Notre Dame Paris Nocturne

Look what Kenny found for me!

(ok, technically not for ME because I'm not keeping it...)

I believe it's simply Paris street art, sold to tourists in the 1950's

but someone did write on the back of the frame that is was an

"Important French Artist"

His name? 

PIERRE

Gee, thanks!  That should narrow it down...hahaha

Unfortunately, the piece is not signed other than

"Notre Dame Paris Nocturne"

written along the raw canvas edge

(you know, in case you can't tell that it's Notre Dame, in Paris, at night...)

Whatevs.  It's still really cool!

I'm starting to attain a little collection of 1950's Paris street art...

lucky me!

Michele

Art is subjective, yes?

We purchased some LOVELY pieces from an Estate this weekend...

the inhabitants were enamoured of all things French

Every room was full of French Provincial furnishings

and other lovelies

As you can imagine, I was having a hard time focusing...

who wouldn't?  

We worked out a deal on several pieces

and we were loading up the truck when Kenny said

"I'm surprised you don't want that painting of Paris"

UM...WHAT PAINTING OF PARIS?

This one:

Oh, I wanted it!  I just hadn't seen it...

I was too focused on furniture!

It's HUGE (at least 5ft wide)

After I bought it, I asked about it's history

Turns out, the owners parents had purchased the oil painted canvas

(minus a frame)

from a street artist when they were in Paris in the 1960's

Don't you LOVE that??  

Here are some details:

I just love the moody grey tones

and the watery, soft vibe of the painting

I have no idea if it has any value beyond aesthetic, 

but who cares, really...

I ADORE IT 

and I think I'm keeping it!  

(with a much cooler frame, of course!)

Not to be outdone,

Kenny came home with some original artwork of his own...

BEHOLD:

Now, before you say "oh Michele, it's not THAT bad"

allow me to point out...that is a CORD dangling down in the first photo

Yes, this picture LIGHTS UP

Yes, that is textured paint, too.

It's so kitschy, it's almost cool

ALMOST

And it is technically an original oil painting...

we can pretend the couple purchased it when they were in Venice

(but somehow I doubt it!)

Michele