Bison Painting Appraisal

Child's Gouache Painting of a Bison

This is an unframed painting, likely executed in gouache or tempera paint, depicting a bison in a field. The painting is rendered on a rectangular canvas or sturdy paper board, with visible canvas texture suggesting a pre-primed surface. The dimensions appear to be approximately 12 to 18 inches in width and 9 to 12 inches in height, based on its context against the wood paneling background. The coloration of the bison is primarily dark brown with lighter brown and white highlights on its shaggy coat and shoulders. The distinctive white horns and a patch of white on its nose are also visible. The animal is shown in a dynamic pose, as if in motion, with one leg slightly raised. The background consists of a broad band of rich green at the bottom, representing grass, with a distinctly brush-stroked, pale lavender or pinkish-purple sky above. The brushwork throughout the painting is broad and expressive, characteristic of a child's or amateur artist's style, with visible strokes and varying paint thickness. There is a discernible signature in the bottom right corner, 'Elissa T. 05', which suggests the artist's name and the year '2005' as the date of creation. The painting is in fair condition with no obvious signs of damage such as tears, significant creases, or major paint loss, although minor surface abrasions or dust accumulation may be present. The edges appear clean, indicating it may have been stored carefully. The overall aesthetic suggests a folk art or naive art style, focusing on capturing the essence of the subject rather than detailed realism.