Gondola Art Appraisal

Framed Venetian Gondola Print with Personal Annotation

This item is a framed decorative print depicting a classic Venetian scene featuring a gondola on a canal. The print itself has a watercolor-like appearance, showcasing hues of blue and green for the water, warm yellows and reds for the sunset sky, and rich and muted tones for the buildings and foliage. A prominent gondola, deep brown or black in color, is visible in the mid-ground with two figures, presumably a gondolier and a passenger, onboard. The background suggests an architectural silhouette, typical of Venice. The print is matted with a light, possibly cream or off-white, border, which helps to separate the artwork from the frame. The frame itself is made of wood, painted or gilded in a bright, somewhat reflective gold color, with a ribbed or fluted profile, giving it a traditional or classic aesthetic. Visible condition issues include some minor wear on the gold finish of the frame, such as small nicks or areas where the gold has slightly dulled. A significant distinguishing feature is a pink sticky note affixed to the upper left quadrant of the print, partially obscuring the image. The handwritten inscription on this note reads: 'Jim - Maimie + Buck brought this to Mom + Dad when they took a trip to ITALY in the 1960's'. This annotation provides a unique personal history and context, suggesting the item was acquired as a souvenir during a trip in the 1960s, which also helps to establish its estimated age. The craftsmanship appears to be a standard decorative framing of a commercially produced print. The quality is indicative of a common souvenir item, valued more for its sentimental attachment than its artistic rarity.