Paul R Socol Appraisal

Signed and Dated Canvas Verso by Paul R. Socol, 2013

This item is the verso (back) of a stretched canvas art piece, likely a painting. The canvas material appears to be a natural fiber, possibly cotton or linen, exhibiting a light, off-white or cream color. It is stretched tautly over a wooden stretcher bar frame, which is visible along the edges and corners. The stretcher bars are made of light-colored, unfinished wood, suggesting a contemporary or modern construction. On the reverse side of the canvas, there is a prominent handwritten signature in what appears to be pencil or light charcoal. The signature reads "Paul R. Socol" and is accompanied by an inscription "NIe 2013". This inscription likely indicates the date of creation, 2013, and possibly an abbreviation or initial by the artist. The penmanship is clear and distinct. A thin, dark wire for hanging the artwork is partially visible, curving across the lower right portion of the canvas. Along the left edge, where the canvas wraps around the stretcher bar, there are visible paint marks and remnants, suggesting a vibrant and possibly textured application of paint on the obverse side. These paint splashes include shades of white, orange, and brown tones, confirming that this is an original painted work. The overall condition of the verso appears good, with no obvious tears or significant damage to the canvas or frame. The visible wood appears clean and structurally sound. The craftsmanship of the stretching seems standard for contemporary framed canvas art, indicating a quality piece, though further assessment would require viewing the painted side.