Help with 2 paintings - Madonna & a Max Moreau Portrait

I haven't bought any paintings in a while (it was like going through detox-], but when I saw these at a local thrift for $50 & $40 I was bitten by the bug again!
The first is a 1950 portrait by well known artist Max Moreau.
But once home, I remembered someone here telling me paintings usually aren't covered with glass, but prints are. I did a image search & nothing the same came up, so that made me feel better - but I knew I needed to check here.
Can anyone tell me if this is a painting or a print without me having to take it out of the frame?

The second is a unsigned painting of the Madonna. I thought it might be by a Peruvian school that's known for its Madonna paintings?
It also has some light crackling & a layer of dust (or mold in Miami's humidity?) that made me believe it had some age.
But after photographing it, some of the images made me wonder if it could be a print on canvas, even though it doesn't feel like one by touch.
Also, why did they paint the back of the canvas brown?
Thank you for any help!
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

 

Artificial aging. A copy of a Cusco School painting probably.

Debora

 

Thanks, Debora. The painting is 28 x 20 - is it worth $50 as a copy? (The frame is big - 28.5 x 39 - is that worth what I paid for it? - I'm trying not to lose money anymore on art; not the best start!)

 

There's no way of knowing its value until you find a buyer. I will say that 1) the subject is generally appealing and 2) the attractive frame is a bonus.

Debora

 

Have faith in yourself Journey-the Moreau (if orig) looks good.You're being more careful now-great move amigo.

 

Thanks Debora

 

the madonna is definitely worth $300 to $500 on ebay. interesting and well done Christian themed art sells well and that has a nice look to it.

 

Gracious - i have so many no ones interested in, so I decided I need to ignore my gut feelings (I think I'm addicted to Chinese factory!) & look at the art a little harder!

 

Thanks - fingers crossed!

 

There are only two Sold examples of this work on eBay. I personally don't think that's enough to draw any conclusion as to its resale value.

This one is framed:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/2262406774...tA50LC8zSi6AAek5h4wB/zig==|tkp:Bk9SR_yvw_3tZA

This one is not:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/3158212942...BmGvntOhttSa31stKS9aD6jQ==|tkp:Bk9SR_yvw_3tZA

Debora

 

Watercolor and gouache paintings are typically mounted under glass to help protect them from damage and environmental factors.

 

Agreed with sabre, many paintings do get mounted under glass --typically pieces on paper. Board or canvas usually are not. There are of course exeptions to both situations, so it's only one piece of the puzzle.

For the Moreau piece it looks like some jagged artifacting on the lines of the right side of the face but that could be the photo quality. Can you take a photo of it very close up so we can look for print processes?

In person I would advise you to always carry a jeweler's loupe with you. That way you can quickly rule out prints done with halftone or digital processes by seeing them magnified. A good screen, block print or etching might fool at that level but at least those are usually worth more.

You can also use magnification to see if you can see texture from brush strokes, layering, pencil drawings, etc. Tilt the pieces to catch the light for any build up of paint or flash of graphite under-drawing, etc.

And go to an art museum for research!!

 

Even recent Cusco School paintings do well overhere.
St. Michael is usually a favourite because of the Baroque hat, a lot of lace, and often an arquebus, but Madonnas are a good second.

I have an old Cusco School St Michael, with the works and ott frame.

 

I used a magnifying glass and it looked like paint - almost like watercolor where 1 color blended with another.
So I decided to take the back of because it was so brittle it broke off in chunks when I tried to remove some nails to look behind it, and I was worried about the acid in it hurting the artwork canvas - especially if it was paper.
But behind the first layer was another, and behind that cardboard squares that had piled at the bottom.
When I took them out there was another cardboard covering - and when I opened it, there was a layer of newspapers.
And the date on the paper was 1951!
I didnt go any further because I wanted to check here first, so I placed the last cardboard cover back & put a piece of tape to it & the frame.
Would they have put all those layers for a print?
Did the newspaper help protect it?
It looks like it's a frame in a bigger frame, so I may take it out - see last pic and all the nails sticking out that I had to lift out with needle nose pliers -
Finally, with newspaper date + close up pics - is this a painting?
Thank you!
PS - any suggestions; leave it, take out & put in new frame, etc would be greatly appreciated!

 

Any thoughts on pile of cardboard squares in it?

 

Well I took it out if the frame & glass and it is a painting!
But I had to put in another plastic framed one I had for posters because the paper is fragile - it made a small tear on edge when I tried to see how firmly the cardboard matting around it was attached - best way to protect it?

 

Could you take a closer photo of the side of the face with the earring? The lines look strange over there still and I'm curious.

As for protection.....it needs to come off that mat if at all possible. It's full of acid, which you can tell because the bevel is so dark now.