Floral Still Life
Painting on canvas • Signed 'C. Faria'. Likely an artist specializing in mid-century commercial or decorative European/American gallery art.
Style & Movement
Mid-century Impressionism / Transitional Realism
Medium & Technique
Oil on canvas featuring thick impasto brushwork, wet-on-wet application, and palette knife techniques.
Creation Period
Mid-20th Century (circa 1950s-1970s)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 20 x 24 inches (estimated based on framing scale); Landscape orientation.
Subject Description
A vibrant floral still life displaying flowers with heavy texture. The composition utilizes a dark, moody background to emphasize the bright yellows and whites of the petals, common in neo-rococo or decorative floral styles.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Fair to Good. Visible accumulation of dust, surface grime, and minor craquelure throughout the paint layers.
Estimated Market Value
$150 - $400 USD
Auction Estimate
$100 - $250 USD
Provenance History
Unknown; likely acquired through a commercial art gallery or boutique decor shop in the mid-to-late 20th century.
Art Historical Significance
Representative of the mid-20th-century market for decorative oil paintings. While not a piece of major institutional importance, it reflects the popularization of 'Parisian' school impasto techniques for the domestic middle-class market.
Notable Features
Distinctive yellow impasto signature in the lower-left or right quadrant. Heavy use of palette knife work gives the painting a three-dimensional tactile quality.
Condition Issues
Significant surface dust, possible yellowing of old varnish, and minor abrasions near the frame edge. The linen liner of the frame shows signs of aging/staining.
Conservation Recommendations
Professional surface cleaning to remove dust and grime. Re-varnishing with a non-yellowing synthetic resin following cleaning. Keep in a humidity-controlled environment away from direct sunlight.
Collector Notes
Artist