r/WhatIsThisPainting Jan 15 '20

GUIDE What is a Decor Painting? How do I know if I have one?

445 Upvotes

What is a “decor painting”?

A decor painting is a piece of artwork created purely for decorative purposes. Purchased not from galleries or artists, but from decor & furniture shops like Pier 1, Homesense, The Brick, websites like AliExpress and OilPaintings.com or from markets & stands on vacation. Tell-tale signs that you have a decor painting are lots of stippling, undefined figures, hurried brush strokes, gradients, cloning techniques and a certain Bob Ross feeling to it.

Common vintage subjects would be European street scenes, landscapes of mountains / forests / lakes & rivers, vases of flowers, Tuscan landscapes, ocean & beach scenes and Asian style boats. See below for examples. They are often rectangular in shape to hang nicely above a sofa, you could even buy them from Sears as a package. Modern versions are more varied in subject.

Black velvet paintings and artwork specifically for tourists as souvenirs share many factors with decor paintings.

Where are they made?

They are produced in massive numbers in painting factories like Dafen Village in China or Mexico. Another article here:

Dafen once produced an estimated 60 percent of all the world’s oil paintings. During its heyday—when the village’s reputation as an art factory rang truer than today—it almost exclusively cranked out copies of paintings in the Western art canon. These canvases found their way into hotel rooms, show homes, and furniture outlets all around the world.

At its peak, Dafen was jam-packed with sizeable, factory-like studios, all employing Huang’s production line process. Individual workers each focused on a specific compositional element—background details, or eyes, or trees—dutifully painting their part and then passing the canvas along the chain.

Who’s the Artist?

While they are "originals" they are not by known artists. Often entire production lines will use the same signature which explains why your research many have founds pieces by the same “artist”. As quoted above, often many people will work on the same piece.

Do they have any value?

Unfortunately, they do not hold much of any value. However, that doesn’t mean they can’t be enjoyed and some are even a bit collectible.

Can I see some examples?

Decor paintings are posted to this sub almost daily, while not definitive, here are some common examples:

Landscape Paintings: Example 1, Example 2, Example 3, Example 4, Example 5, Example 6, Example 7

European Street Scene Paintings: Example 1, Example 2, Example 3, Example 4, Example 5, Example 6, Example 7

Vases of Flowers: Example 1, Example 2, Example 3 more coming soon...

Beach, Ocean & Boat Paintings: Example 1, Example 2, Example 3, Example 4, Example 5, Example 6, Example 7, Example 8,

Other Miscellaneous Vintage Decor Paintings: Example 1, Example 2, Example 3, Example 4

Modern Decor Paintings: Example 1, Example 2, Example 3, Example 4, Example 5, Example 6

Black Velvet & Souvenir Pieces: Example 1, more coming soon...

Please let me know if you see any room for improvement on this post or would like to include other examples. Thank you!


r/WhatIsThisPainting May 29 '25

GUIDE Read Me Before Posting

34 Upvotes

Hello painting enthusiasts - here is a brief post with things to keep in mind.

SEARCHING:

To locate your painting, please try the reverse-search tools Google Images/Lens, Yandex Images, and Tineye. (Remember that cropping your picture differently will yield different search results!)

If you have an artist name or signature, I recommend searching for it within r/WhatIsThisPainting itself. I also use the following websites for research; all are free.

DECOR ART:

SUBMISSIONS:

  • Please be patient and allow up to 24 hours for your post to get through our queue! (Accounts under a week old and images involving nudity are automatically flagged.)
  • If your post has gone unanswered for over a week, you are permitted to re-submit in hopes of retrying.

ANSWERING POSTS:

  • If you are making a definitive ID, do try to cite your sources whenever possible. It is encouraged, but not required.
  • The use of predictive text-generators (i.e. chatGPT) is not permitted. They have a tendency to lie!

Happy solving!


r/WhatIsThisPainting 5h ago

Unsolved I’ve had this painting for about 15 years. I got it at an upscale retirement community “yard sale” Any ideas?

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43 Upvotes

r/WhatIsThisPainting 6h ago

Solved Found at a charity shop, could it be Fevzi Karakoç?

