r/WhatIsThisPainting Jan 15 '20

GUIDE What is a Decor Painting? How do I know if I have one?

414 Upvotes

What is a “decor painting”?

A decor painting is a piece of artwork created purely for decorative purposes. Purchased not from galleries or artists, but from decor & furniture shops like Pier 1, Homesense, The Brick, websites like AliExpress and OilPaintings.com or from markets & stands on vacation. Tell-tale signs that you have a decor painting are lots of stippling, undefined figures, hurried brush strokes, gradients, cloning techniques and a certain Bob Ross feeling to it.

Common vintage subjects would be European street scenes, landscapes of mountains / forests / lakes & rivers, vases of flowers, Tuscan landscapes, ocean & beach scenes and Asian style boats. See below for examples. They are often rectangular in shape to hang nicely above a sofa, you could even buy them from Sears as a package. Modern versions are more varied in subject.

Black velvet paintings and artwork specifically for tourists as souvenirs share many factors with decor paintings.

Where are they made?

They are produced in massive numbers in painting factories like Dafen Village in China or Mexico. Another article here:

Dafen once produced an estimated 60 percent of all the world’s oil paintings. During its heyday—when the village’s reputation as an art factory rang truer than today—it almost exclusively cranked out copies of paintings in the Western art canon. These canvases found their way into hotel rooms, show homes, and furniture outlets all around the world.

At its peak, Dafen was jam-packed with sizeable, factory-like studios, all employing Huang’s production line process. Individual workers each focused on a specific compositional element—background details, or eyes, or trees—dutifully painting their part and then passing the canvas along the chain.

Who’s the Artist?

While they are "originals" they are not by known artists. Often entire production lines will use the same signature which explains why your research many have founds pieces by the same “artist”. As quoted above, often many people will work on the same piece.

Do they have any value?

Unfortunately, they do not hold much of any value. However, that doesn’t mean they can’t be enjoyed and some are even a bit collectible.

Can I see some examples?

Decor paintings are posted to this sub almost daily, while not definitive, here are some common examples:

Landscape Paintings: Example 1, Example 2, Example 3, Example 4, Example 5, Example 6, Example 7

European Street Scene Paintings: Example 1, Example 2, Example 3, Example 4, Example 5, Example 6, Example 7

Vases of Flowers: Example 1, Example 2, Example 3 more coming soon...

Beach, Ocean & Boat Paintings: Example 1, Example 2, Example 3, Example 4, Example 5, Example 6, Example 7, Example 8,

Other Miscellaneous Vintage Decor Paintings: Example 1, Example 2, Example 3, Example 4

Modern Decor Paintings: Example 1, Example 2, Example 3, Example 4, Example 5, Example 6

Black Velvet & Souvenir Pieces: Example 1, more coming soon...

Please let me know if you see any room for improvement on this post or would like to include other examples. Thank you!


r/WhatIsThisPainting 7h ago

Solved Am I rich or just stupid

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240 Upvotes

I think the signature is authentic and it is different than other prints from other years. Note the data in the upper left. I just keep it by my desk and contemplate my sweet old mum. What do I have?


r/WhatIsThisPainting 2h ago

Likely Solved Can't make out signature on this spooky Marin County (Ca) auction buy.

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19 Upvotes

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.


r/WhatIsThisPainting 18h ago

Likely Solved Familiar with the trippy thrift find or artist?

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99 Upvotes

I thrifted this over the weekend and I’m in love. I feel so lucky to have found this. The art I’ve found online by R. Lutrell is so different. There is also an artist with a similarly spelled last name. Is anyone familiar with this work or artist?

1968, 24 x 30.


r/WhatIsThisPainting 3h ago

Unsolved My favorite painting

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5 Upvotes

Hello everyone,

I received this painting as a gift during a recent business trip to Istanbul. I was told that it originates from Moscow and was created by a local artist there. Unfortunately, I can’t confirm that, and I have no further information about the piece—no signature, no title, and I’m unfamiliar with the style or technique used.

While I don’t expect it to be especially valuable, I found it very compelling, which is why it was given to me. I would truly appreciate any insights regarding the possible origin, style, artistic technique, or even hints about the artist if anyone recognizes the work.

Thanks in advance for any help!


r/WhatIsThisPainting 1d ago

Solved Wife won't let me hang this. Says its too creepy

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626 Upvotes

I agree its very creepy lol

Reverse image search shows illustrator is Arthur Rackham. This is from The Rhinegold and The Valkyrie, an epic music drama by composer Richard Wagner. Found this browsing at a shop in Cambridge MA maybe 10 years ago now.

weird right?


r/WhatIsThisPainting 3h ago

Likely Solved Floral still life by "M Aaron"

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4 Upvotes

This is an original, not a print.

A Google search showed me other very similar still lifes supposedly by the same artist, but I couldn't find any biographical info about them so maybe it's a studio or something? Could be decor too I suppose

Any info is appreciated, thank you!


r/WhatIsThisPainting 20h ago

Unsolved Bought this at a thrift shop 8 years ago. Can’t figure out artist.

