Charles Bragg Painting Appraisal

Mid-20th Century Portrait of a Jovial Man by Charles Bragg

This is a rectangular framed oil painting or high-quality print on canvas/board, attributed to the American artist Charles Bragg (1931–2017) based on the distinctive signature in the upper left corner. The artwork depicts a character portrait of an elderly, smiling man with a bulbous nose and rosy cheeks, appearing to toast with a wine glass. The subject wears a black skullcap, a teal vest, and a vibrant red scarf that provides a strong focal point. The background is rendered in a muted, painterly gray-brown with soft, dabbing brushwork typical of Bragg's satirical and whimsical style. The man’s facial features are rendered with fine detail, showcasing realistic wrinkles and white bushy eyebrows. The color palette is dominated by earthy tones contrasted with the bold red of the scarf. The condition appears fair to good; the surface shows some texture consistent with age, though some slight fading could be present. The piece is housed in a simple wooden frame with a gold-toned inner liner and a white outer margin. This work likely dates to the mid-to-late 20th century, representing Bragg's unique approach to character studies that blend realism with gentle caricature and social commentary.