Help with Possible Value - Florent Willems

Attached are photos of a painting that was acquired by my late grandfather, Clem Gretter, in the 1930's at a second hand shop in either Chicago or New York city. He, being an artist and illustrator himself, was looking for frames to frame his own artwork and thought it was of value. It's been in our family ever since.

The painting is about 14" x 12" oil on on wood panel with beveled edges, of a woman seated in an arbor, with flowers beside her, a letter in one hand and a white dove resting on her shoulder.

It is signed in the lower right-hand corner Florent Willems. The back has an old print out from somewhere about the artist, which I believe my grandfather affixed when he researched it many years ago.

Being over 100 years old there are some small chips, and scrapes and the painting is dirty from hanging on the walls for years.

We are interested in the value and to determine next steps, whether worth the cost of cleaning, restoration, and a proper appraisal, which seems to be in the $500 range.

Thanks!

 

Did you forget your photographs, @AnniesAttic?

Debora

 

I tried but could not grab the Gallery pic.....likely on private

 

From gallery

 

just because ...
https://www.google.com/search?q="Fl...ate=ive&vld=cid:320fe1fd,vid:OlQwxuli21A,st:0

 

The condition does appear to be a bit rough. What is your intention -- to preserve it or to sell it?

Debora

 

There are some by Willems that sold over the years through Liveauctioneers. They may give an idea of possible values.

https://www.liveauctioneers.com/search/?keyword=florent willems&status=online

 

Willems seems to have been quite prolific. Invaluable.com has a list of auction estimates for his work. As above.

https://www.invaluable.com/artist/w...oU3C2ZnErGgJQJ6xSECwo6eCvZASB0bJrDYAqRwqWp0mV

Debora

 

Invaluable in 2025:

Christie's in 2014:

 

Based on Invaluable, prices aren't going in the right direction for Florent's paintings ...

 

So interesting that your painting, like Leighton's 'Flaming June', depicts oleander for its symbolism. From that, the torn rose and the wounded dove, we know her billet-doux did not contain happy news.

Debora

 

Probably preserve it, and keep in the family, but first need to figure approximate value to see if it's worth having an actual appraisal done. No sense spending $100s if the value is about the same

 

Someone will definitely want that painting. I think the image is especially nice with the dove, etc. If you don't keep, maybe sell as-is and let the new owner restore?

 

If your intention is to keep it, what is the purpose of an appraisal? And, if your intention is to sell it, you won't need an appraisal because the auction house will set a starting price for it. Do keep in mind that yours is a less elaborate composition by the prolific artist, the condition is a bit rough and it's missing its period frame. No matter how charming a scene, the value is likely to fall in the lower range of the examples provided above.

Debora

 

Would you be kind enough to post a photograph of the back please?

Debora

 

it's in the Gallery............ sigh