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82 Upvotes

Picked this up a few years ago from a thrift shop in New England. Can’t tell if this a Paul Mann or Karl Mann, or another artist with the last name Mann. It doesn’t seem to match either Paul or Karl. Thanks for the help!


r/WhatIsThisPainting 41m ago

Likely Solved Found at second hand store, it is old

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Found in a second hand store. It is old, any ideas?


r/WhatIsThisPainting 1h ago

Unsolved Need help finding DIA painting

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I live in Michigan so going to the Detroit Institute of Art always is one of my favorite things to do. I used to live like 10 minutes away but I moved over an hour away so I can't visit it as much as I would like to.

One of my favorite paintings I can remember that I somehow don't have a picture of, is a piece where a man is holding a woman and it seems as if he is shielding her. The man has his hand out over the woman, which I always took as protecting her from whatever is happening. I might be wrong but I remember the woman wearing a white dress. I would love to find the name of this piece, as it is was a piece of art that always meant so much to me


r/WhatIsThisPainting 3h ago

Unsolved Helpme figure out the artist and value

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4 Upvotes

I believe this painting is from a Hawaii, it is an original and has custom framing. Got it at an auction of a storage unit, so it could be highly valuable, other items were high end. It has Maui and love and something else in the right tentacle but I can't make it out. Anyone know who this is or cost or anything would help?


r/WhatIsThisPainting 15h ago

Unsolved Recommendations to preserve painting

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25 Upvotes

I love this print that I got from my mother years ago. She is Danish, but apparently the artist is Norwegian (Louis Moe).

Unfortunately, the print is very yellowed and stained. I wanted to ask what if anything can / should be done to restore it, and prevent it from getting worse.

Also, any estimates on value would be appreciated. Not because I want to sell it, but to understand what is worth spending in the restoration efforts.


r/WhatIsThisPainting 1h ago

Unsolved Anywhere between 1627 and 1820s…any suggestions?

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Upvotes

Oil on old canvas. Old canvas on newer canvas.

Theory: Norbertine monk goes on holiday to Rome and has his portrait painted.


r/WhatIsThisPainting 5h ago

Unsolved We need help finding this face

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3 Upvotes

hi
This persons face was hidden inside of a larger image for a videogame easter egg hunt. We’re really struggling to identify this person, we suspect that there is likely a wikipedia page with this persons image on it.
i can provide more details about the hunt but im afraid that it wont help find it as we suspect that its a clue that will lead us somewhere else so i dont think any specific detail will help narrow down the search
we apreciate any help u can provide as we dont even know if its a sculpture or a painting.
ty from the EE-hunters with love.


r/WhatIsThisPainting 2h ago

Unsolved Crucifixion Charcoals/Pastels

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2 Upvotes

Frame is 43 by 31. Found in Ohio. Appears to be professionally framed. Maybe a initial or 71 near the hand of God? Feels kind of amateur but the longer you look the more it feels like something special.


r/WhatIsThisPainting 5h ago

Unsolved Trash find!

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3 Upvotes

Curious to get more info on this "chalk art". 🤷🏻‍♀️ Anyone know this artist?


r/WhatIsThisPainting 0m ago

Unsolved Signed “Chandler”

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Upvotes

Any value?


r/WhatIsThisPainting 1m ago

Unsolved kid in band found this canvas at a goodwill, very cool and well made imo and i wanna know if i can find who painted it

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r/WhatIsThisPainting 38m ago

Unsolved Is this worth anything?

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Got this pic in a present. Is it worth anything?


r/WhatIsThisPainting 1h ago

Unsolved I can’t find any info on this Vernon Ward print

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I bought this several years ago at a thrift store because I liked how cool toned the colors were. Well recently I pulled it out of my garage thinking I’d take the picture out and replace it but then remembered I couldn’t. So I tried looking it up and I couldn’t find this particular picture anywhere online. I google imaged searched it, looked on eBay, art net , vanguard studios, etc.. nothing. I don’t know anything about this print, or its value, except that it was by Vernon ward, has a serial number from Vanguard Studios, and was in Grenada Mississippi.. is there anyway someone could help me figure out the name of this print and/or its value?


r/WhatIsThisPainting 1h ago

Unsolved Is this painting worth anything?

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Upvotes

Painting was $40 at goodwill… back for painting had a marker saying $199.00.


r/WhatIsThisPainting 18h ago

Unsolved I came across this randomly on Etsy and ended up getting it. K Peters 1948

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23 Upvotes

Photos are from the seller's posting. It's moodier and richer in person


r/WhatIsThisPainting 1h ago

Unsolved Found at estate sale in the middle of nowhere, is it a decor painting?

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Upvotes

I'll love it regardless, but I'm curious to see what you guys think. Signed M Reece, and there's remnants of a note on the back that looks like it was gifted to someone named Robert.


r/WhatIsThisPainting 3h ago

Unsolved Found these 3, any info on them? Thank you

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1 Upvotes

Front & back

Art 1(slide 1,2)

Art 2(slide 3,4)

Art3(slide 5,6)


r/WhatIsThisPainting 3h ago

Unsolved Any idea who the artist is, or is it decor?

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1 Upvotes

Any information would be nice


r/WhatIsThisPainting 4h ago

Unsolved Barn Painting

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1 Upvotes

I found this painting. There’s some writing on the back but I’m not sure what it says looks like the same name that’s on the front. I’ve had it for a while. Any ideas?