My wife just returned from her weekly perusal of the local yard sales-and returned with a possible treasure!
It is an oil painting (about 20"x 24") of a pastel landscape-signed by the artist (“H”. or “K” Winegar (or Winugar); dated 1904. On the back is a note "From the estate of William Van Duzer Lawrence; President Best and Company). The frame is very high quality hardwood gilt, bearing the name of Jacob Hefner & Co., Metz Building, Grand Rapids Michigan.
The painting is in perfect condition-and I Googled Lawrence-he was a real estate multimillionaire in 19th Century NYC (he founded and developed the village of Bronxville). I think the painting may be valuable-but I cannot find any artist by this name-how should I research this?
There was an artist named Anna Winegar who was born in 1867.
Read here for more about Lawrence and the planned artists’ communities of Lawrence Park and Bronxville, home to many “American Renaissance” artists including Anna Winegar.
I’d bet an Anna Winegar is what you’ve got, and yes, I wouldn’t be surprised if it was worth something, although my personal expertise and familiarity with art valuation is nil. Paging Prof. Pepperwinkle!
Thanks so much! This is getting interesting-perhaps I should see a local art dealer!