Willis African American Cigar Oil Painting Board Antique c1920s Richard E Hyland

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Willis African American Cigar Oil Painting Board Antique c1920s Richard E Hyland:
$1999.99

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.

Believed to date to the 1950s–1960s, 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:

Vintage condition consistent with its estimated 1950s–1960s age. 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

Time Period Produced: 1950s–1960s

Style: Vintage portrait / folk-decorative art

Country of Origin: Unknown

Provenance: Undocumented; vintage Richard E. Hyland label remains on reverse