Boys Playing Soccer
Original painting on canvas • Signed 'Brian H...' (possibly Brian Hewitt or a similar contemporary artist working in an impressionistic style)
Style & Movement
Contemporary Impressionism / Figurative Realism
Medium & Technique
Oil or acrylic on canvas using painterly, expressive brushwork with visible impasto and wet-on-wet techniques
Creation Period
Late 20th century to early 21st century (circa 1990-2010)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 18 x 24 inches; Landscape format
Subject Description
A dynamic depiction of two young boys engaged in a soccer match. The foreground focuses on the action of kicking a soccer ball, with emphasis on movement through diagonal compositional lines and blurred brushstrokes in the background.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good; the paint layer appears stable, though there is visible surface dust and some signs of age to the matting and frame
Estimated Market Value
$300 - $700 USD
Auction Estimate
$150 - $400 USD
Provenance History
Likely acquired from a local gallery or art fair; currently bears an auction tag suggesting a secondary market or estate sale context
Art Historical Significance
A representative example of modern figurative genre painting, capturing everyday suburban life and athletic energy in a style popularized by 20th-century American illustrators and impressionists.
Notable Features
Bold use of color saturation in the clothing; energetic, 'alla prima' application of paint; prominent artist signature in the lower right corner with a copyright symbol
Condition Issues
Possible minor yellowing of the varnish (if present); some rippling of the canvas support; surface abrasions near the edges from the frame
Conservation Recommendations
Professional cleaning to remove surface dust; reframing with acid-free matting and UV-protective glass if preserved as a work on paper/board; stable humidity and temperature control