[jackson2005]

My Dad purchased this painting by "BELLINI" before he met my mother back in 1974. He lived in Tulsa, OK and in Omaha, NB and my Mom believes he most likely purchased the painting at an art auction of some kind during the times he lived in those two cities. But there is no evidence of where he actually bought the painting or the actual year, though the year was probably between 1967-1973. There is a lot number on the back, 18101. There used to be a sticker on the back according to my mother but has been lost. The back of the oil on canvas 4' x 2' painting has finger and hand prints left over by the artist. The canvas on the sides of the stretch bars seem to be painted and apart of the art. Also there are lengths penciled into the stretch bars describing the length and width. It may be the painter thought the piece was going to be bigger then it wound up being so before the piece dried he/she took the stretch bars off and restretched it? I don't know. I'm very confused on why the sides of the stretch bars' canvas wrap over was painted. It's of the "AMY HEWES" paddle boat which was in commission 1903-1949, built in Franklin, LA and it served as a tug boat in Louisisana up and down the Mississippi. The Oil Paint is very thick and the style is dark. It looks dark but when a light is put on it you can see very deep and pretty blues. I have know idea how old the painting is. It is in good condition, however there is some dust build up and I plan on getting it cleaned next month. This is handwritten on one of the stretch boards: RXTO 99.50. Not sure what the RXTO means but I believe the price listed the painting at $99.50. Any help on finding the artist' info would be greatly appreciated. Name is BELLINI. Also, how much would this painting be worth today.

[tomina]

Hi, just found your post trying to research my own Bellini painting. You ever get any info about it? I purchased mine at an estate sale in Texas. No info came with it. Haven't seen another like it until yours in fact. Mine is a ship (pirate/schooner?) same color scheme and size as yours.