Watercolor, or what...?

Ok..so I do have a painting or two.....but I know nothing about this one.
The back is covered so unless you want me to tear it out of the frame, here's what I have..

 

I know zero as well but both are very nice indeed.

 

It's an original watercolor. Nice frame!

 

Hi,
Can not say what you have unless back is gone. HOWEVER the frame is wonderful and I should know, I have a large one and small one exactly the same.
If it is an original you should replace that matt with a new archival one or at least treat it so it does not "burn" the art.
greg

 

I agree Greg. If it's not acid-free it will ruin the painting and if it's not cut right to the edge of the picture the unseen area won't age the same. I think there's glass over it too which presents other issues but should at least be UV inhibitive.

 

Agreed - that mat needs to leave. The frame however is really nice; is it as old as it looks, or a good repro?

 

If there is acid in the front, there is usually tons of acid behind (i.e. corrugated cardboard, masking tape, etc.) which also needs to go. However, with the costs of framing these days it often costs more to replace the non-archival materials than the artwork is worth.

 

I have a 2nd one that came with this one.
The frame above seems to be solid while the one below looks like the carving is a separate piece.
It's open on the back with the usual markings , one of which might be a name.
Funny that this one looks to have an acid free mat.

 

Hi,
Even though you think the matt is acid free,which I doubt but the backing needs replacing quickly since it is really acidic. If you can not afford to a super job, most of us are not, at least treat the problem with an antiacid.
greg

 

Ha...it occurs to me , now seeing the photo, that what I though might be a name only says Black Mat..! ===

 

Maybe!

I wonder if these are both by the same person... and also why the frames are sumilar but not identical?

 

I'll hunt for a second signature....

 

Black Matt. Wasn't that a character in an episode of Gunsmoke? LOL

 

IIRC Black Matt was an itinerant watercolorist who plied his trade in the Deep South after the abolition of slavery.

 

There was a character in old Westerns named Black Bart because he always wore black clothes and a black hat. I figured anyone my age would get the reference.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Bart_(outlaw)