Rolling Hills and Farmstead
Painting on canvas (likely cotton duck) • Mary Swann
Style & Movement
Contemporary Plein Air / Modern Impressionism
Medium & Technique
Oil or heavy-bodied acrylic; features Alla Prima application with visible impasto and broad brushstrokes
Creation Period
1994 (confirmed by owner data and inscription/initials)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 16 x 20 inches; Landscape orientation
Subject Description
A rural landscape featuring a cluster of farm buildings including a red barn and white farmhouse nestled between rolling hills. The composition uses a high horizon line and tiered geography to create depth. The lighting suggests late afternoon, with ochre fields in the foreground contrasting against lush green pastures.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good; showing minor surface dirt consistent with age and typical canvas tension
Estimated Market Value
$400 - $800
Auction Estimate
$250 - $500
Provenance History
Likely acquired directly from the artist or through a regional gallery in the mid-1990s; currently in a private collection
Art Historical Significance
A representative example of late 20th-century regional American landscape painting, reflecting a transition between traditional representationalism and mid-century expressive color theory.
Notable Features
Features the artist's initials in the lower-left corner; housed in a minimalist natural wood strip frame characteristic of gallery presentations from the 1990s.
Condition Issues
Minor sagging in the bottom left corner; potential light surface accumulation of dust; thin frame provides minimal structural support but appears stable.
Conservation Recommendations
Light surface cleaning; check stretcher keys for tension; maintain in a temperature-controlled environment away from direct UV sunlight.
Collector Notes
Mary Swann 1994