Decorative Art Oil Painting Appraisal

Impasto Floral Oil Painting (Poppies)

This item is an original oil painting on canvas, featuring a vibrant composition of red poppies rendered in a thick impasto technique. The physical characteristics include a heavily textured surface where the paint has been applied generously, giving the flowers a three-dimensional quality. The dominant colors are vivid reds for the poppy petals, accented with small daubs of yellow or black in their centers, suggesting stamens. The background consists of broad, vertical strokes of olive green, yellow-green, and darker greenish-brown tones, creating a sense of foliage or tall grass from which the poppies emerge. The canvas texture is visible through thinner applications of paint in the background, hinting at a coarse weave. A notable feature is the artist's signature, rendered in bright chartreuse or lime green paint, prominently displayed across the lower-center portion of the canvas. While it is somewhat stylized and difficult to decipher fully from the image, it appears to begin with an initial 'P' and possibly reads 'P. Romberg' or similar. The painting is framed in what appears to be a traditional wooden frame with a warm, medium-brown finish and a simple, classic profile. The condition of the painting appears good; no significant damage such as cracks, chips, or major abrasions are evident on the painted surface. The impasto technique naturally creates a rugged surface, so variations in paint thickness are intentional. The overall aesthetic suggests a post-impressionistic or contemporary floral style, possibly dating from the mid-20th century to the present day due to the bold application of paint and color choices. The craftsmanship is evident in the dynamic brushwork and the expressive quality of the impasto, giving the piece a robust and lively presence.