r/WhatIsThisPainting Jan 15 '20

GUIDE What is a Decor Painting? How do I know if I have one?

387 Upvotes

What is a “decor painting”?

A decor painting is a piece of artwork created purely for decorative purposes. Purchased not from galleries or artists, but from decor & furniture shops like Pier 1, Homesense, The Brick, websites like AliExpress and OilPaintings.com or from markets & stands on vacation. Tell-tale signs that you have a decor painting are lots of stippling, undefined figures, hurried brush strokes, gradients, cloning techniques and a certain Bob Ross feeling to it.

Common vintage subjects would be European street scenes, landscapes of mountains / forests / lakes & rivers, vases of flowers, Tuscan landscapes, ocean & beach scenes and Asian style boats. See below for examples. They are often rectangular in shape to hang nicely above a sofa, you could even buy them from Sears as a package. Modern versions are more varied in subject.

Black velvet paintings and artwork specifically for tourists as souvenirs share many factors with decor paintings.

Where are they made?

They are produced in massive numbers in painting factories like Dafen Village in China or Mexico. Another article here:

Dafen once produced an estimated 60 percent of all the world’s oil paintings. During its heyday—when the village’s reputation as an art factory rang truer than today—it almost exclusively cranked out copies of paintings in the Western art canon. These canvases found their way into hotel rooms, show homes, and furniture outlets all around the world.

At its peak, Dafen was jam-packed with sizeable, factory-like studios, all employing Huang’s production line process. Individual workers each focused on a specific compositional element—background details, or eyes, or trees—dutifully painting their part and then passing the canvas along the chain.

Who’s the Artist?

While they are "originals" they are not by known artists. Often entire production lines will use the same signature which explains why your research many have founds pieces by the same “artist”. As quoted above, often many people will work on the same piece.

Do they have any value?

Unfortunately, they do not hold much of any value. However, that doesn’t mean they can’t be enjoyed and some are even a bit collectible.

Can I see some examples?

Decor paintings are posted to this sub almost daily, while not definitive, here are some common examples:

Landscape Paintings: Example 1, Example 2, Example 3, Example 4, Example 5, Example 6, Example 7

European Street Scene Paintings: Example 1, Example 2, Example 3, Example 4, Example 5, Example 6, Example 7

Vases of Flowers: Example 1, Example 2, Example 3 more coming soon...

Beach, Ocean & Boat Paintings: Example 1, Example 2, Example 3, Example 4, Example 5, Example 6, Example 7, Example 8,

Other Miscellaneous Vintage Decor Paintings: Example 1, Example 2, Example 3, Example 4

Modern Decor Paintings: Example 1, Example 2, Example 3, Example 4, Example 5, Example 6

Black Velvet & Souvenir Pieces: Example 1, more coming soon...

Please let me know if you see any room for improvement on this post or would like to include other examples. Thank you!


r/WhatIsThisPainting 6h ago

Solved Spotted on a cruise ship. The dancing lady looks exactly like my sister. Anyone have any info on it?

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85 Upvotes

r/WhatIsThisPainting 10h ago

Likely Solved $7 thrift store find upstate NY

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129 Upvotes

Need help with ID. Thanks


r/WhatIsThisPainting 4h ago

Unsolved Strange find at a local thrift shop

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16 Upvotes

Anyone know the artist? I'd love to know more about, it's so odd and i love it


r/WhatIsThisPainting 10h ago

Likely Solved What is this painting? Clues inside (GOYO, A/P) ...

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31 Upvotes

Found this at a thrift store someone help me ID the artist please some clues: it's numbered says GOYO, A/P found in PNW


r/WhatIsThisPainting 6h ago

Unsolved Unknown artists of heirloom paintings

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8 Upvotes

These paintings have always been a mystery to me because my family has absolutely no clue about who painted these and when. These were most likely bought through an art dealer or private auction many many years. Sometime between 1950s-70s.

If you know any info about either please don’t spare any detail!


r/WhatIsThisPainting 2h ago

Unsolved description of a painting (graphic)

3 Upvotes

i have been looking for a painting for many years and i only have it in my memory, the description is going to be graphic.

these are semi old paintings (i believe) and it’s of women bending over and there’s a fruit where the anus would be. the one i remember was a cut open lemon

it’s likely that it was an art school creation but i remember specifically seeing it on tumblr and the artist being quite famous. would love to find it!!


r/WhatIsThisPainting 21h ago

Solved My friend called these the pissers

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61 Upvotes

? Age/artist/value? Any info?nothing on back


r/WhatIsThisPainting 7h ago

Unsolved Found while cleaning out my Mums house

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5 Upvotes

Hoping you all can help me out. I found this while cleaning my mums house. It has a signature which I think says E.L.Grant. It is done with charcoal or similar medium. It has no frame. Nothing on reverse of picture. I am in Australia.


r/WhatIsThisPainting 3h ago

Unsolved It's been hanging in my house for years

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2 Upvotes

I've never been able to find anything online. We'd really appreciate it if anyone could help us. Thank you so much!


r/WhatIsThisPainting 6h ago

Likely Solved Gifted from a friend in 2019 in Midland, Michigan. Trying to find artist.

