Still Life with Red Roses
Painting on canvas (likely mounted on board or within a traditional stretcher) • Signed (lower left) 'Louise Meid' or 'Louise Field'. Likely an accomplished regional artist or semi-professional painter in the Impressionist tradition.
Style & Movement
Post-Impressionism / Expressionistic Still Life; characterized by a focus on color and light through gestural brushstrokes rather than precise botanical detail.
Medium & Technique
Oil on canvas; features painterly impasto, loose brushwork, and wet-on-wet blending to create texture and depth in the petals and background.
Creation Period
Mid to late 20th Century (approximately 1960-1980 based on style and frame construction)
Dimensions & Format
Estimated 18 x 24 inches (canvas size); Landscape format within a large decorative wooden frame with linen liner.
Subject Description
A dense cluster of red roses in various stages of bloom arranged in a dark, possibly metallic or ceramic bowl. The composition includes fallen roses on a light surface to the left, set against a warm, ochre-toned background with dramatic chiaroscuro on the right.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good; the paint film appears stable, though there is visible surface grime and slight yellowing of the varnish typical of age.
Estimated Market Value
$200 - $450 USD
Auction Estimate
$150 - $300 USD
Provenance History
Acquired via secondary market (eBay listing shown). Likely formerly held in a private collection in North America based on the framing style and artist name.
Art Historical Significance
A representative example of late 20th-century floral still life painting. While not by a major modern master, it demonstrates a strong technical grasp of light and the 'Grand Manner' of floral arrangement popularized in the 19th-century French salons.
Notable Features
Heavy decorative gold-bordered frame with a recessed linen mat; the signature is prominently placed in the lower-left corner; use of high-contrast lighting to create a moody, atmospheric aesthetic.
Condition Issues
Visible dust accumulation; possible craquelure beginning in the thicker red impasto areas; some abrasions to the outer frame edges; the linen liner shows mild discoloration/foxing.
Conservation Recommendations
Light professional surface cleaning; re-varnishing with a high-quality UV-resistant varnish; check for structural stability of the canvas tension.