Antique-shop.com

Antiques! => Antique Questions Forum => Topic started by: kdj on October 28, 2017, 08:42:50 pm

Title: Pastel/Chalk Picture
Post by: kdj on October 28, 2017, 08:42:50 pm
Hello, I am hoping someone will recognize either the initials or style of this pastel/chalk picture.
There is an M Z in the right bottom corner. The name Beckstrom is penciled on the back. There is a partial word/name prior to Beckstrom. (see picture)
I have done the usual research and have come up with nothing for M Z nor Beckstrom.
This is an old picture. The picture has been removed from the frame. The fit was so close there is chalk on the glass!
I bought it about a week ago in the Twin Cities, MN area.
Thank you for your ideas about the artist if any!
Title: Re: Pastel/Chalk Picture
Post by: mart on October 29, 2017, 10:19:46 am
Artists that expect to make money from their work will never sign with initials !! That is a sure sign of a hobbyist !!  Can you imagine walking into an art gallery and asking to see a painting by "M Z" ??  Art is name recognition,, if they do not know your name,,you may as well quit now !!  What if Norman Rockwell just signed N R,, no one would know him today !!
And the back is "Mrs. Beckstrom !!
Title: Re: Pastel/Chalk Picture
Post by: Ipcress on October 29, 2017, 12:16:59 pm
Albrecht Durer signed with a monogram. Matisse sometimes did. Wassily Kandinsky...

Plenty of famous artists used monograms.
Title: Re: Pastel/Chalk Picture
Post by: Rauville on October 29, 2017, 02:33:55 pm
It's a longshot, but you might try contacting the local pastel group.
http://www.lakecountrypastelsociety.org/ (http://www.lakecountrypastelsociety.org/)
Someone might be familiar with "MZ".
Title: Re: Pastel/Chalk Picture
Post by: kdj on October 29, 2017, 08:33:41 pm
WOW - I did not know of this Lake Country Pastel Society! Thank you for that link.
It is difficult to see in a picture of this chalk work but I held a magnifying glass to the blossoms on the tree and whether it is by design or not I was very surprised to see a 3 dimensional depth in the tree - a layering of branches and blossoms.
Thanks again for the link!
Title: Re: Pastel/Chalk Picture
Post by: mart on October 30, 2017, 02:42:22 pm
Layering is done in all paint forms !!  There is no record of any artist that used these initials !!
Title: Re: Pastel/Chalk Picture
Post by: kdj on October 30, 2017, 05:36:07 pm
Thanks for checking Mart!