J Vivancos Seascape Appraisal

Mid-Century Seascape Oil Painting by J. Vivancos

This is a large-format horizontal oil painting on canvas depicting a dramatic coastal seascape. The artwork features crashing turquoise and deep blue waves with voluminous white sea foam, set against a backdrop of mist-covered cliffs and a soft, billowy sky filled with cumulonimbus clouds. A small flock of seagulls is visible in the distant sky, adding a sense of scale and movement. The color palette is dominated by cool tones—aquamarine, cerulean, and soft lavenders in the clouds—contrasted with warm golden highlights on the crests of the waves suggesting a low-hanging sun. The painting is signed 'J. Vivancos' in the lower-left corner in a stylized dark script. Based on the style and execution, this piece is consistent with mid-to-late 20th-century decorative seascapes (circa 1960s-1980s), likely produced for the commercial art market. The quality of the brushwork is competent, utilizing wet-on-wet techniques to achieve the fluid transparency of the water and the soft texture of the clouds. The artwork is housed in a heavy, period-appropriate composite wood frame. The frame features a dark walnut-stained outer molding, a gold-toned inner bevel, and a beige linen liner typical of the era. Physically, the painting appears to be in good vintage condition; however, there is visible darkening on the linen liner and minor scuffing on the wood frame's edges. The canvas tension appears stable, though a slight yellowing of the varnish may be present, which is common for oil works of this age.