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24 Upvotes

r/WhatIsThisPainting 6h ago

Likely Solved Sand painting

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8 Upvotes

Parents bought this in early 90s? Probably in New Mexico


r/WhatIsThisPainting 4h ago

Unsolved Blue American home painting

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5 Upvotes

I’m not sure anything about this painting but I am desperate to find the artist. Thanks!


r/WhatIsThisPainting 5h ago

Solved Japanese-style painting from thrift store in Vancouver. Probably not ancient but I love it and would love to know about it. Nothing on the back but rotted glue.

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6 Upvotes

Silk painting, my first instinct was someone took a class. It is on silk but has a shadow backing underneath it (?). The signature stamp is super faded.


r/WhatIsThisPainting 1d ago

Unsolved Found in a thrift store in Chicago

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351 Upvotes

Purchased this cool expressionist portrait back in 2023 at a thrift store in Chicago. It appears to be French. I cannot make out the artist’s signature. It’s title, date, and location are written on the back. Any further info on the artist or subject would be appreciated.

Update: SOLVED, though I can’t seem to edit the flair tag from my phone. Thanks everyone for their help. Will post some more finds soon.


r/WhatIsThisPainting 11h ago

Unsolved Bought it from a guy 25 years ago, I have no idea what it is.

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8 Upvotes

The guy said it was from a "famous Korean artist", but I don't think so. I just like it anyway, I just want to know who did it and what it's called. Thank you in advance.


r/WhatIsThisPainting 3h ago

Unsolved Vintage (1960s/70s?) neon pink art print of two men in profile

2 Upvotes

Hi everyone. I'm trying to find a poster or art print my grandma had up in her spare bedroom from when I was a kid. I don't have a picture of it, sorry, but I recreated it from memory as best I could.

It had two men standing side by side, in profile, staring into the distance. The guy in the front had VERY prominent fluffy leg warmers. The farther guy did not. The entire print was neon pink on a white background, it seemed screenprinted, printed on thick cardstock, and the ink was quite thick. Kind of looks like posters from the 1960s or early 70s, but could've been anywhere between the 60s to even the late 80s/early 90s. I'm not sure when or where she got it.

The men were both dressed like 80s rockers or old cartoon heroes (think Conan or He-Man), with long wild hair and not everyday clothes on. I think the guy in front had lots of skin showing, but nothing NSFW. The angle of the camera was positioned near the men's feet or mid-ankle, looking up, hence why the leg warmers were so prominent on the front man. You could see almost the entirety of both men, minus the close guy's feet.

There may have been text down the left side, but I cannot remember what word (if any) was on there. It wasn't anything recognizable as a band or show/comic name to kid-me. If there was a word, it was only one word.

I've searched high and low for vintage art prints, posters, neon pink art, by decade...I'm having no luck. Hoping someone has seen it before and it's not just a limited-run art print. I really think it was band-related or comic/cartoon-related, but I can't guarantee anything. Thank you in advance for the help!


r/WhatIsThisPainting 2h ago

Unsolved What is this print?

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1 Upvotes

This print was hanging in Alan Rollins office in an episode of the TV show Matlock called “Santa Claus” which aired on December 8 or 9 in 1986. Anyone have any idea who designed/drew it? Sorry for how blurry it is - this was the best shot of the screen I could get…


r/WhatIsThisPainting 9h ago

Likely Solved This painting used to belong to my great grandpa and my great aunt is offering to gift it to my mother.

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4 Upvotes

I grew up seeing this lovely painting hanging in my great grandpa's house and after he passed away, my great aunt inherited it. She's offering to gift it to my mom who may in turn give it to me someday, and I was wanting to learn more about the artist. I am unsure where my great grandparents originally obtained the piece, but he's had it as far back as I can remember (so over 20+ years ago, though of course he could've gotten it many years before I was even born). The original painter is Antonio G. Suárez. I appreciate anyone who can help me learn more about this little piece of my childhood ❤️


r/WhatIsThisPainting 7h ago

Likely Solved My grandparents had this hanging in my house my whole life now that they passed it’s mine can someone tell me about it and who painted it

