Hunter Folk Art Appraisal

Man with Cane and Pipe amidst Flowers (Attributed to Clementine Hunter)

This item is a framed folk art painting, attributed to Clementine Hunter, depicting a stylized figure of an older man walking amidst a field of vibrant flowers. The painting utilizes a naive style, characterized by bold, unblended colors and simplified forms. The man, rendered with a dark complexion, is dressed in a red shirt, black trousers, and a black hat, and holds a brown cane in his left hand while smoking a pipe. His hair appears white or gray. The background features a light beige or off-white sky with simple strokes of blue and gray representing clouds. The foreground consists of a ground plane in shades of green, dark red, and gray, with numerous flowers in blue and red. The flowers are depicted with thick green stems and leaves, suggesting a lush environment. The brushstrokes are visible and thick, indicating an impasto technique in areas, particularly with the flowers and the man's clothing. A notable feature is the signature or artist's mark, a distinctive stylized 'C' or '#' symbol, located in the lower right corner of the painting. The painting is housed in a simple wooden frame with a red inner border and a dark brown or black outer edge, exhibiting some wear consistent with age and handling. The overall condition of the painting appears stable, though there might be some minor surface dirt or discoloration from age, which is common for artworks of this type and era. The visible texture of the canvas beneath the paint suggests it might be painted on a canvas board or stretched canvas. This piece embodies the characteristics of self-taught art and is likely from the mid-to-late 20th century, consistent with Clementine Hunter's active period.