Mid-Century Portrait of a Smiling Man with Wine by Charles Fernhof

This is an original oil painting on canvas or board by artist Charles Fernhof, depicting a characterful elderly man in a relaxed, jovial pose. The subject is shown wearing a dark skullcap, a teal-colored jacket, and a vibrant, thickly rendered red scarf that acts as a focal point. He is holding a glass of white wine or spirits to the bottom left of the frame. The painting style is a blend of realism and mid-century commercial illustration, characterized by soft tonal modeling in the face and a looser, impasto-dabbed background with neutral earthy tones. A prominent white cursive signature by 'Charles Fernhof' is located in the top-left quadrant. The man’s facial features exhibit detailed texture, including wrinkles and a slight smile, suggesting a tavern or genre scene aesthetic common in 20th-century decorative art. The physical condition appears stable, with some minor surface grime and aging consistent with a mid-20th-century piece. It is housed in a simple wooden frame that shows light wear and discoloration around the inner lip. The craftsmanship reflects a skilled hand with a focus on capturing personality and light, particularly the highlights on the subject’s nose, eyes, and the glassware.