Still Life with Watermelon, Flowers and Teacup
Oil painting on canvas • Signed 'Paul Blanchflower' (or similar script, 1966), indicating a mid-20th-century post-war expressionist still-life painter.
Style & Movement
Mid-Century Expressionism / Post-Impressionism with heavy impasto techniques
Medium & Technique
Heavy impasto oil paint applied with a palette knife and brush, creating highly textured, raised surfaces with visible expressive strokes.
Creation Period
Dated 1966 in the lower right corner
Dimensions & Format
Estimated medium format, approximately 24 x 30 inches, landscape orientation
Subject Description
A vibrant still life featuring a sliced watermelon, a blue teacup, scattered cherries, a dark vase with white starburst flowers, and a stylized chair in the background, set against a dynamic yellow and dark contrasting backdrop.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Very Good. The heavy impasto is stable, with rich vibrant colors and minimal signs of environmental degradation.
Estimated Market Value
$1,500 - $3,000
Auction Estimate
$800 - $1,200
Provenance History
Acquired through the secondary art market, retaining its period-appropriate distressed silver-gilt decorative frame.
Art Historical Significance
Exemplifies the mid-20th-century exploration of texture and bold color palettes in still-life painting, bridging traditional subject matter with expressive, modern application.
Notable Features
Extremely thick, sculptural palette-knife impasto technique giving a three-dimensional quality to the flowers and tabletop elements, accompanied by a clearly legible date '66' and signature.
Condition Issues
Minor surface dust accumulation within the deep crevices of the heavy impasto; frame shows minor edge wear consistent with age.
Conservation Recommendations
Dust gently with a soft, dry artist's brush. Maintain stable indoor humidity and temperature. Avoid direct sunlight.