Seeking information about antique oil painting

Hello to all! This oil painting has been safely stored in my family's home for many years. I do not know anything about it. I am having difficulty figuring out what the initials are of the artist, as well as the date, in the lower left corner. I think the initials may be LH and the date may be 1909....but, definitely am not sure and would love some other opinions. The dimensions are, including the frame, approximately 10 1/2 inches by 13 inches. I would appreciate any comments, information! Thanks, Carman

 

Welcome, carman. We like'em big:




I'm inclined to LA on the initials.

Sort of a cross between the Duchess of Devonshire & Kate Greenaway.

 

I can't help but think that I've seen that in a chromo advertising of the period... tea or soap or such.

 

Have you ascertained that it is a painting & not a print? You might want to open it up.

 

Thanks for your message. The "finish" on this is shiny and I see ridges which seem to indicate that it is an oil painting.

 

Can you feel ridges? Also, have you looked at it under magnification? A good quality print faithfully reproduces the cues the eye uses to gauge depth. I know that from time to time we have seen a painting that turns out to be a print; I can't offhand think of a case where we've seen the reverse, so we always interrogate this matter carefully. Sometimes a painting... is just a painting.

 

I luv the extra work on the frames corners !!!!!

 

I like the way the hat has such momentum upwards
I really like things 1900-1915

 

Maybe this sort of thing?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/353143912864

 

It really needs to come out of the frame but I vote for print or chromolithograph on cardboard. I see some circular strokes that could have been applied to protect the print.

 

I had this original watercolor that I thought was pretty good:



There is a penciled note on the back saying that it was painted on Dec 22, 1901. That's the shortest day of the year. Making the grand assumption that it was painted in Toronto, where found, that's an achievement to be proud of. I searched the image online without initially finding anything. I was thinking it might be an original concept, even more impressive, but, silly me, I persisted, and eventually found this:

 

Thank you for your post. Yes, I can feel and see ridges and other highs and lows which look like paint (to me). I have been receiving some feedback suggesting that I take it out of the frame; just curious -- what will I be able to determine after taking it out of the frame?

 

Thanks for your reply. If I take it out of the frame, is there a certain way I should do that? I just want to make sure I do it correctly and do not decrease its value in any way. Also, what should I look for after taking it out of the frame?

 

Thank you for sharing this interesting story! I have tried to do a google search for my painting but so far have not found a match.

 

I saw 1999 when I first looked at it, but it's hard to tell from a photo. Be aware that a lot of art prints have brushstrokes added with a clear coat. You need to look closely to see if the brushstrokes match the direction of the paint!