Railey Cooley Painting Appraisal

Original Monkey Painting by Railey Cooley

This original representational painting by artist Railey Cooley measures 10x12 inches and depicts two grey-furred monkeys, possibly langurs or vervet monkeys, engaged in human-like behavior. One monkey holds an open gold pocket watch, while the other looks on beside a leather wallet and several scattered coins on a stone ledge. The artwork is rendered with fine detail, showcasing realistic texture in the primates' fur and the weathered surfaces of the stone wall. The palette is composed of naturalistic earth tones, including greys, tans, and browns, set against a soft, pale sky and distant landscape. The painting is housed in a substantial, ornate double-layered frame. The inner frame is a heavily carved, gilded moulding with a repeated scallop or gadrooned pattern, while the outer proportion features a wide black velvet or painted cove bordered by an additional gold trim. The craftsmanship reflects a traditional, classical style similar to 19th-century anthropomorphic animal art. The condition appears excellent with no visible craquelure, paint loss, or damage to the ornate frame. The lower left corner contains the artist's signature, confirming its provenance as an original work by Cooley.