Mid-Century Impressionist Mixed Media Painting by Shutterworth

This is a large-format mixed media painting on canvas, characterized by a heavy impasto technique and a dominant palette of earth tones, specifically olive greens, ochre, and mustard yellows. The composition features two figures—a bearded man with sunglasses and a young child—positioned in what appears to be a field or coastal meadow. The man is depicted in a kneeling position, interacting with the standing child. The texture is a standout feature, with thick, granular applications of paint in the foreground creating a tactile, dimensional quality that simulates rough grass or earth. These textures transition into smoother, vertical brushstrokes in the background to suggest a forest or high grass under diffused light. The painting is housed in a minimalist thin metal 'floater' style frame, common in the mid-to-late 20th century. The signature 'Shutterworth' is visible in the lower right quadrant. The overall style suggests an American Impressionist or Expressionist influence, likely dating from the 1960s to 1970s. The surface shows minor signs of age-related patina and dust accumulation in the heavy textures, but the canvas appears taut and without major structural defects. The craftsmanship displays a sophisticated understanding of light and depth through subtractive layering and heavy application of medium.

Based on my visual examination of this mid-century mixed media work, I find the piece to be a strong example of late 1960s to early 1970s American figurative expressionism. The impasto application is expertly handled, utilizing a heavy medium to create a relief-like foreground that provides significant depth. The color palette of olive and ochre is highly indicative of the era and remains popular for interior design-focused collectors. The condition appears stable with minor dust accumulation typical of oil/mixed media textures; however, the canvas tension remains excellent. The market for mid-tier mid-century modern art remains robust, specifically for large-format pieces that exhibit such tactile energy and emotive subject matter. Comparables for works by listed artists of similar style and period typically range from $1,000 to $2,500 depending on size and provenance. Limitations: This valuation is based on photographic evidence and descriptions provided. I cannot definitively verify the chemical composition of the pigments or the age of the substrate without physical testing. A full authentication would require an in-person inspection of the frame's reverse, examination of the canvas weave under UV light to detect restorations or over-painting, and a review of provenance documents to establish a chain of ownership. The signature 'Shutterworth' requires further biographical cross-referencing to confirm if this is the primary market name for this specific hand. For insurance purposes, I suggest a replacement value at the higher end of the provided range.