Help ID SCRATCHED SIGNATURE in Oil Painting of Old Man with Pipe

This is a very nicely done portrait of an old man with a pipe. It appears to be an oil painting on canvas, laid down on stiff card stock, measuring approx. 6-3/8" W x 10-3/16" H.
It is signed (bottom right corner), but by scratching through the paint, and the lack of contrast between the colors and backing make it very difficult to see.
My best guess is that it is 2 names, 1st initial "M" (or possibly "N"), 2nd name possibly begins with "A"?
I am hoping for any kind of guidance regarding artist, and age and/or origin based on costume.
I will upload several large images of painting in and outside of frame, label on back of frame, and closeup of signature with colors and contrast altered to try and make it more visible.
As always, I look forward to everyone's input!

 

Old man smoking pipe is a popular subject...

 

I'd start by the cap. looks like traditional fisherman's; similar in Napoli
http://www.goethezeitportal.de/wiss...te/goethe-neapel/volksleben-in-neapel-ii.html

 

Agree popular subject. Here's another example with same style cap. With some quick internet research, you should be able to (roughly) date by the alphanumeric telephone number. This blog has some information that might help. After a quick read, 1920ish likely.

https://drloihjournal.blogspot.com/2017/10/the-history-of-chicago-telephone.html

Debora

 

I was thinking along the same lines; fisherman, European... Thanx for the examples.

 

Yes, the label can help with dating - assuming the painting and framing were contemporary. Odds seem pretty good, in this case, but not positive.

 

I think you should try again with sigs of the photos... maybe do one straight on, very high res and then just post it with no changes (even if you can't see it). A couple of others from different angles with the light hitting it in different ways.

I always long for one straight on shot (as you have provided), but it is not always enough.

 

Will do. I actually took a bunch of pictures under various conditions, but couldn't find any I really liked. I'll try again, and post some more here...

 

OK, here ya go! 4 unaltered closeup images, lighting from different angles: even, left, right, overhead:

 

I think we need @Aquitaine to invert that so the scratching stands out.

 

Best I could do before giving up...

 

That's pretty good, it's just a tough signature - I'm not even sure whether it is one name or two!

 

I tried and couldn't get a result worth posting - ya done good!

 

Nice job @Jivvy!!!! I spent the day at my DH's brother's funeral, so didn't have much effort left to try, but you did a great job with the contrast which I just couldn't get.......it's there but just wasn't hitting the contrast......too exhausted.

 

I wonder if this painting might be from the same artist as these attached images. also with indescipherable signatures.

 

another example from same artist

 

I wouldn't think those were by the same hand.

Debora

 

another example.
signature almost looks like MgiggFogia or MwasTamia. the paintings are bust paintings that are stylistically similar to your painting.

 

notice how the angle of how the lip holds the pipe is similar in the paintings. The signatures also start with a big M and trail with the tail of an A.

 

Also the general color styling, or "painting schtick" by which the nose is painted is similar in both paintings of the pipe smokers.