Folk Art Ink Water Color on Paper Fraktur Mermaid Bow & Arrow Garnett B. French
Description: A very interesting and unusual framed pen and water color on paper Pennsylvania style fraktur by Garnett B. French. The drawing is of a stylized mermaid with a fan tail holding a bow and an arrow in her hands. The piece is in a primitive wooden frame colored in red or reddish-brown and having blue sponged thick lines. The blue lines are very light and very difficult to see but they are there. The image is covered with glass and has a cardboard backing held with nails and taped with brown tape along the edge of the backing. The mermaid has black hair and a light green, dark green, light red, and yellow colored body. The piece has a wire on the back to be hung. Please see photos presented as they are part and parcel of our description.
Date: Late 20th century.
Origin: Purchased at an estate auction in Lancaster County Pennsylvania, USA.
Size: The fraktur itself measures ~6" by 4 3/4", while the frame measures ~8 1/2" by ~7 1/4" and the piece weighs about 10.5 ounces.
Artist: Garnett B. French.
Marks: Signed lower center Garnett B. French in cursive calligraphy in the lower right corner.
Distinguishing Characteristics - Most Interesting About The Piece: This is a nice and very unusual piece of decorative Pennsylvania Dutch art. It would display very well in your collection or can be used as an accent for your country decor.
Condition: The piece is in good condition with a few stains, a water mark on top above the fan tail and on the bottom near the right corner with some foxing to the paper. The back of the piece has lost the usual brown paper covering the backing but that can be replaced. The frame itself has a few nicks and scratches but nothing to worry about. be that as it may, the piece is still a great example of Pennsylvania Dutch frakturs and would make a great addition to your collection. Please view photos carefully for additional condition information and to appreciate the beauty of this nice piece.
