Artist Roger Bosch Appraisal

Expressionist Scene of Figures and Musicians by Roger Bosch

This mid-20th-century figurative painting, attributed to the artist Roger Bosch (active circa 1930-1950), depicts a dense, rhythmic scene of figures, notably featuring a central figure in red-and-white striped attire playing a stringed instrument, likely a banjo or guitar. The composition is executed in a dark, expressive palette dominated by deep browns, blacks, and muted ochres, punctuated by high-contrast whites and reds. The style leans toward social realism or expressionism, with abstracted, elongated forms and a flat depth of field that suggests a crowded interior or performance space. Distinguishable elements include playing cards on a table to the left and figures with various headwear, including a blue-and-white striped turban. The brushwork is gestural and thick, characteristic of the mid-century European school. The work is housed in a simple, gold-toned wood frame with a slight metallic sheen. Regarding condition, there are visible signs of age including minor surface abrasions and some loss of detail in the darker pigments over time. The frame shows slight wear along the edges, commensurate with its age. A signature appears in the lower right corner, consistent with the works of Bosch from this period. The overall craftsmanship reflects a high degree of technical skill in color layering and thematic composition typical of post-war European art movements.