Seascape with Schooner/Clipper Signed Oil on Canvas

Large, at 24 x 48 - nice looking, but some large scaled craquelure

But can't find artist - is it Rona B?? or Ronab?

 

It appears to be a reasonably competent picture of a mid 19th C clippper (not a schooner) on a broad reach under main courses and topsails only.

The subject is one that has been a favourite for a century and more, so it's hard to date but probably no earlier than mid 20th C and also a popular theme with the decor painting factories. The back of the canvas just has framing notes.

 

Thanks, AF - what about the sig?
It seems to match up with the Ronab, in a weird way...

 

Sorry, no idea.

 

Made in Mexico... hmmm...
Can't find anything on Ronab and/or variations...
I wonder when "Hecho en Mexico" began to be used, or required... might help with date...
A good puzzle. To be continued!

 

I'm not sure I can use the frame to date it - may have nothing to do with the place it was painted. I'm guessing it was painted in 1972.

 

Ahhhhhhhhhhhh, okay, Scout... you're right... bad assumption on my part.

 

Ronaro? With those numbers on the back, it looks suspiciously like a factory painting.

 

Sure could be, Brad.

 

There is an online gallery selling ship paintings by Stephen Renard that are just signed Renard. I know nothing about him other than that but there is a bio so maybe it's someone to look at.

I have quite a few factory type paintings that I've had quite a few years and some are fairly competently painted. They came from those mass art sales held every so often in hotels. They usually had the low end hotel art paintings for under $100 but they also had the decorator paintings that were quite a step up. I think they are all signed and I've always assumed it was a made up person. It will certainly make art hard to attribute in the future.

This is one of the factory paintings. I actually have another ship painting that is similar also but can't say if it's factory or not.

 

That one looks like a J class but it is missing the racing number on the sail. Generic America's Cup class yacht of the 1930s.

 

Hi SIS -

Thanks so much for the feedback, everyone. I found lots of results on Renard on FindArt, but noticed they were all for well known ships in World Cup yacht races. Very high prices at auction.

Then checked the signature, and clearly, it's not a match...

 

Didn't see if anyone suggested "Renaro"?

 

I don't want to say it, but if you can't read the signature yet it looks like you should, it's probably a mass produced painting.

Are those figures and the name Rona b written on the back of the canvas with a marker? That would be a huge clue that it's a factory painting

 

Yeah - unless I can read sig, I'm stuck... but we'll do our best...

Wish us luck!

 

After all that, the clients decided they wanted to keep the painting... It's too bad, as I spent company time researching it rehanging it, etc. but happens sometimes.