Foal in a Sunlit Field
Original painting on canvas board or textured panel • Signed 'Lynda' (lower right); likely an amateur or regional hobbyist artist.
Style & Movement
Contemporary Western Folk Art / Representational Realism
Medium & Technique
Oil or acrylic on board/canvas; primarily wet-on-wet technique with some impasto in the fence posts and horse's mane. Features expressive, blended brushwork in the background.
Creation Period
Late 20th Century (circa 1970-1990)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 8 x 10 inches; Portrait orientation
Subject Description
The painting depicts a young chestnut foal with a light-colored mane and tail, standing in a golden-hued pasture. In the foreground, a weathered barbed-wire fence with rustic wooden posts crosses the composition diagonally. The warm, yellow-orange sky suggests a sunset or sunrise atmosphere, emphasizing a nostalgic, rural theme.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Fair; visible vertical crack or scratch through the center-top of the image and some surface grime/yellowing of the varnish.
Estimated Market Value
$30 - $75 USD
Auction Estimate
$20 - $50 USD
Provenance History
Unknown private collection; likely acquired from a local art fair, craft gallery, or regional estate sale.
Art Historical Significance
Low art historical significance; the work is a typical example of late 20th-century decorative hobby art, focusing on popular equestrian themes common in North American suburban and rural decor.
Notable Features
Features a distinctive 'Lynda' signature in brown script; housed in a double-matted period frame with a velvet-style inset and weathered wood outer moulding characteristic of the 1970s and 80s.
Condition Issues
Prominent vertical scratch or hairline crack in the upper center of the paint layer; possible minor paint loss near the edges of the frame; aged varnish.
Conservation Recommendations
Surface cleaning of the paint layer; stabilizing the central scratch/crack; reframing with acid-free materials; avoid direct sunlight to prevent further fading of the warm pigments.