Hi,
New topic! I have an oil painting on wood signed C. Boizard (bottom left). Someone took it out of the frame because the nail indentations are visible on back or maybe it was built into some cabinetry. The dimensions are 15-3/4" X 1/2" X 25-1/2". On the back it reads: Top by C. Boizard unfinished gold 4 ct, and then maybe "floa".
So if there is a "top", then I may be missing a bottom?
I've done some research on Charles U Boizard and believe this may be the artist. Here's what I know about him:
Charles U. Boizard born 1851 Philadelphia, was a landscape and portrait painter. He is noted as having received some formal training by an itinerant visiting Boizard's father's inn. Boizard is said to have visited relatives in Bethlehem, PA. and done preliminary sketches of this scene of Calypso Island. Another version of this work is held in the collection of the Lehigh University Art Gallery. The University's painting of "Calypso Island" was documented in a 1939 article in White and Brown, Lehigh University newspaper as follows: March 24, 1939 issue of Lehigh University's newspaper Brown and White. F. Emmerson Ivey, great nephew of the painter Charles Boizard. The painting shows a group of men and women in costumes of the 1870's period, boating chatting and gathered in groups around the merry go round. Calypso Island formerly existed in the Lehigh River some distance West of the Hill- to- Hill Bridge. When the Lehigh Valley Railroad straightened its track bed along the river bank, the island was used for filling and consequently disappeared. This island was a favorite resort and the early records of Bethlehem mention many picnics and festivities which were held there. Charles Boizard was born in Philadelphia about 90 years ago. A traveling French artist who was stopping by his father's inn became interested in the boy and taught him the art of painting. Mr. Boizard later made his living painting portraits. Boizard traveled extensively and frequently visited relatives in Bethlehem. It was on one of these visits he made a preliminary sketch for the large painting "Calypso Island". After being exhibited in the art gallery during the month of March, the painting will be hung permanently in one of the University buildings.
Now, I've seen a few of his "possible" paintings which have sold and all are landscapes basically. Calypso island does have some people in the landscape though. However; they are all signed in various ways: Cha U Boizard, C U Boizard, C Boizard, etc.
I'm trying to understand if he signed his paintings in all these ways. How would I do that? My painting is signed C Boizard. How do I confirm it is him?
Oh, and where is the "bottom" to my "top"...just kidding!
