Some paintings I need to know more about as answer from before was not right?

Question

One with a waterfall is a painting by Moran 1922 it is dated.About frame size, that was hidden behind the painting shown in the other picture.The other painting has no name,date or anything.Just know it was in front of the Moran painting.Also I have included a picture of an old piano in fairly good shape.It was from the Boston Piano Company I think.Any help on these items or info would be great.Values are appreciated as well but really just curious about them.Thanks~!

Moran
http://img149.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=49226_2559043570055544444xjCJUL_ph_122_21lo.jpg
Lady and kids
http://img174.imagevenue.com/view.php?image=49231_2561692260055544444SnXYzD_ph_122_256lo.jpg
Piano
http://img173.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=49232_2323239630055544444MAtLsC_ph_122_249lo.jpg

OK,have alot of different opinions on this.All these are originals based on my knowledge.The Moran is dated 1922 and as you know he died I think in 1926 or so.It is signed in bottom left Moran NA. 1922.Which it seems is the way he signed many of his paintings.As for the other,it is an oil painting it seems but as I said,no date,no name but original.And the Moran was hidden behind this painting for who knows how long.The Piano is jsut a pinao.Not much really to it.Dont really care just thought soemone might know something.But these paintings have me very curious cause many of you seem to have so many different opinions on this.

Answer 1

First off, if you're hoping that these old works of art are worth a lot of money I can't help you there. You have to understand that for every artist who becomes famous and who's paintings sell for millions of dollars there are a thousand artists who don't become famous and who's work won't command much money.

The first painting, the 'Waterfall' painting, looks very much like it was done by a beginner or amateur. That doesn't mean it's not pretty to look at or not worth keeping if you happen to like it. It simply means that, at least to me, the craftsmanship isn't that well developed.

The second painting, the one with the woman and children is a different story. It's hard to tell from the photograph you took, because of the glare from the camera flash you used, if it's an actual original painting or simply a print. (Try photographing it again in natural light without having to use a flash) If it's an actual original painting then you have a painting that displays the work of a true artistic craftsman, someone with much more developed talent than the waterfall painter. If it's an original painting then there's a good chance it has a high value.

As to the piano, you can do a history search yourself and find out a lot about the piano, starting with the company that made the piano. Records and dates will have been kept and you can find histories of all American piano makers, including the Boston Piano Company, in public libraries and probably on-line.

Answer 2

Is that a genuine Moran? Thomas Moran, not one of his brothers? He was called the Yellowstone Painter. When our country was being founded and explored for the first time- the west anyways, landscape painters like Moran and Bierstadt painted grand scenes of the west and exhibited them in the East so people could see what America looked like.

That's very impressive (and valuable)! He was a very notable landscape painter during the late 1800's. I wouldn't sell that, but I would suggest having a conservator look at it and have it appraised for insurance sake.

That will only become more valuable in the future, as his reputation is solidified. It is a handsome landscape painting.

Answer 3

Your painting with the waterall is a print, the artist is "Thomas Moran"....alot of these prints were made and sold through small dept stores all over America from the 1930S until the late 1960s. the piano picture is an advertisement for the boston piano company (most likely).......Thomas Moran is probably one of America's most famous artists, the piece you have was painted by him while he was in Italy after he had visited yellowstone park, returned to italy and then come back to America. there is a very interesting story of this in his bio. hope this helps.

Answer 4

The paintings are not valuable. The waterfall painting may be by 'Moran' but it is NOT Thomas Moran. He was a master painter and that waterfall picture is poor at best.

The second 'painting' is a print. Also, unfortunately worthless.

The piano looks nice. If you had it fully restored and reconditioned, it should be worth a bit.