I recently purchased this oil painting and can't find anything on the artist. Not sure of the spelling of the name. The painting measures 24"x36". I believe it's turn of the century and is probably an Italian artist. I'd appreciate any information on the painting and it's value.

Exactly how did you acquire this painting? How much did you happen to purchase it for? I do recognize the last name, but I haven't found anything on the F initial to identify this specific painter. However, I can supply you with information on a couple of well known Italians who share his last name.

exactly how did you acquire this painting? how much did you happen to purchase it for? i do recognize the last name, but i haven't found anything on the F initial to identify this specific painter. however, i can supply you with information on a couple of well known Italians who share his last name.

I hope this is the correct way to reply to you. I'm not familiar with the website and I couldn't find a reply icon.

I bought this painting at an antique store. It was on consignment by a collector/reseller who had many painting in the store for sale. All the others were priced, this one was not. The clerk called the consignor, he said $1500 and I bought it. Appears to be of good quality and the subject is to my liking. Hope I did okay. Yes, I would like any information you can provide on the painter.

you figured out the reply just fine. That's exactly how to do it.

so, about the painting...

I think you did very, very well for yourself. I can't price anything for you because that's really not my specialty. My background has more to do with technique and production as an artist.

I live in italy in the center of a very important city in the world of art. There's a very famous and important street for antique and art dealers (I also used to work for one of those dealers on that street), and it's always full of paintings like this one. I do believe it is in that category. I could have been convinced to pay more than 1,500 for this painting. I've shown your pictures to my Italian partner, and he said the same thing. He's wondering why the price was so low, and I have to agree with him.

the name registered with me right away. It looks like Fanfani, which is the last name of an important family in Italy. Google it and you'll see what I mean. I haven't been able to find anything on F. Fanfani, but, if it is indeed an original, I wouldn't be relying on that fact to determine a guess regarding the painting's value.

I think you made a very good purchase. Just out of curiosity, was this shop in a major city in the US? Do you remember what the range of prices were on the other paintings there? Were they also in the same style? Do you have any idea if they're dealing in reproductions?

Linealand,
You are probably right,but thought I would ask you this...
Could the name possibly be something other than Fanfani?

While searching I found a Federico Faruffini,
http://www.italica.rai.it/principali/argomenti/arte/scapigliatura/faruffini2_gr.jpg
http://www.caffeeuropa.it/immagini/800/img/faruffini2.jpg
http://images.artnet.com/WebServices/picture.aspx?date=20061204&catalog=110378&gallery=111553&lot=00187&filetype=2
Recreation by our Gallery Federico Faruffini Open picture USA Oil Painting Reproductions (http://www.intofineart.com/htmlimg/image-32545.html)

The subjects seem very different and I was not able to view a signature on these,so not sure of the possibilities even.

you figured out the reply just fine. that's exactly how to do it.

so, about the painting...

i think you did very, very well for yourself. i can't price anything for you because that's really not my specialty. my background has more to do with technique and production as an artist.

i live in italy in the center of a very important city in the world of art. there's a very famous and important street for antique and art dealers (i also used to work for one of those dealers on that street), and it's always full of paintings like this one. i do believe it is in that category. i could have been convinced to pay more than 1,500 for this painting. i've shown your pictures to my Italian partner, and he said the same thing. he's wondering why the price was so low, and i have to agree with him.

the name registered with me right away. it looks like Fanfani, which is the last name of an important family in Italy. google it and you'll see what i mean. i haven't been able to find anything on F. Fanfani, but, if it is indeed an original, i wouldn't be relying on that fact to determine a guess regarding the painting's value.

i think you made a very good purchase. just out of curiosity, was this shop in a major city in the US? do you remember what the range of prices were on the other paintings there? were they also in the same style? do you have any idea if they're dealing in reproductions?

