1987 Painting Appraisal

Framed Watercolor Painting by C. Hansard, 1987

This item is a framed watercolor painting, likely depicting a coastal or harbor scene with boats beached on a shore in the foreground and a row of buildings, possibly houses or shops, on a hill in the background. The painting features an earthy palette, with dominant tones of brown, green, and a muted blue for the sky. The boats, two main ones visible, show details of their construction, with visible planks and what appear to be support structures or trolleys beneath them, suggesting they are pulled onto the land. The buildings in the background are rendered in light ochre and white tones, with dark lines defining their structures and windows. Green grass and light brown pathways or earth fill the mid-ground. The artwork appears to be executed on paper, visible through the natural aging and slight buckling that can occur with watercolors. The lines defining the boats and buildings seem to be rendered with a fine pen or ink, a common technique in watercolor art to provide structure and detail. The visible signature on the bottom right reads 'C. Hansard '87', indicating the artist's name and the year of creation, 1987. There might be another signature or inscription on the bottom left, but it is less legible. The painting is housed in a wooden frame with a reddish-brown finish, exhibiting signs of wear and minor scuffs, particularly along the top edge, consistent with age and handling. The frame features a simple profile with a slight inner gold-toned border, adding a touch of classic framing. The artwork is matted with a single, wide, grey-green matboard, which provides a visual buffer between the artwork and the frame, enhancing the perception of the art. The visible condition suggests normal wear and tear for an item of its age, with no apparent significant damage to the artwork itself, although a thorough inspection outside the frame would be necessary to confirm. The overall aesthetic points to a late 20th-century piece of modest size, likely a landscape or marine subject, typical of decorative art from that period.