Contemporary Art Valuation Appraisal

Contemporary Figurative Painting of Cyclists

This is a framed, contemporary-style painting depicting a group of stylized figures riding bicycles. The artwork features an ensemble of five or more characters, each with an exaggerated head and a simplified body, characterized by large, rosy cheeks and small, red pouting lips, giving them a whimsical and childlike appearance. Their eyes are depicted as simple dots. The figures are dressed in brightly colored, striped, and solid-colored attire, including shirts, scarves, and hats (helmets), in hues of yellow, orange, red, green, blue, and black and white stripes. The paint application appears to be thick and textural, possibly using acrylic or mixed media, with visible brushstrokes, especially in the background. The background itself is minimalist, featuring a sloped, greyish-blue ground plane, suggesting a slight incline, and a lighter, atmospheric sky. The artwork is signed in the lower right portion of the image, appearing to read "S. Rapa." or "S. Ragone" in red script. The painting is encased in a multi-part frame; the inner frame is a dark, possibly black or very dark brown, flat molding, while the outer frame is a wider, ornate gold-colored frame exhibiting a distressed or textured finish, with visible dark mottling or patination, suggesting age or an intentional antique look. The general condition appears good with no overt signs of damage to the painting itself, though the frame shows some wear consistent with handling and time. Its whimsical subject matter, vibrant palette, and distinctive figural style suggest it is a decorative piece, likely from the late 20th to early 21st century.