I'm very pleased with your response. My wife and I were also very surprised at the quoted sales price. We really expected it to be much more expensive. Almost seems like the seller had a momentary lapse of judgement or we just caught him by surprise. Of one thing I'm sure, it is an original and the seller is reputable. We called the gallery the day following the purchase to see if we could learn more about the painting and the seller happened to be there. We spoke and he said we may have made the buy of the year. Anyway, he invited us to his home to view his collection of "ladies". We made the visit this week and were absolutely blown away. It is really a mansion and is totally loaded, I mean every square inch, with extremely high quality, valuable art. Hundreds of paintings, sculptures, furniture, etc. It was like nothing we had ever seen and we've seen a lot. A wonderful treat. We're new to the Sarasota, Florida area and didn't appreciate that this guy is very well known in this here. Yes, we bought it at the Antiques Gallery of Sarasota and he is one of the dealers there. They do not deal in reproductions. Most of the painting they carry more expensive than the price we paid. They carry a variety of styles but did have several others I liked. The store is really more of an antiques store than an art gallery.

I really appreciate the information you have provided and will follow it up with some added internet research now that I have the last name of the artist. It's also comforting to know I've made a good purchase.

Thank you very much

linealand,
You are probably right,but thought I would ask you this...
Could the name possibly be something other than Fanfani?

While searching I found a Federico Faruffini,
http://www.italica.rai.it/principali/argomenti/arte/scapigliatura/faruffini2_gr.jpg
http://www.caffeeuropa.it/immagini/800/img/faruffini2.jpg
http://images.artnet.com/WebServices/picture.aspx?date=20061204&catalog=110378&gallery=111553&lot=00187&filetype=2
Recreation by our Gallery Federico Faruffini Open picture USA Oil Painting Reproductions (http://www.intofineart.com/htmlimg/image-32545.html)

The subjects seem very different and I was not able to view a signature on these,so not sure of the possibilities even.

hi there. It's possible that I'm wrong on the name, but that's what my feeling is. However, I really don't see Faruffini in that signature. I do see a quick, messy signature, and it seems to read Fanfani. That's also what my Italian partner sees. It's an old Italian family name, and I wouldn't be surprised if that's actually what's on the painting. It's a shame that the paintings in your links don't have signatures. However, I don't think they were painted by this painter.

I'm not an appraiser, and I'm not an art historian. To tell you the truth, I don't think this site has either one of those here. I am, however, an artist with years of experience in various aspects of the art world (including through the last 7 years I've been living in Italy), with additional experience in different facets of the world of antiques. The only thing I can give is my opinion.

what I usually come here to do is to say if I think a painting has been well done or not. I can't tell you how many of the paintings I've seen come through here are "tourist" paintings; they're paintings, but they're not worth much. They're made to decorate a home and remind people of their trip to Paris or Rome. This is not that kind of a painting.

I am gratified to know that the seller told you that you got the deal of the year. I believe that to be possible. My gut was reading your price point as a mistake, or because it's just a reproduction, or because something strange was going on. Again, this is just my best guess from my experience. If you want to get an idea on the painting's value, it's time to see an appraiser. They might also be able to get you additional information on the artist. Another option would be to contact some large museums to see if they have the artist's name in their archives.

keuka, I would really love to know more information as you continue your research. I have no problem being proven wrong if that is the case. However, I do think you were quite lucky in this find. By the way, have you noticed any additional markings on the back of the painting? If there are any, they can also prove useful in your search. Best wishes to you!

Thank you again linnealand. You've made my day. Also thanks to firmbeliever for your interest. I will pass along any new information as I receive it. If anyone has a suggestion on selecting an appraiser it would be appreciated

Hello Linnealand. Just wanted to show you the response I received fron Doyle in NYC on my request for info on the painting. I had sent them some on-line pics. Very disappointing. What do you think?

Dear Mr Parker,

The signature on this painting seems to say something like "F. Fanfini," but I am not sure of this since there are no dots on what would be the I's if this were the name. I have tried a number of variations on the letters in the sources we use, but I have not found anything to match. I would agree with you that the painting appears to date to the early twentieth century, but while the artist remains unknown, I would expect it to sell at auction for a price between $500 and $1,000.

That is the best that I can do in this case.

Sincerely,



Elaine Stainton




Elaine Banks Stainton
Senior Vice President
Executive Director, Painting Department
Doyle New York
175 East 87th Street
New York, NY 10128
Tel (212) 427-2730