How do I research old oil on canvas paintings?

[clovis97]

This past weekend, I bought five oil paintings at an estate sale.

Four of the paintings are oil on canvas, and one is oil on masonite, I think. I think they are really old, at least pre-war, but probably much older than that.

None of the paintings are signed, they are dirty, and have been cut from their stretchers/frame. The positive side is that the oil is still well bonded for the most part, and that they've been stored flat over the years.

My plan was to sell them at a flea market, but I want to make double sure that I'm not selling something really valuable. It would kill me to watch Antiques Roadshow some night and listen to someone say "I bought these at a flea market in Indiana. I can't believe they are worth $20,000 each!"

I really doubt they are worth much.

Thoughts? Ideas? Suggestions? Comments?

 

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[famous turtle treasures]

Here are clovis97's paintings.

 

[clovis97]

Famous...THANK YOU for posting those for me!!!!!!

 

[goldinmypan]

Sorry don't know who the artest but before you try to make a little bread from them, use a little bread to clean them. Buy a loaf of unsliced white bread and tear out the inside and wipe down your paintings. Then just dust off. The bread will pick up most of the dust and dirt. Won't take off stains but with the loose dirt off the painting should look much brighter.

 

[SEANO]

Sorry don't know who the artest but before you try to make a little bread from them, use a little bread to clean them. Buy a loaf of unsliced white bread and tear out the inside and wipe down your paintings. Then just dust off. The bread will pick up most of the dust and dirt. Won't take off stains but with the loose dirt off the painting should look much brighter.

That's a new one to me. Interesting. Love to see my wife's face when I fired-up that trick.

 

[clovis97]

I have a Swedish friend, who told me about an old cathedral that was being restored, and they used loaves of bread to clean all the surfaces of the marble and stone. They even had a baker create a certain type of white bread for the restoration, and they delivered it each day to the cathedral.

It was the most gentle substance they could find that was environmentally friendly.

I never thought about using bread on these paintings!!!!