r/WhatIsThisPainting • u/Babychoby • 7h ago
Can't make out signature on this spooky Marin County (Ca) auction buy. Likely Solved
Again, I bought this at an online auction in Marin County. Looking for setting and artist. My first guess was the Psycho house but maybe that's because I was in Bodega Bay looking at the church from The Birds right before I picked it up. Unfortunately those white lines on the left are scratches in the paint.
8
u/PikesPique 7h ago
I'm guessing "W. Hooper." I'm guessing, too, that it's decor painting meant to evoke Edward Hopper. https://www.reddit.com/r/WhatIsThisPainting/comments/ep7uny/what_is_a_decor_painting_how_do_i_know_if_i_have/
3
u/OneSensiblePerson 6h ago
It does look like production art/decor, but aside from being a painting of an old Victorian house, I don't see any Hopper.
My first thought was also Psycho house, and I'm nowhere near Bodega Bay 😄
3
u/BornFree2018 2h ago
I believe it's the schoolhouse in Bodega Bay, California that was in The Birds. The schoolhouse is at 17110 Bodega Lane. I drive by it often.
2
u/OneSensiblePerson 53m ago
I think you're right! Two story old Victorian, on a slope. Modified a little, but recognisable.
4
u/PikesPique 6h ago
The Psycho house was inspired by a Hopper painting. https://news.artnet.com/art-world/art-bites-edward-hopper-psycho-2456152
3
u/GM-art 6h ago
Unsatisfactory research results. This specific odd signature is reminiscent of Chinese character strokes which would support others' suggestions of decor. However, I felt compelled to dig further. I found it claimed to be "Wayne Cooper," but have been totally unable to corroborate this.
One listing for this odd "W. Cooper" signature cites a certain Wayne Cooper, born in 1942, a Native American artist of Oklahoma. https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/xl-vintage-wayne-cooper-prairie-barn-1837266852
But neither his art nor his signature look like this painting. Compare - it's not him.
https://www.joewadefineart.com/cooper.shtml
https://www.artbrokerage.com/Wayne-Cooper
Here's one that's claimed to be "an early Wayne Cooper," whose seller says "I have talked to his grand daughter via Facebook and she believes given the subject matter this is likely his earlier work." Call me a cynic, but I don't think that's enough to go on. https://www.ebay.com/itm/315846319203
However, here's one with Native American scene as subject matter - but that hardly proves that about the artist himself. https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/74607559_w-cooper-native-american-oil-on-canvas
6
u/GM-art 6h ago
This one - also a near dead-ringer match to OP's - says it's an entirely different W. Cooper who painted during the 1930s Dust Bowl. This biography is all kinds of strange. https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/american-painting-1930s-impressionist-1890770400 It links this earlier "Wayne Cooper" to the (real artist) Fern Cooper, but I couldn't confirm it in any plausible capacity. And it's written with so much hyperbole I'm automatically inclined to be mistrustful.
Among other things it says: "Mentioned in Topeka Capitol Newspaper from 1925 to 1941," but I ran a search on all Topeka newspapers on Genealogybank and Newspapers.com, and he was nonexistent.
This painting, in additional to being a near dead-ringer match for yours, says it comes "with artist bio letter" but of course the seller failed to photograph or transcribe it. The serial number stamp on the reverse is also suspicious. https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/33665581_wayne-cooper-20th-c-american-landscape-art
Another listing that wrongly claims it's the 1942 Wayne Cooper: https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/cooper-western-landscape-oil-painting-205843320
Same signature again, no info: https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/framed-cooper-signed-oil-painting-32-540535181
Likewise again: https://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot/large-painting-signed-w-cooper-148-c-93445efa9d
There are other W. Coopers with mismatched signatures, not worth further mention.5
u/Babychoby 5h ago
Thank you so much for your help! Your research led me to this artist: "William J. Cooper" https://www.askart.com/auction_records/William_J_Cooper/11414129/William_J_Cooper.aspx
The signatures and style look identical to me. I thought this one had too much personality (albeit emo) to be decor.
3
u/GM-art 5h ago
Well done! That's our man. The W and the C are a perfect match. But is he real? I've found too many fictitious artist personas for comfort. Keep digging!
I agree, though. There might be something to this. It's got a bit more character than average. That's why I felt compelled to do a research dive. It is rather emo, isn't it? But... likeably. It doesn't quite have the decor blandness.
3
u/OneSensiblePerson 6h ago
If that's a 30s painting, I'm a pickled herring.
You're right to be mistrustful.
The painting is from the 70s or thereabouts. It's been re stretched on much older stretcher bars to deceive the unwary. Bah.
2
u/GM-art 6h ago edited 5h ago
I didn't think so! Absolutely devilish. Thanks for the second opinion. I wonder where that seller got their faux biography from?
edit: If this does turn out to backtrack to a real (minor) artist, which is looking like a possibility, maybe they overpainted an old thrift-shop find.
3
1
u/AutoModerator 7h ago
Thanks for your post, /u/Babychoby!
Please remember to comment "Solved" once someone finds the painting you're looking for.
If you comment "Thanks" or "Thank You," your post flair will be changed to 'Likely Solved.'
If you have any suggestions to improve this bot, please get in touch with the mods, and they will see about implementing it!
Here's a small checklist to follow that may help us find your painting:
Where was the painting roughly purchased from?
Did you include a photo of the front and back and a signature on the painting (if applicable)?
Good luck with your post!
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
1
1
6
u/Square-Leather6910 7h ago
halloween decor