This painting is an Old Master, dating to the mid 1500's and from Italy. The scene is of St. Michael. The painting itself says so much, from the style of the armor to the way it is painted. This painting will certainly teach me about the world of art! I have begun researching this to determine authorship. This is my favorite project!

November 17, 2010
Research material has begun to arrive. Started going through Helene Sicotte's work about the W. Scott & Sons gallery in Montreal. Her work is titled, "L'implantation de la galerie d'art a Montreal: le cas de W. Scott & Sons, 1859 - 1914. Comment la revision du concept d'œuvre d'art autorisa la specialisation du commerce d'art". An amazing two volume work - all in French! Definitely need some translation help!

June 23, 2011
I had placed this project on the back burner for a while. It is still something of great interest to me. Thanks to my local library, I collected an amazing amount of material. Still all in French. Last month I received a call from a gentleman in London. He commented that he will be flying to NYC and would like to arrange a viewing of the painting. I will definitely keep you updated on my progress.

June 24, 2011
I got in touch with a UK armor society. They will be doing some research on the armor. Check back to see what they think!

This is a painting by Anatoli Belkin, signed with his monogram and dated. I'd like to know what the writing says and why he painted this image.

November 2, 2010
The painting is filled with Russian words. After a bit of research we've uncovered a lot about the artist and the painting. The painting does depict a samovar and tea is a very popular drink in Russia. There is also a lot more going on in the painting. The top word does read Tea and then the word This. I am still wondering if this is a play on words. Still researching. The rest of the words have a real political meaning. The name at the top is Vladimir Mayakovsky. He lived from 1883 to 1930 and was an important figure in Russian poetry. His life and works are filled with controversy, triumph and tragedy. And just under his name is the word for Very Good. And, about that newspaper. PRAVDA is quite recognizable. What is less recognizable is the play on words. By adding a couple letters before and after the word for Pravda, Mr. Belkin has transformed the word for truth to the word for Injustice. Just next to the word Pravda, are the words Workers of the World Unite. I am still researching more. Thought you'd like to see our update!

The three works by Eugene Andrew Agafonoff on my site, while signed, still present a mystery. I'd like to know more about the story that each represents, why they were all painted at a large scale and who commissioned them.

This painting is signed only with a monogram, LS. I'd like to know more about this painting, starting with the artist. Also, the frame is exceptionally beautiful - hand carved and hand gilt. I'd like to know who crafted the frame as well.

This painting is unsigned. The scene is truly intriguing. I'd like to know who the artist is and what he or she was saying with this scene.

November 2, 2010
Imagine you're a college student during the Civil War. Your college in Virginia is turned into a hospital to care for the wounded. Whether Northern or Southern, your place of higher learning is now a place to heal. As a college student you are not sure what to do, but something inside you says stay here and help. So that's what you do. You become a nurse during one of the bloodiest conflicts in history. Soon a Union Captain comes into your care. He was captured by the Confederate Forces after being very badly wounded. The best way you have to ease his pain, is to play your violin. So you do. Playing for the wounded officer for many hours. Falling in love. After a time, the Captain asks you to play another tune because he feels his time is near. You play. He passes. Just a few short weeks later you, too, pass. These were unforgiving times. And now the legend has it that the ghost of that young woman plays her violin longingly. This all happened at the Martha Washington College in Abingdon, Virgina. The college has since become an Inn, The Martha Washington Inn. And the very popular room 403 is where this all happened! I'm still researching to figure out the artist. Thought you'd like to know the update!

June 23rd, 2011
This project was put on the back burner for a while. Just last night I had the idea to contact the PBS show History Detectives. They often ask for viewer submissions of story ideas. I think this painting is the perfect candidate. It has ties to the US Civil War, The Martha Washington College, ghost stories and a love story. I hope they find it as exciting as I do.