Second in the Series (Landscape with House)
Painting on gallery-wrapped canvas • Mary Swann
Style & Movement
Contemporary Expressionist Landscape / Folk Art-inspired Modernism
Medium & Technique
Acrylic on canvas, utilizing localized impasto and broad, expressive brushwork. The technique demonstrates a flat application of color in some areas contrasted with thick, textured strokes in others.
Creation Period
1986
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 24 x 18 inches; Portrait orientation
Subject Description
A rural or suburban landscape featuring a two-story house with a prominent porch and lawn. The composition is framed by a large dark blue vertical element on the right (possibly a building or interior frame) and organic branches in the foreground. It employs a high-contrast palette and simplified architectural forms.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Fair; the painting shows significant mechanical damage and surface loss.
Estimated Market Value
USD $150 - $400
Auction Estimate
USD $100 - $300
Provenance History
Private collection. Per owner documentation, it is the second work in a series created in 1986. Likely held in a domestic setting since creation.
Art Historical Significance
A representative example of mid-to-late 20th-century regional American expressionism. The work reflects the shift toward personal, diaristic painting series and the rejection of high-finish academic styles in favor of emotional immediacy.
Notable Features
Hand-painted inscription at the bottom left confirming the artist and date. The use of a 'series' format suggests this was part of an intentional narrative or stylistic study by the artist.
Condition Issues
Widespread paint loss (flaking/scaling), particularly visible on the right blue vertical element and the upper right corner. Significant craquelure and surface abrasions are present, suggesting past exposure to fluctuating humidity or poor adhesion to the substrate.
Conservation Recommendations
Immediate stabilization of the paint layer through consolidation to prevent further flaking. The work should be kept in a climate-controlled environment with stable humidity. Professional framing with a spacer would protect the edges from further abrasion.
Collector Notes
Second in the series by Mary Swann 1986