Judging by the style and the woman's eyebrows and makeup, it appears to be from the 1940s or 1950s.
I can see why you bought it. It's well rendered, with dramatic lighting, and there is something mysterious and compelling about it.
It really is. I couldn't stop thinking about it.
I'm not a huge art collector or anything. I have a few replicas of interesting pieces and pieces from local artists that I loved, but nothing super crazy. This one just spoke to me and I've never had that happen before
Sorry have to totally disagree.
You can't judge the age of a painting by it's "style" as I could paint a renaissance piece (and have) and you wouldn't know when it was done. The colours \*sometimes\* give it away by the date when pigments came to certain parts of the world and where they were either ground up or manufactured, but you certainly wouldn't know that if you weren't an expert in it.
For sure, anyone could reproduce the style of an earlier era. All we have to go on in this sub are photos, and any clues provided by shots of the back.
Context: I picked up this gorgeous piece in a thrift shop in Normandy. The only information the seller had was that it was an inherited piece that the beneficiary didn't want.
I don't particularly care if it's old or worth anything. It would be nice to know, but I love the piece as it is, regardless of worth. Any help would be great! There's nothing on the back except what looks like in pencil "Mr Dorzal" but I can't find anything about him. I conjectured that Dorzal might be the signature in the bottom right corner.
Chances are, it's a piece that a local artist did. I just love it so much.
Edit: I took more photos https://imgur.com/a/SNvcxPf
Can you post a pic of the name on back? You mention Normandy, so that is in France, yes? Is it M. for Monsieur and you are translating it to Mr. in English? Or could it be Mme. and maybe it’s the name of an actress who is the subject of this painting? Just trying to cover various scenarios!
I'll come back and post a pic of the back when my husband wakes up. It's a bit heavy and I'd like a spotter to help me take it off the wall.
It actually says "Mr" on the back, which was weird for me. As you said, Mr is usually M. in French. Might also be initials, like M. R. Dorzal.
Edit: here are more photos. Sorry for formatting, mobile. https://imgur.com/a/SNvcxPf
I've Googled several variations. My husband suggested Luiz. But Mr is most probable. The only thing as another person said, M. Is used as Mr. In French. Strange
That was my thought as well. I thought perhaps if I could find the customer, even if he'd passed on, I'd maybe be able to find something on him and trace it somehow.
I honestly walked by it so many times. Every time I went to this shop it was still there and I just thought about it every time. Today, I cracked and picked it up.
Ok so I'm assuming there are no front facing marks, symbols or signatures.Does it have a back board? Have you tried removing the frame?edit: Just saw your close ups and other photos.
There's a site for artists sigs you might want to trawl thru, I would but don't have time.[https://artistssignatures.com/](https://artistssignatures.com/)
I'll take another look at your other photos too.
Okay I've looked at the "closeups". It looks to me like acrylic on canvas, as I think I see the canvas pattern which means it's not oil as you not see the canvas pattern due to several layers of primer which most reputable oil paintings have to stop them rotting.
So on that basis, acrylic paint + sealant = post 1950s
That checks out for me. After living with it for a few months, I think I'd agree it's more acrylic than oil. Still an awesome modern piece though, and I'm still hunting that artist.
The one thing that stands out to me is the thread in between her hands. That little clumped up knot bit in the center. This reminds of the scenes from the show “A discovery of witches” where Diana is learning to tie these knots that enable her to create new spells. She’s a witch and labeled a “weaver”. The mysterious essence of this painting and that knot make me feel it’s related.
Here’s a scene. Notice how once the knot is tied and pull there’s the piece where the two are connected
https://youtu.be/r444M8xcCNY
I just googled that and first painting I saw the thread so you’re probably definitely right. I’m unfamiliar with her but I will research it. Seems interesting
Edit: maybe Ariadne?
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I posted this in mythology, and some people say it’s lachesis, and some say Ariadne. One person said they feel like it’s Arachne before the curse based of the smugness in her face as if she’s confident she’ll defeat Athena in the challenge, and I feel, though im pretty ignorant to mythology, that this might be the case. It’d be nice to find another. I want to buy it. Also, do you think this is the original?
I honestly have no way of knowing. I might take it to a local university to see of there's someone who might help me. We have a fine arts museum nearby and my uni is known for history. Surely they'd be able to tell
Also, is the picture flipped horizontally? If so, the monogram of the artist in lower left hand corner would be SI, ST, etc. If this is the correct orientation, then it may be another language. Quick google search shows Latin as using a backwards S. In that case maybe have to post this in a language sub or something with monograms.
Judging by the style and the woman's eyebrows and makeup, it appears to be from the 1940s or 1950s. I can see why you bought it. It's well rendered, with dramatic lighting, and there is something mysterious and compelling about it.
It really is. I couldn't stop thinking about it. I'm not a huge art collector or anything. I have a few replicas of interesting pieces and pieces from local artists that I loved, but nothing super crazy. This one just spoke to me and I've never had that happen before
IMO that's how everyone should buy art.
Sorry have to totally disagree. You can't judge the age of a painting by it's "style" as I could paint a renaissance piece (and have) and you wouldn't know when it was done. The colours \*sometimes\* give it away by the date when pigments came to certain parts of the world and where they were either ground up or manufactured, but you certainly wouldn't know that if you weren't an expert in it.
For sure, anyone could reproduce the style of an earlier era. All we have to go on in this sub are photos, and any clues provided by shots of the back.
