Still Life with Deco Pitcher and Perfume Bottle
Painting on canvas • Unknown; likely a skilled Amateur or Regional Student of the Mid-Century Modernist school
Style & Movement
Mid-Century Modernism; Impressionistic Realism
Medium & Technique
Oil on canvas; wet-on-wet technique with visible impasto in the highlights and thin glazing in the shadows
Creation Period
Mid-20th Century (circa 1940-1960)
Dimensions & Format
Estimated 16 x 20 inches; Portrait orientation
Subject Description
A vertical still life composition featuring a green ceramic Art Deco style pitcher with orange floral motifs, a blue glass perfume bottle or decanter, and a small brass oil lamp in the foreground. A prominent, elongated shadow of the pitcher is cast against a neutral, hazy background.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good; the canvas shows appropriate aging but maintains vibrant color. Some minor surface grime is visible.
Estimated Market Value
$200 - $450 USD
Auction Estimate
$150 - $300 USD
Provenance History
Likely private collection; no visible labels or stamps on the front. Style suggests American or European domestic origin.
Art Historical Significance
Representative of the mid-20th-century trend of domestic still life painting, blending traditional subject matter with the bold shadows and stylized forms typical of the era's decorative arts.
Notable Features
The dramatic use of the 'shadow double' on the right side of the composition adds a Surrealist undertone to an otherwise traditional still life.
Condition Issues
Visible surface dust and minor craquelure in the heavier applications of green paint; potential yellowing of the varnish layer.
Conservation Recommendations
Surface cleaning by a professional conservator; re-varnishing with a non-yellowing synthetic resin; UV-protective glass if framed.