De Baca Painting Appraisal

Mountain Town Landscape Oil Painting by De Baca

This is an original oil painting depicting a mountain town landscape, possibly located in New Mexico, as suggested by the context. The artwork itself measures approximately 16 x 24 inches. The painting features a vibrant and somewhat expressionistic style, characterized by broad brushstrokes and rich, earthy color tones punctuated by brighter accents. The composition includes prominent snow-capped mountains in the background under a dynamic, cloudy blue sky. In the midground, a cluster of buildings, indicative of a small town or village, is nestled amongst rolling hills and dense foliage, possibly evergreens. A road or path winds through the scene, adding depth to the landscape. The foreground is dominated by a lush, green forest rendered with textured brushwork, suggesting individual trees or dense undergrowth. The colors are generally saturated, with blues, greens, browns, and reds creating a lively scene. The surface of the oil painting appears slightly glossy, indicating a possible varnish or the inherent sheen of oil paints. There are no immediately obvious significant condition issues such as cracks, flaking, or major discoloration visible in the provided image; however, a close inspection would be required to confirm. The painting is framed in what appears to be a rustic, handcrafted frame made from reclaimed wood, possibly barnwood or weathered planks. The frame exhibits a natural, distressed finish with visible grain, knots, and irregularities, contributing to a rustic aesthetic. The corners of the wooden frame show some signs of wear and minor gaps, which are consistent with its rustic construction. Adding to the unique framing, strips of rusted or oxidized metal are affixed along the inner edge of the wooden frame, directly contacting the painting. These metal strips have a distinct aged patina, characterized by varying shades of reddish-brown and textured surfaces. This combination of reclaimed wood and rusted metal suggests a folk art or rustic contemporary style of framing, which complements the subject matter of a rugged mountain landscape. The artist's last name appears to be 'De Baca' or 'D Baca', visible as a signature in the lower right portion of the painting. The full first name is unknown. The style suggests a 20th-century American landscape painting, possibly mid to late 20th century, leaning towards a regionalist or post-impressionistic influence given its expressive quality.