Mid-Century Polynesian Portrait Oil Painting
Fine Art - Paintings

Mid-Century Polynesian Portrait Oil Painting

This is an original oil painting on canvas, depicting a topless Polynesian woman. The subject is shown wearing a white floral lei around her neck and appears to have long, dark hair with green foliage or lei accents tucked into it. The color palette is dominated by warm, reddish-brown skin tones contrasted against a dark, moody background. The execution of the anatomy shows a commitment to realistic lighting and shadow, particularly on the torso and neck. Based on the style and subject matter, this piece is reflective of the mid-20th-century 'Tiki' art movement, likely dating between the 1940s and 1960s. The canvas is housed in what appears to be a simple thin metallic or painted wood frame. Regarding condition, the painting shows visible signs of aging and wear. There are significant vertical surface scratches and paint loss visible on the lower portion of the subject's torso, just above the red-and-white patterned waistline. The canvas texture is prominent, suggesting a slightly thinner application of paint in some areas. There is an artist's signature or marking in the lower-left corner, rendered in red, though it is partially obscured and difficult to transcribe. The craftsmanship suggests a skilled hand with classical training in figure study, common for artists providing souvenirs or salon-style works during the mid-century Pacific travel boom.

Estimated Value

$400 - $700

Basic Information

Category

Fine Art - Paintings

Appraised On

January 22, 2026

Estimated Value

$400 - $700

Item Description

This is an original oil painting on canvas, depicting a topless Polynesian woman. The subject is shown wearing a white floral lei around her neck and appears to have long, dark hair with green foliage or lei accents tucked into it. The color palette is dominated by warm, reddish-brown skin tones contrasted against a dark, moody background. The execution of the anatomy shows a commitment to realistic lighting and shadow, particularly on the torso and neck. Based on the style and subject matter, this piece is reflective of the mid-20th-century 'Tiki' art movement, likely dating between the 1940s and 1960s. The canvas is housed in what appears to be a simple thin metallic or painted wood frame. Regarding condition, the painting shows visible signs of aging and wear. There are significant vertical surface scratches and paint loss visible on the lower portion of the subject's torso, just above the red-and-white patterned waistline. The canvas texture is prominent, suggesting a slightly thinner application of paint in some areas. There is an artist's signature or marking in the lower-left corner, rendered in red, though it is partially obscured and difficult to transcribe. The craftsmanship suggests a skilled hand with classical training in figure study, common for artists providing souvenirs or salon-style works during the mid-century Pacific travel boom.

Get Your Items Appraised

Instant estimates of your treasures with AI-powered instant appraisals

Browse More Appraisals