Adam and Eve with the Serpent Appraisal
Category: Painting
Description
The item is a framed painting on paper depicting a scene from the biblical story of Adam and Eve. The central figure is Eve, with pale pink skin, rendered in a naive or folk art style. She has large, wide-open eyes, red lips, and long, dark brown hair flowing down her back. A stylized black snake with red eyes is wrapped around her arm. Eve is reaching for a large red apple hanging from a tree. The tree has a vibrant orange trunk and branches, with dark green leaves and multiple large, round red apples hanging from it. The ground is adorned with a profusion of stylized flowers in shades of red, yellow, and white. The background is a bright blue sky. The colors are bold and flat, typical of gouache or tempera paint. The painting is housed in a simple light wood frame, likely with a glass or acrylic covering. There are no visible artist signatures or markings. The overall condition appears good, with no obvious tears or damage to the paint layer, though reflected light on the surface obscures a full view. The style suggests a naive or self-taught artist, possibly from the mid to late 20th century.
Appraisal Report
I have examined the provided image of the painting on paper depicting Adam and Eve with the Serpent. The piece appears to be executed in gouache or tempera in a naive or folk art style. The colors are vibrant and the composition is simple. Based on the image, the condition appears good, with no visible damage to the paint surface, though the reflective nature of the covering prevents a definitive assessment. The frame is a simple modern style. Authenticity of naive or folk art without known attribution is challenging from images alone. The lack of visible signatures or markings is typical of this genre, but also prevents attribution. Comparables in the folk art market for unattributed works of this scale and subject matter can vary widely depending on execution quality and regional origin, if known. Demand for this type of art is generally modest unless the quality is exceptional or an artist can be identified. This particular piece is charming but does not display the mastery or unique qualities that would drive high demand or rarity. Factors impacting value for unattributed naive art are primarily decorative appeal and condition. To definitively verify authenticity beyond style alone, I would need to physically examine the painting to assess the paper, paint application, and framing in person. Provenance documentation, tracing the history of ownership, would be critical for authenticating it to a specific artist or region, if one were suggested. Scientific testing could potentially determine the age of the materials but would not confirm authorship.
Appraisal Value
$100-200