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Striking vintage original portrait painting signed “Willis”, depicting an African American man wearing a dark cap with a colorful band, draped shawl, and smoking a cigar.
This Mid-century portrait is rendered in warm earth tones with expressive facial detail and strong visual character. The painting appears to be oil on board, with the artist’s signature “Willis” visible on the lower portion of the work.
The portrait is presented in an ornate gilt-finish decorative frame with molded corner details that complement the age and character of the painting.
Approximate overall framed dimensions:
16” wide x 20” tall
The reverse retains its older paper dust covering and an intriguing typed label reading:
“YET ANOTHER
Airtight Job by
RICHARD E. HYLAND”
The exact meaning of this label and Richard E. Hyland’s relationship to the artwork are currently unknown. No artist attribution to Richard E. Hyland is being made; the label is being documented as part of the painting’s existing history.
An identical composition bearing the Willis signature has also surfaced in the marketplace and has been described as an old original oil-on-board painting, providing an interesting comparison for this uncommon portrait.
Condition:
The painting shows expected surface aging and wear. The ornate frame displays cracking, chips, finish loss, separation and damage around several corners and edges. The original-style rear paper covering is torn and deteriorated but has intentionally been left intact to preserve the Richard E. Hyland label and existing history of the piece.
Please review all photographs carefully for exact condition, measurements and details.
A distinctive and visually powerful mid-century signed portrait, ideal for collectors of vintage portraiture, Black Americana, African American art, folk and decorative art, or for an eclectic gallery wall.
Artist: Signed “Willis”
Subject: African American man with cigar
Medium: Believed to be oil on board
Style: Vintage portrait / folk-decorative art
Time Period - 1940s
Country of Origin: Unknown
Provenance: Undocumented; vintage Richard E. Hyland label remains on reverse
