Impressionist Landscape Oil Painting in Gilt Frame

This item is an original oil painting on canvas, likely dating from the late 19th to early 20th century, executed in a French Barbizon or early Impressionist style. The artwork depicts a serene river landscape under a pale blue sky with wispy clouds. The composition features a lush, grassy riverbank in the foreground with a winding dirt path, leading the eye toward a body of water and distant hills. The palette is dominated by soft greens, earthy browns, and tranquil blues, showing a skillful use of light and shadow to create depth. The brushwork is expressive yet controlled, characteristic of plein air painting. The work is housed in a substantial, ornate period-style gilt frame featuring intricate floral or foliate gesso moldings (egg-and-dart or acanthus leaf patterns). The frame's gold leaf finish shows a rich, aged patina with visible surface dust in the crevices and minor separation at the mitered corners, which is typical for its age. The painting appears to be signed in the lower-left corner, though the signature is partially obscured by foliage. The canvas shows minor surface cracking (craquelure) consistent with naturally aged oil paint. This piece represents a high level of academic training and craftsmanship, reflecting the pastoral aesthetic popular in European art during the Victorian era.