Tobacco Farming Art Appraisal

Tobacco Farmer Sorting Leaves Oil Painting

This item is an original oil painting on canvas, likely dating from the mid-20th century, depicting an elderly male farmer engaged in the labor-intensive task of grading or sorting tobacco leaves. The composition features a monochromatic or sepia-toned palette dominated by earth tones, ochre, and muted browns, which emphasizes a rustic, historical atmosphere. The central figure is dressed in period-accurate workwear, including a wide-brimmed fedora style hat, spectacles, a button-up shirt with suspenders, and trousers. He is seated on a simple wooden chair, flanked by large piles of bright yellow-gold tobacco leaves. The background suggests an interior barn or workspace with wooden plank walls and heavy hanging drapes or bundles. The brushwork appears deliberate and textured, particularly in the rendering of the tobacco leaves and the farmer's weathered facial features. Regarding condition, visible surface wear includes fine craquelure consistent with age, several light scuffs or superficial scratches on the paint surface, and some minor loss around the edges where it meets the frame. There are no immediately visible maker's marks or signatures in the provided view, though they may be hidden by the dark wood frame or located on the reverse. The work demonstrates skilled portraiture and a strong sense of Regionalist or Social Realist style common in early to mid-20th century American art.