D Miller Painting Appraisal

Autumn Landscape Painting by D. Miller, 1973

This is an oil or acrylic painting on canvas, depicting an autumn landscape scene. The dominant color is a vibrant golden yellow, suggesting expansive fields or meadows during the fall season. In the foreground to mid-ground, there are several rustic, humble structures, possibly cottages or sheds, with weathered grey roofs and dark, worn walls, indicating age and rural setting. A dirt path or trail winds through the landscape, leading towards the structures. Scattered throughout the fields are smaller mounds of earth or haystacks, and patches of burnt orange foliage provide visual contrast. A prominent, tall, slender tree with light-colored bark and green foliage stands closer to the center-right, drawing the eye upwards. Below it, a small, dark canoe or boat is visible in what appears to be a body of water or a low-lying area, surrounded by what might be lily pads or aquatic vegetation. In the lower right quadrant, a section of an old wooden fence is depicted with splintered posts, adding to the rustic charm. The overall style appears to be representational with a somewhat naive or folk-art quality, characterized by simplified forms and a strong emphasis on color. The painting is signed 'D. MILLER' and dated '73' in the lower right corner, suggesting it was created in 1973. The canvas shows a visible texture, indicating a handcrafted quality. The painting is housed within a simple, possibly wooden, frame with a visible linen or canvas matting, though details of the frame itself are limited in the provided image. There are no obvious signs of significant damage like tears or severe cracking, but minor surface dirt or age-related discoloration would be expected for a piece from this period.