A painting I like and know nothing about. But maybe you do?

Hello dear antiquers,

I have stumbled upon this painting and I liked it right away. Even such an untrained eye as mine can tell that it needs to be cleaned and conserved. I know it is old, but that's about it. The seller asks 200€ and I am just not sure it is worth it (considering additional expenses for the restoration/conserving).
Maybe some of you could help me out and tell more about the style and quality of the brushwork?

Old painting - full view by Boddah posted Mar 11, 2021 at 2:10 PM

Old painting - closer look by Boddah posted Mar 11, 2021 at 2:10 PM

 

I believe the painting is probably older than the frame. If you think you want to buy this because you love it and want to keep it forever, great. If you think you want to buy this to resell it, hmmm, maybe not so great. The price sounds high, but I'm not sure what that translates to in U.S. dollars?

While it's likely an oil painting, and pretty, we will need some close up details of the painting, and photos of the back, to know what we are looking at. How big is it?

 

There may be some writing (artist signature? location?) in the lower left corner.

 

200 EUR should be around 240 USD. The size is 45x38 cm (about 18x15 inches), measured with frame. It is indeed signed. I asked the seller for more pictures, waiting for response.
I want to buy it, because I like it, but I don't want to overpay. I also thought if I knew more about it, I could try to negotiate the price down.

 

I would think that you could use the necessary restoration to negotiate a better price. Having said that, the cost for properly restoring a painting may negate the decision to make the purchase. Do some research.

 

What did the seller tell you about it?

Debora

 

I have tried that, but sadly the seller was not convinced.
I don't mind the high price of the conservation as long as the paining is worth saving. And by that I mean that it is well done.
As a layman I think it is nicely executed, but when it comes to landscapes I am not able to tell the difference between an amateur's and a professional's work.

 

definitely clear pics in daylight of every small scribble and the back.
I don't see anything that makes it an attractive subject worth of taking any risk.

 

Still waiting for that response. The seller seems to be an older person and takes her time to answer...

You are of course right, the pictures are few and not very clear. I hope she sends me more. Thank you for your opinion though.

 

Your painting is not an amateur work and dates from the third quarter of the 19thc IMO. The frame, (silver-gilt type) is also a late 19thc frame.
I think the piece is quite reasonably priced.

 

Thank you so much, @blooey! What you wrote is really helpful

 

it could be Münchner Schule, but always better to find a name.

 

Ah. Thank you, Boddah, for clarifying this: "Both seller and I live in Munich, Germany. It is definitely a bavarian scenery, with Alps in the background." when I remarked in Comments that it might be Continental. It would have been helpful to have that information in your initial post, especially as you quoted an asking price in pounds, which I suspect led many to assume the scene was British (as I did.)

Debora

 

I quoted the price in Euro.
€ - Euro
£ - Pound Sterling

 

Thank you, hopefully I'll have more information soon.

 

Forgive me. I was just being stoopid. Of course, you did.

Debora

 

No worries! An honest mistake. I should have written about the location to avoid confusion. Didn't think about it at first

 

how much is that in Deutsch Marks ?

 

Good question!
According to Google it is about 391 DM.

 

Ok, thanks for the size. I think $200 U.S. is enough a price to pay. No idea what that would translate to in Euros?

In really looking at the painting, I think a large part of the "charm" and the reason I like it - is because it looks so dingy! I'm not sure I'd like it as well, if it were white and bright. It does look well done. I cannot tell if it is a stretched canvas or a canvas board?

Thanks for confirming the approximate date, Blooey!