Where is the best place to go to do research on a painting I inherited if I dont know the painters full name?

Question

I inherited an origional oil painting - signed "Tobias."

I already know it is NOT "Theo Tobiasse"

I put pics of the painting up on my server:

http://www.scalesandrhythm.com/snr/art

Any ideas who he may be?

What resources can I use online to find out the painter?

Answer 1

If you have a ballpark idea of when the painting was made, (within a decade,) and the country or origin, It would be helpful. You can go to a large library or a museum library, there is a huge standard desk reference for artists. Sorry, the name escapes me.
If your artist was a professional, a well known art teacher, someone represented by an art gallery, or someone who has work in a museum, you may find him or her. It is entirely possible that is by a talented amateur, and your trail may go cold.

Answer 2

It says right on the painting it was done in '77. The signiture actually looks familier.Huh.

The style is similar to Sandra Tobias. But she would have been pretty young then , LOL!. If the painting was ever evaluated for insurance purposes there may be a record of that. Also, check with galleries in the area where the person lived that you inherited this from . It may be from somewhere else but it is a sensible place to start.

Good luck!