Mid-Century Western Winter Scene Oil Painting by J. Rex

This is a horizontal oil painting on canvas depicting a nocturnal winter scene in a Western or frontier setting. The composition centers on a group of saddled horses gathered in the snow outside a light-filled building, likely a stable or small church given the steeple-like structure on the left. The artist utilizes a dramatic Chiaroscuro effect, with warm orange light spilling from the arched windows and open bays, contrasting against the cool, dark blues and teals of the night sky and the snow-covered roof. The brushwork is impressionistic and textured, particularly visible in the snow and the smoke rising from the chimney. The painting is signed 'J. Rex' in the lower right corner, a name associated with mid-20th-century commercial and illustrative Western art. The piece is housed in a period wood frame featuring a gold-toned finish with ornate scrollwork along the inner edge and a linen liner. The condition appears fair to good; while the colors remain vibrant, there is visible surface grime and the linen liner shows signs of mild aging and discoloration. The style and framing suggest the piece dates to the 1960s or 1970s. The equestrian details are rendered with an emphasis on atmosphere over anatomical precision, characteristic of popular decor art of the era.