Lot 153: Mid-20th Century Continental School Expressionist Street Scene Oil on Canvas
A vertical architectural street scene executed in oil on canvas, presented in a portrait orientation. The composition depicts a steeply raked alleyway or staircase flanked by weathered, multi-storey buildings. The architecture is characterised by textured facades in ochre and brown tones, punctuated by muted green shutters and various rooftop antennae. A patch of autumnal foliage is visible in the upper left corner, set against a turbulent, grey-blue sky. The artist has employed a heavy impasto technique, using both brush and palette knife to create a thick, sculptural paint surface that emphasises the aged masonry and rugged terrain. An indistinct signature is present in the lower right corner; however, the characters are fragmented and are not legible as a name. The work is housed in a contemporary double frame comprising a cream-coloured inner liner and a metallic-toned outer moulding.
Condition report:
The painting appears in good overall condition. The canvas is securely stretched and retains good tension. The impasto paint surface is stable with no evidence of significant paint loss, flaking, or craquelure. The varnish layer has slightly darkened with age, and there is a light accumulation of surface dust. The frame shows minor signs of handling but remains structurally sound.
Share this lot: