How do I identify the artist?

Look for handwritten signatures, monograms, or dates inscribed directly into the wet paint or onto the margin of the paper support. These inscriptions often match recorded nineteenth and twentieth-century painters listed in historical art directories. Additional clues appear on the reverse of the canvas, board, or frame, where artists frequently wrote their name, the title of the view, or exhibition details in pencil or ink.

What is the difference between oil and watercolour?

Oil paintings utilise pigments suspended in drying oils applied to canvas, wood panels, or boards, creating a rich surface with substantial depth. Watercolours employ water-soluble pigments on paper supports, resulting in a luminous, transparent finish that requires protection behind glass. Oils generally allow for heavier impasto textures and rework, whereas watercolours demand swift, deliberate application of washes.

How should I hang these paintings?

Select an interior wall protected from direct sunlight and excessive moisture to prevent fading of pigments and degradation of paper or canvas supports. Secure the frame using appropriate wall fixings rated for the combined weight of the artwork and its original housing. Maintain stable room temperatures to avoid wood warping on panel paintings or tension fluctuations in stretched canvases.

Are original frames important?

Period frames provide historical context and aesthetic harmony intended by the maker or contemporary framer. Original gilt wood or moulded surrounds often bear gallery labels or maker stamps that add documentary value to the piece. While paintings can be reframed for conservation reasons, retaining the original housing preserves the complete historical object.