This looks like something made in the late 1960s or 1970s for a mass market. The brushstrokes are rough and quick in the background, and the shading of the body is uninspired, but carefully done. There is an attempt to ensure an accurate portrait of a person in the detailing in the face, but the facial characteristics are not rendered in an adventurous manner. I would guess that this is something one could have gotten quite readily at an artist's market or something of the sort, instead of a "high art" piece, since there are no obvious references to art historical trends or any obvious nods to any particularly definitive painting styles. The artist's first name looks like it could be "Jenny"? Or something like that?
If you got it from your neighbour, I suggest you ask him/her first about it -- chances are you'll get all your questions answered.
|