botanical depiction of a cotton branch featuring a mature white boll, unopened buds, and a pink bloom against a soft, variegated pastel background of blue, peach, and cream tones.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good; the painting shows age-appropriate darkening of the varnish and minor surface dust.
Estimated Market Value
$50 - $150 USD
Auction Estimate
$30 - $80 USD
Provenance History
Likely a private purchase from a regional art fair or local gallery; common in the American South.
Art Historical Significance
Represents a typical example of mid-century American regional hobbyist or decorative art, reflecting the cultural identity of the agrarian South through botanical documentation.
Notable Features
The textured application of white paint to simulate the tactile quality of cotton fibers; clearly legible signature; original period-appropriate 'distressed' wood framing.
Condition Issues
Mild yellowing of the linen liner on the frame; minor abrasions to the wooden frame edges; light surface grime on the paint layer.
Conservation Recommendations
Surface cleaning by a professional to brighten colors; replacement of the aged linen liner; display in a climate-controlled environment away from direct UV light.