Real thing or Repro of Folk artist Joseph H Davis

Discussion in 'Art' started by Kathleen Hooley, Oct 15, 2019.

  1. vetotian (1).jpg I have come upon, from an estate sale, an unsigned oil painting on board of a picture of a Victorian woman. This piece is intriguing. It is an oil on particle board. The wood looks very aged as does the picture but it seems to have a newer picture hanger, which of course could have been added later. The closest I have found to it is the American Folk Art of Joseph H. Davis in the mid 19th century around 1840. It seems to completely reproduce the content and style of his work. My research shows that particle was created in the mid 1850s but I could be incorrect. So my dilemma is I don't know if this is a very good repro or an actual Joseph H. David piece. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks, Kathie P.S. Right now this is the only picture I can upload. It keeps giving me an error message on the other pictures are too large. I don't know
     
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  2. blooey

    blooey Well-Known Member

  3. daveydempsey

    daveydempsey Moderator Moderator

    Lets put it right way up.

    vetotian (1).jpg
     
  4. blooey

    blooey Well-Known Member

    If it's on particle board (depending on what you are calling particleboard) it is almost certainly not an original.

    Face looks too practiced and sophisticated too - imho definitely not his work.
     
    Last edited: Oct 15, 2019
  5. blooey

    blooey Well-Known Member

    Snap Dave!
     
  6. Jivvy

    Jivvy the research is my favorite

    Everything I'm seeings says he worked in ink and watercolor, no mention of oils.
     
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  7. Debora

    Debora Well-Known Member

    Hate to be the bearer of bad news but... Your work is contemporary in sensibility and execution. It has nothing in common with the work of Joseph H. Davis.

    Debora

    il_fullxfull.602048704_iubl.jpg
     
  8. antidiem

    antidiem Well-Known Member

    Someone saw the work of Joseph H. Davis and copied his style. It could be old, what are you calling "particle board"?
     
  9. Aquitaine

    Aquitaine Is What It IS! But NEVER BORED!

    Exactly, begging the question, how far back does 'particle board' go????
     
  10. KikoBlueEyes

    KikoBlueEyes Well-Known Member

    "Particleboard originated in Germany. It was first produced in 1887, when Hubbard made so-called "artificial wood" from wood flour and an adhesive based on albumin, which was consolidated under high temperature and pressure. ... This type of board is known as three-layer particleboard"
     
  11. Aquitaine

    Aquitaine Is What It IS! But NEVER BORED!

    Thank you!!! Had no idea it went back that far!!!!! My mind was stuck on construction particle board!!!!:joyful::joyful::joyful::rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:
     
  12. blooey

    blooey Well-Known Member

    The nice thing about particleboard is that if it gets wet, you end up with twice as much.
     
  13. antidiem

    antidiem Well-Known Member

    BWAHAHAAHAA!!! SO TRUE!!!

    I've seen some very old masonite, so makes sense it was invented in 1887. Thanks, Kiko. :cat:
     
  14. scoutshouse

    scoutshouse Well-Known Member

    :hilarious::hilarious::hilarious: Kind of like Grapenuts :)

    Are we talking about Masonite? AKA Quartrboard, Isorel, hernit, karlit, torex, treetex and pressboard?
     
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  15. scoutshouse

    scoutshouse Well-Known Member

    Need to see the back surface to date the material...
     
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  16. IMG_3805.JPG View attachment 208588
    Hi. I've been trying to upload the pictures numerous time now. I have been following everyone's advice but have not had much success. I was able to upload this small picture of the back of the material. The picture is at full image. Thanks for your help. I'm going to keep trying to get the pictures on here



    IMG_3805.JPG back pf pic.JPG back pf pic.JPG
     
  17. scoutshouse

    scoutshouse Well-Known Member

    Does it have a texture, something like this?
    [​IMG]

    Are you uploading from your phone?
     
    Christmasjoy likes this.

  18. No the texture is different. I finally was able to figure it out. I just posted a new pic of the back. Thanks for your help
     
  19. scoutshouse

    scoutshouse Well-Known Member

    Cool!

    It doesn't look like paper, so i think you can rule out early board products.

    Higher density hardboard was developed around 1920s using wood fibers.

    It looks relatively smooth, right?

    Maybe @verybrad has more experience...?

    Dont quote me on any of this - I'm no expert! Masonite is just a fun topic for me, as my cousins live in Ukiah, CA.

    I always called it "Ukiah, The Masonite Capitol of the World!" because of the mountains of redwood sawdust right next to the main highway.
     
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