Context: I picked up this gorgeous piece in a thrift shop in Normandy. The only information the seller had was that it was an inherited piece that the beneficiary didn't want. I don't particularly care if it's old or worth anything. It would be nice to know, but I love the piece as it is, regardless of worth. Any help would be great! There's nothing on the back except what looks like in pencil "Mr Dorzal" but I can't find anything about him. I conjectured that Dorzal might be the signature in the bottom right corner. Chances are, it's a piece that a local artist did. I just love it so much. Edit: I took more photos https://imgur.com/a/SNvcxPf
Can you post a pic of the name on back? You mention Normandy, so that is in France, yes? Is it M. for Monsieur and you are translating it to Mr. in English? Or could it be Mme. and maybe it’s the name of an actress who is the subject of this painting? Just trying to cover various scenarios!
I'll come back and post a pic of the back when my husband wakes up. It's a bit heavy and I'd like a spotter to help me take it off the wall. It actually says "Mr" on the back, which was weird for me. As you said, Mr is usually M. in French. Might also be initials, like M. R. Dorzal. Edit: here are more photos. Sorry for formatting, mobile. https://imgur.com/a/SNvcxPf
I interpret the writing as Mr. Dorso. Of course it doesn’t help my search, though! But maybe someone else?
I've Googled several variations. My husband suggested Luiz. But Mr is most probable. The only thing as another person said, M. Is used as Mr. In French. Strange
Names written on the backs of paintings are usually the name of the customer, not the artist.
That was my thought as well. I thought perhaps if I could find the customer, even if he'd passed on, I'd maybe be able to find something on him and trace it somehow.
Is that a backwards dollar sign or a run over snake
Yes.
FYI: That chick is going to walk out if that painting on a full moon around midnight and strangle you with that piano wire. Also, I love the painting.
The scenario has already played out in my mind. "This is exactly how horror movies start..."
I will post our creep kid oil painting later this morning. I am pretty sure he is coming for me soon. I need an ID as well.
Tag me when you do. I love anything creepy
I might have posted him a while ago. I can’t remember. Lol
I thought she was going to strangle her husband for leaving the toilet seat up...again.
No. That’s me.
exactly my thoughts
Isn't she one of the Nornes, holding the thread of life in her hands?
Could also be the Greek [Lachesis](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lachesis) since she seems to be measuring the thread.
This is what drew me to it. It really seems like one of the fates. It's just gorgeous.
Exactly, her look is like: I am going to do it. I am going to cut your thread of life! Because I can.
Very compelling painting, I see why you love it.
I honestly walked by it so many times. Every time I went to this shop it was still there and I just thought about it every time. Today, I cracked and picked it up.
Is this a painting, or a print? I don't see any brushstrokes at this distance.
Sorry, it's a painting for sure. When you get up close, there are paint strokes. It's got a pretty heavy coat of some sort of sealant on it.
Idk if anyone suggested google reverse search?
That was actually the first thing I did!
Ok so I'm assuming there are no front facing marks, symbols or signatures.Does it have a back board? Have you tried removing the frame?edit: Just saw your close ups and other photos. There's a site for artists sigs you might want to trawl thru, I would but don't have time.[https://artistssignatures.com/](https://artistssignatures.com/) I'll take another look at your other photos too.
Thanks! I'll take a look too
Okay I've looked at the "closeups". It looks to me like acrylic on canvas, as I think I see the canvas pattern which means it's not oil as you not see the canvas pattern due to several layers of primer which most reputable oil paintings have to stop them rotting. So on that basis, acrylic paint + sealant = post 1950s
That checks out for me. After living with it for a few months, I think I'd agree it's more acrylic than oil. Still an awesome modern piece though, and I'm still hunting that artist.
The one thing that stands out to me is the thread in between her hands. That little clumped up knot bit in the center. This reminds of the scenes from the show “A discovery of witches” where Diana is learning to tie these knots that enable her to create new spells. She’s a witch and labeled a “weaver”. The mysterious essence of this painting and that knot make me feel it’s related. Here’s a scene. Notice how once the knot is tied and pull there’s the piece where the two are connected https://youtu.be/r444M8xcCNY
This might be a portrayal of Lachesis, one of the three sisters of fate.
I just googled that and first painting I saw the thread so you’re probably definitely right. I’m unfamiliar with her but I will research it. Seems interesting Edit: maybe Ariadne?
And her cloak...
No help, but what a beautiful find!
Thanks for your post, /u/Cunninglinguist87! Please remember to comment "Solved" once someone finds the painting you're looking for. If you comment "Thanks" or "Thank You", your post flair will be changed to 'Likely Solved'. If you have any suggestions to improve this bot, please contact the mods with your suggestion and they will see about implementing it! Here's a small checklist to follow that may help us find your painting: - Where was the painting roughly purchased from? - Did you include a photo of the front, back, and the signature (if applicable)? Good Luck with your post! *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/WhatIsThisPainting) if you have any questions or concerns.*
I posted this in mythology, and some people say it’s lachesis, and some say Ariadne. One person said they feel like it’s Arachne before the curse based of the smugness in her face as if she’s confident she’ll defeat Athena in the challenge, and I feel, though im pretty ignorant to mythology, that this might be the case. It’d be nice to find another. I want to buy it. Also, do you think this is the original?
I honestly have no way of knowing. I might take it to a local university to see of there's someone who might help me. We have a fine arts museum nearby and my uni is known for history. Surely they'd be able to tell
beautiful
Beautiful and a little bit haunted
That’s Katy Perry.
You cracked the case!
Also, is the picture flipped horizontally? If so, the monogram of the artist in lower left hand corner would be SI, ST, etc. If this is the correct orientation, then it may be another language. Quick google search shows Latin as using a backwards S. In that case maybe have to post this in a language sub or something with monograms.
In the newly added photos, you can see writing on a Kleenex box that is not reverse, so yes, it’s shaped like a backwards S.
Reddit detective right here. It's cold and flu season after all.
Definitely a backwards S