Pallet Knife Painting Appraisal

Joseph La Pierre Pallet Knife Oil Painting of a Seascape with Lighthouse

This is an original oil on canvas board painting by listed artist Joseph La Pierre (1910-1991), executed in his signature impasto style using a pallet knife. The composition features a vibrant coastal scene dominated by a tall red lighthouse positioned on the left side, with nautical vessels and small structures nestled against a dark treeline in the mid-ground. The foreground displays a body of water with expressive reflections of the lighthouse and shoreline. The color palette is rich, utilizing deep blues, seafoam greens, and striking reds, contrasted against a pale blue sky with horizontal cloud formations. The impasto technique creates a distinct three-dimensional texture across the surface, a hallmark of La Pierre's mid-to-late 20th-century impressionistic style. The work is signed 'Joseph La Pierre' in the lower right quadrant. The painting is housed in a simple, gold-toned metallic frame with a wide white matte board. Regarding condition, the artwork itself appears well-preserved with no visible cracking or paint loss; however, the matte board shows noticeable foxing and brown spotting in the upper margin, and the gold frame exhibits minor surface scratches and age-appropriate wear. Based on the style and framing, this piece likely dates to the 1960s or 1970s.