Author Topic: Pastel/Chalk Picture  (Read 1790 times)

kdj

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Pastel/Chalk Picture
« 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!

mart

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Re: Pastel/Chalk Picture
« Reply #1 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 !!

Ipcress

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Re: Pastel/Chalk Picture
« Reply #2 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.

Rauville

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Re: Pastel/Chalk Picture
« Reply #3 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/
Someone might be familiar with "MZ".

kdj

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Re: Pastel/Chalk Picture
« Reply #4 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!

mart

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Re: Pastel/Chalk Picture
« Reply #5 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 !!

kdj

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Re: Pastel/Chalk Picture
« Reply #6 on: October 30, 2017, 05:36:07 pm »
Thanks for checking Mart!