Featured Old painting

Hi. I have had this old painting for years. I cannot find a signature. It is quite large. It is painted on stretched canvas with no backing. Would anyone have an idea of possible artist please? Or where I might look to try to identify it.

 

Have you ever taken it out of the frame? Sometimes the sig is obscured by the frame recess.

 

Thank you the suggestion. I've just had a look and it's very solidly nailed from both sides, with wedges of wood chocked in. I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be able to replace the frame if I managed to get it off. Do you think it would still be worth trying in that case?

 

Hi and WELCOME to the Forum! Is it behind glass? It just looks to me like it might be! And is it possible for us to see the whole back of the picture.....frame and all since you don't think you could get it out of the frame??? That can often tell some of us some things! Thanks!!

 

Hi. It's not behind glass. I think that inner section should be able to be pushed out of the frame. I can lever it up a bit but can't loosen it enough to pop out. And it won't budge pushing it from the front.

 

Welcome to the forum, Tess.
It is a very nice painting, but without a signature it can be difficult to find the artist. Many artists painted in this style.

 

Thank you. Hopefully I'll be able remove the frame, but I won't be at all surprised to find it unsigned if I do. It may end up another one in the mystery pile I'm afraid.

 

Hi Tess! Welcome!

Was it rolled up before being framed? It's a nice painting. Has a souvenir of Vietnam look to it, but I'm not going to say that's exactly what it is because I've never researched boats. The frame looks to be late 1960s to 1970s.

 

Any names on boats or sails? Sometimes artist would sign there. Can't tell by the picture.

 

I was wondering that, too, due to the vertical lines that can be seen in the image.

 

Unfortunately I can't find any names anywhere at all.

 

Hi. I don't think it has been rolled. The vertical lines near edges are where the canvas has been resting against the timber inserts behind over the years. It has had quite a hard life, and feels rather old.

 

I am seeing vertical lines in the middle, too. But maybe those are reflections on the glass.

 

Actually there is no glass. So perhaps it has been rolled at some stage. When I came by it, it was in that frame, but was already quite old. Would having been rolled signify anything?

 

The only other possible clue I have to its origin is another small painting it came with. It' a landscape and had very faint lettering stamped on the back of canvas. I could just make out the name of a gallery in London. That was some years ago, and the lettering is no longer legible. Unfortunately I didn't make a note of the gallery name at the time, as I assumed it would remain legible. The interesting thing about this small landscape is what looks like a stab through the canvas in a fit of passion!

 

Hi Tess,
Look at the lettering on the back of the smaller painting with a black light. It may surprise you and appear.
greg

 

Thanks Greg. I'll have to find it in the storeroom. An unenviable task, but I do have a uv light so will have a search.

 

I've had a look with black light but can only see London, W. now. I'll just post a picture of the 'stabbed' painting that I got at the same time, though I'm sure they're not the same artist.

 

Can you post a close-up of the canvas on the back and the nails. The color and texture can be a clue to the age of the painting as well as the nails.