I have a mistery painting that I would like to find out some details
about. I would like to know the full name of the painter, approximate
date, country, subject and title, approximate current value and any
other detail. The painting has been in the U.S. for a while, some of
the time possibly in a casino in Arizona. It has been auctioned at
least once in Scottsdale, AZ within the last 7 years or less. Size:
72" X 48", oil on canvas, original
(http://members.cox.net/ept1/index.htm)

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Request for Question Clarification by politicalguru-ga on 01 Jul 2005 00:09 PDT

Dear Pacific Pride, 

No Researcher would be able to tell you for certainty, without having
a very close look at the painting, what it is. A closer look would be
not only at the style and signature (which is what we're able to do
through the Internet), but also at the type of materials used.

There are in fact some artists that would probably match the style and
the signature on this painting. However, the fact that it looks like
something produced by a certain artist, does not imply that it cannot
be a replica or a forgery of their works, or just a successful
immitation of their style. This is something that a closer inspection
would probably detect.

I could propose something else: a list of places - in your area and/or
those specialise in this style and period - that could provide you
with this service (by having a closer inspection). Would you like that
as an answer? (If you do, please tell me your state - is still in the
US - or a big city in your area).

You may get a good answer here, but my own recommendation is to take
it to a competent auction house and get an appraisal. You might also
be able to get an appraisal (or least, at referral) from a museum or a
university-based art-department. You also might take to the Antiques
Road Show, if it comes to town near you.

Good luck.

I believe this is a painting from a member of the Solomon family,
which painted in London during the early to mid 1800's.  Abraham,
Simeon and Rebecca were all quite accomplished artists during this
period.  I tend to believe this is Abrahams work, as it is very
similar in style to his other works. Here are a few links:

http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/RAsolomon.htm

http://collections.ic.gc.ca/bulletin/num9-10/lowe1.html#lowe1_image1.html

http://www.oceansbridge.com/art/customer/home.php?cat=1924&maincat=S

I believe that it is unfair to Abraham Solomon (the one Ryanfields
mentions)  to suggest that he painted the questioner's 6 by 4 foot
piece.  Abraham's works seem to be all smaller paintings, very
realistic  - if also very romantic -  of 19th century English scenes,
very much more carefully painted than the questioner's piece (sorry).
This is a fanciful work, call it "Mozart playing at the court in
Salzburg", someone's imaginary idea.  The faces are all so similar
that one has to wonder if he used just one girl as a model for all of
them, ditto for the men.
If it has a theme  - my suggestion for a title -  this seems quite
secondary to the first glance at the girls.
Politicalguru-ga may be correct that it could be a copy of an original
that presented the theme more clearly  (recalling von Menzel's
painting, "The Flute Concert" with Frederick the Great).
Without being any kind of art expert  - though exposed to much from
decades in Europe -  I would venture to say that it is not an
historical work of significant age, but, of course, there is a market
for original, signed paintings.

Pacifictrade-ga,
I expect from your user name that you are in "the trade" and hope that
you do not feel that my comment is belittling the painting.  This is
just one man's opinion and certainly not an answer to your question.

Myoarin