Group in a Park (or Figures by a Pool)
Painting on paper or board, likely framed with a mat • In the manner of Afro Basaldella or the New School of Figurative Abstraction; shows influence of Jean Dubuffet's Art Brut.
Style & Movement
Mid-Century Modern / Lyrical Abstraction / Art Brut. The style balances figurative subjects with heavily textured, expressive surfaces.
Medium & Technique
Mixed media, likely including oil pastel, wax crayon, or tempera with heavy impasto and sgraffito. The technique involves layering thick pigment and scraping back to reveal underlying colors.
Creation Period
Mid-20th Century, circa 1950-1965
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 24 x 18 inches; Portrait orientation.
Subject Description
A vertical composition of numerous simplified human figures and animals (possibly dogs). The figures are arranged in a dense, rhythmic pattern, suggesting a crowded public space, a pool side, or a bath house. The iconography emphasizes community and collective movement over individual detail.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good. The surface shows a complex texture intended by the artist, but there is noticeable light reflection suggesting it is behind glass.
Estimated Market Value
$1,200 - $3,500 (dependent on confirmation of artist signature)
Auction Estimate
$800 - $1,500
Provenance History
Unknown; the matting suggests a mid-to-late 20th-century framing, likely acquired through a regional gallery or private estate in the mid-century period.
Art Historical Significance
The work reflects the post-war shift toward 'informel' art and the rejection of traditional academic realism. It represents the mid-century fascination with texture as a primary means of expression, common in both European and American avant-garde circles of the 1950s.
Notable Features
The most striking feature is the 'scumbled' texture where white and light blue pigments are dragged over dark undertones, creating a 'ghostly' or fresco-like appearance.
Condition Issues
Potential surface cracking due to the thickness of the impasto; possible UV fading of the pink and blue pigments; minor frame wear.
Conservation Recommendations
Should be kept under UV-protective glass. Avoid high humidity which may affect the stability of the heavy media layers. A professional assessment for pigment flaking is recommended.