Rico Appraisal

Street Scene with Figures, by Rico

This is an original oil painting depicting a vibrant street scene, likely a village or town in the Mediterranean or Latin American style, given the architecture and flora. The painting is executed in oil on what appears to be canvas or board, framed within a light-colored wooden frame with a subtle linen or burlap liner. The overall dimensions suggest it is a medium-sized artwork, suitable for wall display. The composition features a dirt road or path sloping upwards from the foreground, flanked by buildings and lush foliage. On the left, a long, light-brown or beige wall extends into the middle ground, leading to a substantial building with arched windows or doorways, painted in a pale mauvy-pink hue. Further along the path, closer to the viewer, two figures, an adult and a child, are depicted in dark attire, adding a sense of scale and narrative to the scene. On the right, a smaller, rustic building in a soft terracotta-pink shade is partially obscured by dense green bushes adorned with colorful pink and blue flowers, suggesting a lively garden. The sky above is a cloudy expanse of pale blues and grays, indicating either an overcast day or a diffused light source. The brushstrokes are visible and somewhat broad, characteristic of a more impressionistic or expressionistic style, with a noticeable impasto in areas such as the foliage and the figures. The colors are rich yet muted, creating a harmonious and slightly rustic atmosphere. The artist's signature, "Rico," is clearly visible in the lower right corner, executed in a cursive script. From the visual evidence, the frame appears to be in fair condition with some signs of wear, including minor chips or abrasions on the corners and edges, and possibly some discoloration on the linen liner. There might be a slight crack in the frame itself towards the top right corner, or it could be a join line. The painting itself shows good color retention, with no obvious signs of significant cracking, flaking, or major damage to the paint surface. The overall quality of the artwork suggests an artist with competent skills in landscape and figurative painting, capturing a sense of place and lived experience within the composition. Given the style and visible wear, the painting likely dates from the mid-20th century.