Corby Appraisal

Kids at Como by John Corby (1998)

This is an original watercolor painting by the Australian artist John Corby, dated 1998. The landscape artwork depicts a group of children standing on a jetty or pier at Como, New South Wales. The composition utilizes a panoramic horizontal orientation, capturing the hazy, atmospheric light characteristic of the George's River area. The palette is comprised of muted earth tones, soft blues, and greens, demonstrating a high level of control over the watercolor medium to create realistic reflections on the water and a sense of depth in the distant shoreline. The painting is housed in a professional triple-matting window (creme/off-white with a thin inner green border and a middle creme layer) that provides significant visual breathing room. The frame is a traditional gold-leafed or metallic-finished wood/composite with a slight mottled patina and a beaded or step-edge profile. The construction appears sturdy, with the artwork protected by glass. Condition-wise, the visible portion of the paper appears flat with no obvious signs of foxing, sunlight fading, or water damage. The frame shows minor surface handling wear consistent with its age. Corby is known for his representational depictions of Australian life and coastline, and the brushwork here shows excellent technical proficiency, particularly in the rendering of the wooden pylons and the silhouetted figures against the hazy background.