Antique Western Landscape Pastel/Chalk Art With Hand Carved Oak Gesso Frame Signed

Antique original pastel/chalk drawing on heavy board, signed lower left N. Subject depicts a Native American rider on horseback in a Western Rocky Mountain-style landscape. Frame total size: 27" by 23". Opening and full board: 22" by 18". Bordered center art piece: 15" by 11". The image appears to be worked directly onto a single heavy board with a deliberately reserved border, rather than being placed behind a separate mat. Housed in what appears to be it's original decorative oak wood frame with gilted inner gesso trim and very thick glass. When I acquired this piece there was no backing for the frame, it was just artwork against glass and nails.

I believe it originally had a split, real wood backing and the acid burn on the back of the artwork appears to be a perfect pattern of it, including the brown circle on the front right margin and back, from the back it appears to show where there was a knot in the thin backing. Technically damage but I find it very interesting and certainly unique.

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