Bill Rank Framed Folk Art Hand Painted Theorem Distelfink Perched on Fruit Bowl
Description: A very decorative and colorful framed oil on velveteen primitive folk art painting depicting a green colored bird (Distelfink), with red wings and red chest, perched on a blue colored bowl filled with fruits. The bowl has peaches, a pear, strawberries, blueberries, red cherries, and a banana. The fruits are very colorful with red, green blue, yellow, and brown. The distelfink itself is green in color with three feathers on top of its head. Its wings are red as is his chest. The bird has a yellow eye and a black beak. A nice and rather common Pennsylvania Dutch decorative subject nicely executed by an accomplished folk art painter. The artwork is signed in the bottom right of center below the edge of the bowl. The painting comes in a wooden frame colored in reddish-brown with brown sponged pattern throughout, again in the most common Pennsylvania Dutch folk art fashion. The artwork is covered with glass for protection. The piece has brown paper backing with a wire across to hang from. The piece is not dated and is signed Bill Rank. Mr. Rank, an artist from Southeastern Pennsylvania, lived in the period 1921-2000. We believe the piece was probably done in the 1970s-1980s. A nice piece of American Folk Art in the best Pennsylvania Dutch tradition to add to your collection. Please carefully review the photos presented as they are part and parcel of our description.
Date: Unknown but probably mid 1970s-1980s. Mr. Rank died in 2000.
Origin: Purchased at an estate auction in Southeastern Pennsylvania, USA
Size: The piece measures ~15 1/2" by ~13 5/8" and weighs about 2 pounds and 10 ounces.
Artist: Bill (William) Rank.
Marks: Signed "Bill Rank" bottom right of center.
Distinguishing Characteristics - Most Interesting About The Piece: This is a very nice decorative piece of folk art in Pennsylvania Dutch style. It would display very well in your collection or can be used as an accent for your home decor.
Condition: The piece is in very good condition. The frame has a few scratches and some minor dings. However, the frame is solid and intact. The art work itself is intact and the colors are vivid and all there. The paper covering on the back appears to have been added to by gluing two small sheets over the original brown paper backing with some curling at a corner or two. It also has a small hole near the bottom center, but is in fine intact condition and the piece is ready to hang. The back is equipped with a wire needed to hang the piece. A great piece, ready to hang on your wall and would be a good addition to your collection of folk art. Please view photos carefully for additional condition information and to appreciate its beauty of this nice piece.
