Description, research, and provenance of

Image Recognition with Artificial Intelligence

To investigate this work of art, I used image recognition with artificial intelligence to try to find the first clues. Image recognition, in the context of machine vision, is the ability of software to identify artworks, objects, places, people, shapes, or forms. Computers can use machine vision technologies based on artificial intelligence software to find images similar to the input picture. A specialized program is used to determine whether the front photograph of the artwork is available on the internet. The software takes the picture as an input, compares it with millions of other works in the database, and outputs similar images. This software will be useful later to determine the origin of the art piece. For clatification, the input image is a frontal picture, a straight, leveled and filtered image of your artwork. The results of the automatic recognition are not conclusive. If a match is found, it will be shown below:

What specific information can we obtain from this test?

Signature Investigation

In this part, I study and research the signature of the artwork. I have used a larger picture of the signature and tried to interpret it. In this step, I also consider any signature or information that is located on the back of the artwork. In some cases, we can see a signature on the back or even an identification sticker that can be used to identify the artist.

A picture of the signature and/or back (if relevant) is depicted below:

I can read the signature as:

Carol Grigg

At this point, I can use the signature and try to find the artist’s name in a database of known-listed artists. Basically, it is a database with information about the names, surnames, origins, and biographies of the most well-known artists. The database is really large, so if the artist is known, I can find him/her. Otherwise, the artwork was made by a local, amateur, or unknown artist. Keep in mind that if the artist isn't listed in the database, it is unknown to art collectors (potential buyers of this artwork).

Also, it is important to note that around 98-99% of artworks are made by unknown artists. If I can't find the name in the database, I typically search through online obituaries to try to find the person who made it.

I found that the artist who painted this artist is listed and well known.

Carol Grigg
(1943)

And the her biography is reproduced below:

"Cherokee artist Carol Grigg, inspired by her heritage and beliefs, creates art with a nature motif. Her work focuses on images of horses, birds, or people. A theme in much of Carol Grigg’s original art for sale is Native American riders on horseback, symbolizing Mother Nature. Carol Grigg poster prints infuse Native American history and culture into beautiful pieces that are easily accessible.

While artist Carol Grigg learned some of her techniques from her mother, who was also an artist, she is primarily self-taught. She works with various media, including watercolor, oil, ink, and lithography, but is best known for her desert-hued pastels."

Medium, frame construction, style, and frame

Now that I have more information about the artist, I can check if the style and type of painting match the artist referenced. An artist may change their painting style, scenes, and compositions with time, so I checked similar paintings during the whole lifetime of the artist. In this test, I would expect to find similar known paintings made by this artist. 

Another important point is to date the painting and check if the frame construction technique, medium used, and colors match the lifetime period of the artist. There are many variables in this step, so I will explain this with an example so you can understand the purpose of this part. I check the frame construction for small details, like the type of metallic parts used, if the wood joints and cuts are irregular, or if the wood cuts were machined. Small details can help to determine the age of the painting. For instance, a frame construction that includes modern metallic pieces like flat-head nails, staples, or Phillips-head screws can be dated circa 20th Century. Older frames comprise the use of irregular wood cuts (hand made) and hand forged metallic parts. In some cases, you can see the absence of metallic parts. This is only an example of the frame construction, but I also consider the type of medium used and the color palette. As a reference, a picture of the back of this artwork is included below:

I confirm that the style, signature, colors, and medium used perfectly match other watercolor paintings made by the same artist.

Conclusion

I think this artwork is valuable and could be of interest to art collectors and decorators.

The artwork is of good quality; the composition is harmonious; and the creator chose a distinctive, alluring, and warm color palette. I believe that decorators and/or collectors would be interested in this work of art. Such high-caliber paintings are uncommon.

: Final Appraisal Value ($)

500-600$