Most people enjoy receiving a beautiful bouquet of flowers, and roses seem to carry that little something special. Collecting paintings depicting floral arrangements will ensure that your home abounds with floral arrangements at all times. Doesn’t that sound wonderful? Some people have been collecting for years, whereas others are just starting out. The following are some tips for beginners, and perhaps a refresher for those with a burgeoning knack for assembling a fine collection.
Train your eye to recognize value.
According to Gay Van Beek, floral painting aficionado and head “Romantic” at www.canterburycottagedesigns.com, “When looking to purchase an antique oil on canvas, you need to inspect both the front of the painting and the back of the canvas. The painting on the front will be crackled with age, sometimes with small holes and even tears that have been repaired by placing tape over them from the back. The back of the canvas on an older painting will be dark tan to dark brown in color and stained with age. The canvas on a newer painting will be just slightly yellowed or all white. Recognize the finish, the feel of the canvas and even the smell of the aging paint.”
Start by purchasing a few inexpensive prints.
Ms. Van Beek adds, “Antique oils on canvas are becoming increasingly difficult to find, and most amateur collectors love the old patina of the paintings as much as the roses themselves. The dark backgrounds add a punch of color to any home décor and look particularly stunning when placed against an all‐white palette.”
Study resources as much as possible.
Visit museums, exhibits and by all means talk to artists and other collectors. Not only will you gain knowledge, you might establish a meaningful friendship.
Ms. Van Beek explains, “Many rose artists today fashion their paintings after the American painter Paul de Longpre. Although he was born in Lyon, France, de Longpre is classified as an American painter because most of his work was completed in the Los Angeles, California, area. His home and lavish gardens were the first tourist site in Hollywood and, because his gardens were so beautiful, he was often called the King of Flowers. De Longpre is most known for his “yard‐long” paintings (long, narrow paintings) that are very popular today.”
Get as much hands on experience as possible.
In conclusion, she professes, “If the painting is framed, the best way to determine the age of the painting is to remove the frame. Is the canvas nailed to the stretcher? Pre‐1915 canvases were always nailed while their newer counterparts were stapled. Check the nails—are they shiny? If so, there’s still a good chance it’s old and was just re-stretched. The wood on the back of the stretcher of a true antique painting should be very dark. The darker the wood, the older the painting is. It is rare, but occasionally the original label will be intact indicating who sold the painting, where it was auctioned, or the art gallery from which it originated.”
You’re all set to start your floral painting collection, or continue your current assemblage with an expanded expertise. We want to thank Ms. Gay Van Beek for her wonderful contributions and expertise in this niche of collectibles.
A huge “Thank you” goes out to you from Romantic Homes Magazine. We appreciate you.
Access this helpful guide for more information on what to look for when considering the purchase of an antique painting at http://www.collectorsguide.com/fa/fa005.shtml
May