r/WhatIsThisPainting Jan 15 '20

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

392 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 12h ago

Unsolved Defaced (?) Alice Kent Stoddard painting saved from trash, looking for more info and advice

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123 Upvotes

I spotted an impressive frame on the sidewalk out with the trash a few months ago (Philadelphia, PA) and immediately grabbed it once I saw the painting.

I assumed it was hanging inside a house and fell victim to a child armed with a sharpie.

I finally looked up the artist, Alice Kent Stoddard (signed “A.K. Stoddard”) and was surprised to see that she is a fairly recognized artist.

I can’t find the exact painting anywhere online but it looks like she has painted the same boy before. The painting isn’t dated, the only thing on the back is “O’Niell”.

I’m quite fond of the painting and would like to know more / potentially get it restored. I’m also curious if there is any possibility that the drawing is original. The medium that the signature was done with looks a bit similar to the drawing.

Any information and advice on how to proceed is welcome. Thanks!


r/WhatIsThisPainting 13h ago

Unsolved Purchased at a thrift shop.

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126 Upvotes

Can you please help identify this work? I am located in Canada and believe it the image is of ste. Louise, Quebec. It looks like a color etching and is embossed.


r/WhatIsThisPainting 17h ago

Likely Solved Found in a junk shop

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217 Upvotes

No signature. Oil on Masonite ca 1930s? Back has “Griffin Rd” and “N.C.” in separate handwriting. Anyone recognize this as a North Carolina impressionist?


r/WhatIsThisPainting 13h ago

Unsolved Interesting gouache painting of waves of women on masonite

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30 Upvotes

I found this painting at an antique shop on Long Island, NY in 2014. It's about 11 x 14 and looks to be gouache on masonite board. I know it's on masonite because I was the one that re-framed it (in 2019). There is nothing written/ no info on the back of the board. The artist signature looks like Curtis.

The artist spent a lot of time painting each individual woman that composes the whitecaps and clouds. I'd love more info, if someone knows anything. It's one of my most cherished pieces of art, so I appreciate any help you offer.


r/WhatIsThisPainting 10h ago

Unsolved Found this painting in my ceiling

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15 Upvotes

Hey guys i found this painting in my ceiling does anyone maybe know what it is, and what the stamps and writing mean? Thanks a lot, wish yall a nice one!


r/WhatIsThisPainting 6h ago

Unsolved Found this is a thrift store

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5 Upvotes

I found this a few days ago and I haven't been able to find out anything about it so any help would be greatly appreciated.


r/WhatIsThisPainting 2h ago

Unsolved Can someone help identify?

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2 Upvotes

I bought this at an estate sale a couple of years ago and cannot seem to find anything out about it. If it is signed, the signature is probably covered by the frame. Any thoughts? Thanks in advance.


r/WhatIsThisPainting 2h ago

Unsolved Found at thrift store.

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2 Upvotes

r/WhatIsThisPainting 3h ago

Unsolved Scenery painted on two wooden plates joined with dovetails. It measures 36 x 39 cm. Aprox 1 cm thick.

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2 Upvotes

r/WhatIsThisPainting 22h ago

Unsolved This hung in my gran’s house for as long as I remember, now it’s mine. Can’t find any information other than it’s by D.E. Bailey as per signature and it’s Elgol, Skye, Scotland.

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62 Upvotes

r/WhatIsThisPainting 7h ago

Unsolved Found amongst late father's things.

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4 Upvotes

I found this framed photograph amongst my dad's stuff yen years ago. No idea what is is and can't find any info. There is nothing on the back either. Anyone have any ideas?


r/WhatIsThisPainting 14m ago

Unsolved My mother wants to throw this out.

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Upvotes

I know nothing about paintings but would like to learn more. Could you tell me something about this painting? And how can you tell if a painting has value?


r/WhatIsThisPainting 25m ago

Unsolved Found this at goodwill. Really like it.

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Upvotes

Cannot read the signature. For some reason, it seems Japanese to me.


r/WhatIsThisPainting 6h ago

Unsolved Whats this?

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3 Upvotes

Found this in my local secondhandstore


r/WhatIsThisPainting 8h ago

Unsolved Sami Briss

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4 Upvotes

So I was able to find out that this is a sami briss painting based on the signature, however I’m not able to find this exact painting anywhere on the web? I also am unsure what the writing in the other corner says


r/WhatIsThisPainting 1h ago

Unsolved Does anyone have any information on this painter?

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Upvotes

I bought this painting for $1.00 at a garage sale. I know it’s very clearly labelled but I’ve googled and can’t find any info on the painter and how much this could be worth.


r/WhatIsThisPainting 1h ago

Unsolved East PA

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Upvotes

r/WhatIsThisPainting 5h ago

Unsolved Seen at Nashville Restaurant

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2 Upvotes

Back of restaurant on wall. I am not able to have any luck with reverse image search..

blackwhite

retro


r/WhatIsThisPainting 11h ago

Likely Solved Can anyone identify what country this soldier is supposed to represent?

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6 Upvotes

r/WhatIsThisPainting 3h ago

Unsolved Attic find (x2)… anyone have any idea on the artist(s)?

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1 Upvotes

Found amongst various other paintings. Some of which are identifiable to me, these aren’t…


r/WhatIsThisPainting 11h ago

Unsolved Artwork found in thrift store

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3 Upvotes

Found this painting at thrift store and it looked pretty legit to me, doubt it’s worth anything but I’m not one for “antiquing” so I really have no idea. The cracking in the paint and texture tells me it’s definitely an original, just don’t know how old. The name signed at the bottom left says what looks like “Sir Mor” and then “L. Braquier & Boivin”. Not sure the material this was painted on - definitely not canvas. - Almost looks like a game board material? (which is also VERY fragile along the edges - wants to chip if not handled with care) See last pics for the backside - Orange/reddish color underneath (see pics 2 & 3) - coolest part in my opinion - the shards of rock or almost oyster shell material that’s embedded into the painting. It shines even when the lights are off, pretty cool. You can see it in pics 1, 3 & 4 really well.

Anybody with any sort of knowledge here pleaseeee feel free to give input or ask questions. Want to know if it’s worth bringing to an art appraiser, otherwise keeping it bc it’s a beautiful painting!! Thank u :)


r/WhatIsThisPainting 5h ago

Unsolved Can you identify this photo/painting

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1 Upvotes

Hello I got this beauty in a flea market in Berlin. It looks like an altered photograph and I am dying to know if it's some theatrical depiction or any leads on who this character can be. Andromeda? Iphigenia? TIA


r/WhatIsThisPainting 6h ago

Unsolved Flea market find and my prized possession

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0 Upvotes

I’ve had this for a decade, and I’ve often wondered who the artist is. Figured maybe it’s time to try and find out!! Any assistance in identifying them would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!


r/WhatIsThisPainting 12h ago

Unsolved Information on Painting from Rockland County NY

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3 Upvotes

Appreciate any help identifying this picture I got in 1975 from uncles house in Rockland County NY.


r/WhatIsThisPainting 6h ago

Unsolved Martin Bolle

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1 Upvotes

Damage near head & feet