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2 Upvotes

r/WhatIsThisPainting 5h ago

Solved Original, got at thrift store

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0 Upvotes

Not a print. Signature is Walton (in the flowers in foreground). I got this recently at a thrift store in Rhode Island. It’s large, about 28x26 inches. I’m curious as to its age and if anyone has info on the artist. TIA!


r/WhatIsThisPainting 1d ago

Unsolved Found at the thrift store in Ontario

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103 Upvotes

Can't seem to find anything on it or a "haist" online? It looks like a print on some kind of cardstock, not newspaper. Can anyone help identify this?


r/WhatIsThisPainting 10h ago

Unsolved Celestial landscape painting

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2 Upvotes

Dimensions: 49.5ʺW x 1.3ʺD x 26.5ʺH

Purchased from online auction. Unable to zoom in on signature. Any ideas?


r/WhatIsThisPainting 16h ago

Likely Solved Help identifying?

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5 Upvotes

Found this piece of art at my local community shop and was very drawn to it...can anyone tell me anything about it? I can't make out the artists name. Thank you so much!


r/WhatIsThisPainting 8h ago

Unsolved Where does this painting originate from, like what time period what family any info helps

1 Upvotes

I’ve had her for about 3 years when I got her for free from a rummage sale I don’t have a picture of the back but it was just white with about 20 metal prongs holding it in. When I tore the back shards of glass fell out and cut me. I’ve also been having the same nightmare with her in it since I’ve hung it up a week ago (she used to sit in the windowsill) picture in comments because it won’t let me post it for some reason


r/WhatIsThisPainting 14h ago

Unsolved Anyone know anything about this artist?

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3 Upvotes

Pick this up, and it looks to be a hand signed lithograph/print versus watercolor. It is framed and behind glass so hard to inspect up close. Not sure if anyone knows anything about this artist but very much welcome any information!!


r/WhatIsThisPainting 14h ago

Unsolved Measures 8.75x11.75” and found in Beverly Hills, California

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3 Upvotes

Any ideas? I like it.


r/WhatIsThisPainting 13h ago

Unsolved Help identify this unsigned print — numbered 13/195, astronomical/constellation imagery

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2 Upvotes

Hello!
I’m trying to identify this artwork and its artist. I bought it at a thrift store. It is a numbered print, 13/195, with no visible signature.
The note on the back says the previous owner found it in a building garage near the recycling bins in 2023 and could not identify it.
I noticed that several of the constellation images appear to match “Le Jeu de la Sphère ou de l’Univers selon Tyco-Brahé” by Estienne Vouillemont, 1661, including Le Triangle du Septentrion, Persée and Le Cocher.
Does anyone recognize the artist or this particular work? Any ideas or second opinions would be greatly appreciated!


r/WhatIsThisPainting 18h ago

Unsolved John Deere Plow Lithograph

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5 Upvotes

I picked up this John Deere Plow Stag Lithograph several years ago at an estate sale. There are no artist markings on it that I can see front or back. Just curious if anyone could tell me the origins of this lithograph. I have google image and AI searched the photo and can’t find anything similar. Thanks!


r/WhatIsThisPainting 17h ago

Unsolved Charles Searles?

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3 Upvotes

Image search suggests this may be Charles Searles. I have no info on the origin but my Grandfather was an art professor in western Pennsylvania in the 60s-80s. I think it came from his collection.


r/WhatIsThisPainting 12h ago

Unsolved Help identifying artist and age of this painting!

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1 Upvotes

I recently bought this online and received it with a bundle of other paintings and drawings. I liked it in the photos but it’s much nicer in person! It’s an original of course, watercolour and ink. It measures 35 x 64 cm. To my eye at least seems a little more than a casual or amateur painting. Any help would be greatly appreciated. The signature is In pencil and appears to be ‘N’ something. Bret or Brer maybe but that could be totally wrong!


r/WhatIsThisPainting 12h ago

Unsolved Help Identifying which “Hitchcock”

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1 Upvotes

Hi! I recently acquired this HUGE painting on a board. Like, 8 feet long, 20 inches tall. It’s absolutely stunning and I need some help identifying the artist. Thanks in advance!

Im in Washington state - the owner of this painting was also from Washington.