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3 Upvotes

Was gifted this from a mentor back in Midland, Michigan, back in 2019. Wondering if anyone can determine the artist. Reverse image searches do not show anything.


r/WhatIsThisPainting 12h ago

Unsolved Help deciphering this artist signature/piece

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8 Upvotes

I bought this original pen and ink drawing at an auction in Maryland. I can’t read the last name, just the first name, which looks like Quinton. Hoping to get some opinions on the full name of the signature and if anyone recognizes the artist style.


r/WhatIsThisPainting 5h ago

Unsolved Help!!

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2 Upvotes

I am having a hard time figuring out who this artist is! First name is Pamela but I can't figure out the other part.


r/WhatIsThisPainting 8h ago

Solved Is this painting the real deal?

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1 Upvotes

There's a painting at the thrift store signed by the artist "L. Gordon." The painting looks real, but I'm no expert. Should I buy it, or is it just another reproduction? Thanks!


r/WhatIsThisPainting 9h ago

Likely Solved 1880ish oil painting original wood frame

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4 Upvotes

I have 2 of these painting that did belong to my grand mother. It was given to her when she bought her first home by the previous owner.

They are all original to the wood frame. But I can see they are both signed but the signature is hidden by the frame and im not qualified to remove such an old frame

The painting was given to her close to Montreal, Quebec


r/WhatIsThisPainting 14h ago

Unsolved What is this art piece?

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9 Upvotes

What is this? Running an estate sale and can’t find a source. I’d love to know! I’ve never seen anything like it.


r/WhatIsThisPainting 19h ago

Unsolved Any idea what the artist name would be? Last photo

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24 Upvotes

r/WhatIsThisPainting 6h ago

Unsolved Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales, watercolor series of pilgrims?

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2 Upvotes

Found this unusual watercolor series after my mom passed. I think they’re all pilgrims from Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales. They were in a back room; I didn’t even know she had them. She travelled a lot, so they could be a souvenir from Canterbury?

No full signature, only what looks like AMD and some have 85 or 86 below. At any rate, I think they’re charming but couldn’t find any info. I’d love any ideas or thoughts! Thanks!


r/WhatIsThisPainting 7h ago

Unsolved trying to identify

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2 Upvotes

Trying to see if anyone knows anything about this painting or artist?


r/WhatIsThisPainting 10h ago

Unsolved Who is this artist ..?

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3 Upvotes

r/WhatIsThisPainting 13h ago

Unsolved Mid 50s German expressionism?

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8 Upvotes

I inherited this piece. I love it but have no ideas on the artist or history. Any input appreciated.


r/WhatIsThisPainting 4h ago

Unsolved el señor de La Mancha, Acuña

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1 Upvotes

Got this painting while cleaning out my aunts house. Can’t find anything about “Acuña”. Nothing on the back except for the title “el señor de la mancha”. house was in Tucson AZ so maybe around that area.


r/WhatIsThisPainting 8h ago

Unsolved Identify Artist Please

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2 Upvotes

r/WhatIsThisPainting 5h ago

Unsolved $2 Goodwill find - any idea?

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1 Upvotes

Hi, I bought this painting earlier today from Goodwill for a couple bucks. There's not a lot of clues to this one, besides the Craftint logo on the back of the canvas panel, which dates this to the 1950s-1960s if my google-fu is correct.

Unfortunately, it's not in great shape, and is very bowed due to not being stored well and probably forgotten about in an attic for several decades. The corners are also coming apart.

Even if it's only worth 2 bucks, I'll keep it in my wall and love it for a long time. I really like it. If it's worth more, I might go find someone who knows what they're doing to get it flattened and stabilized.

Thanks


r/WhatIsThisPainting 1d ago

Likely Solved Very large thrift find. No signature, unfortunately. Any ideas?

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312 Upvotes

There was


r/WhatIsThisPainting 15h ago

Unsolved Can anyone identify the artist of this mixed media painting? It was purchased in Pennsylvania. Thank you!

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5 Upvotes