I would like to know how to get two antique oil paintings evaluated. These are inherited and are in MINT condition. They are signed and dated, 1885, artist name is HURD. I am willing to send as many photos as necessary for evaluation. I live in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, so travel is not possible for me to physically bring the paintings in. Thank you.

Your best bet would be to take them to an art museum or auctioneer who has a specialty in art. But, given your location, we would be willing to try here.

If you could post images on this thread, that would be helpful! We don't guarantee results, but we can try!

What are the names of the paintings, please?

Thanks!

The paintings are not named as I can tell, but do have the year, 1885 on both. One is a winter scene, the other is summer, it appears. Frames are in excellent condition as well. The only thing I can find wrong with either is the paper backing is torn, but not bad for paintings 123 years old!

Uploaded one picture of each painting for your review and enjoyment!

Thanks so much for your quick reply,
K.

Thanks so much for for posting the images! Since you are the one who has the originals, would it be possible for you to post larger images here?

I can resize the ones that you have posted. However, the quality of them wouldn't be as good as the ones that you might post that would be larger.

Thanks!

Could this be the Hurd of your painting?
Wyeth-Hurd Artists (http://www.wyethartists.com/gallery/gallery.htm)

I already asked someone at the gallery, and she said no ancestor has the initials of the painting. Thanks, though.

Hi Clough, I'll try again, but last time it said the pic was too big. Maybe one at a time!:rolleyes:

Thanks for the reposts of the images in a somewhat larger format, reefannie! I will do some searching and see what I come up with...

Hi Clough,
Thought I'd add a picture of the signature. The same one on both paintings.
Also, I forgot to mention, the family is from Holland and Germany. These paintings could have been done in either country, or USA, not sure. Unfortunately, all senior members of the family are deceased.

If you need other pictures, please don't hesitate to ask. I've been all over the web looking for someone who may be able to tell me more about these paintings, or even if they have any value at all.

K.

Trying to get the images large enough, Clough. Hope these are better!

K.

Now, those images are great because of the size of them! Thank you for posting them! I will work on things about this after I have had some sleep. Haven't gone to bed just yet.

I will work with the images that you have posted, enhance them some and also repost them here so that myself or others might be able to come up with some answers for you.

As I have said before, we don't guarantee results, but we can try! At least you are receiving some "live" help here! Plus, it isn't costing you anything for the help that you do get here!

Thanks!

Hi there!

It has been quite awhile and I was hoping you had heard from someone regarding these paintings. Would you like larger pictures?

Thanks so much,

RA

There was a Louis Frederick Hurd (b.1853), who did more seasides than landscapes. His style is distinctly more refined than these two items, but who knows? He also did some posters for exhibitions that are signed "L.F. Hurd".

There was also a "Chas. S. Hurd", born 1800, but I can't find anything he did.

Hello and thank you. Did you happen to notice if these Hurds were American or European?

K.

Hi Reefannie,

Could you please post some more large-scaled photos, with a quality like the one with the signature? - please one photo of each painting itself (without frames - but just the photo of it, you don't have to unframe them ;-) important is the clear visability of the painting and its state) and one photo of the back of each painting.
By the way... what about the measures? Can you say something about the material? Looks like oil... is it on canvas or paper..
When photographing, avoid flash or any reflexion, don't take it straight-frontal, just a little bit from the side.

Well, that's it so far

Regards berns

PS: where in the pacific are you at? I almost travelled a lot in the pacific

Sure, I'll post photos again. I live in Hawaii. My good cameras are in the shop right now. If these are not doing it for you, I'll retake with my son's camera tomorrow. The medium is oil and the signing is MJ HURD

That are the photos, I already have seen, so LARGER & closer please.
The reason why I was asking for your location, is that it makes almost a big technical difference if you are in Hawaii/USA or in Tuvalu/the north of Tonga... etc - in Hawaii u got all the technical comfort like everywhere "on the continent"... that will make things more easy.

Well so far... I am waiting with excitement for your next post ;-)

Regards bernie

Am I seeing things, or are there two letters in front of the "Hurd" ? Can't make it out.

Oh, OK, nevermind--you said "M J". Duh!

Dear Reefannie,

I just checked your pics again and had a closer look on these given photodetails - I fear you won't like my opinion.
Sorry, but as far as I could see, are both paintings in poor condition, esp. the summer/autumn has multiple cracks on the paint-layer and so the paint "is open" and vulnerable - these dry paint-parts could easily fall off - and its VERY expensive to have that professionally fixed.
The "red stuff" within the frame looks like cloth (velvet?); if that is fixed/glued to the painting`s surface it's a irreversable damage to the pigment and the varnish. The frames look nice, but I fear they are not top either. I guess the are wooden, but check the filigree pattern softly with a needle, I think it is just a lime application covered with a golden colour, and the angles of the frames don't look like solid teeth-craved work that got glued then - I guess there'll be a connection-part, like a nail or a wooden plug.

And finally, the quality of the artist's painting is poor as well - you will find so many of them elsewhere in better conditions.

I am sorry for that, I don't know what you expacted to gain for that, or so, but if I would have it, I would ask a "toursist-antique-shop" if they wonna sell it to any of the tourists ( I am sure some would buy it).

But that's just my opinion...

Regards, bernie

Thank you for your time. The material (matting) is red velvet and it is not glued to the painting. I was told the frames are hand carved, and then (yes) glued together. They are over 100 years old and have been in the family that long. My grandmother thought the artist also made the frames. I guess beauty is in the eye...

Dear Reefannie,

I didn't want to sound rude, but I just told honestly what I see - I have a lot to do with old european paintings and I guess I have almost seen & rated thousands.

Of course, beauty is a matter of personal taste, but I don't want/I can't judge beautiness, that is duty of the spectator.

I know it is hard, but should I tell you lies? Sure you understand - you can keep them of course as nice family-connected artefacts, that have surrvived the ages and have almost losts of distance covered and seen a lot of the world .

Best regards, burns