This is an update to my previous posting...my grandfather Emil worked at the Wunderly Gallery in Pittsburgh, along with his brothers Charles and August. ItÕs amazing that people are still interested in the gallery, but IÕm always glad to try and help. Here are answers to typical questions that I receive:
- I have never heard about any paperwork that lists the artists whose work was sold. My grandfather did most of the framing and his brothers acquired and sold the art. Some artwork came from Europe -- they went to Europe up until WW II to acquire European art and they also went to NYC.
- Unsigned paintings with the Wunderly seal: I often get this question and I do not know the answer. Local artists probably had their paintings framed at the gallery. And my grandfather and his sister Margaret were also amateur painters...who knows?
- The gallery sold and framed paintings for fine art collectors as well as museums. You could contact some museums and see if their staff could identify the age of your painting. Also ask if they noticed the Wunderly gallery seal on any of the pieces in their collections. IÕd appreciate any new info that you can pass along!
- Tip: take a few shots of your painting and save it as a JPEG file Ñ for example: Nature oil.jpg Then you have a digital file that you can send to museums or have on record for insurance purposes, once you have the painting appraised.
- I like to hear about your paintings but please don't assume that I want to buy paintings from the 18th century with the Wunderly seal. I am not a sentimental person in that regard and my home is filled with artwork from...Africa and Asia!
- I'm sorry to have to say this, BUT --- the Internet is a great way to get in instant contact with people and I try to reply to the inquiries I receive (an average of 1 - 2 each month!) I have received emails that start without any type of greeting or closing statement, do not contain the word 'please' or 'thank you', and ask me for detailed information. Please treat others with the same courtesy that you would like to receive yourself. : )
In the future I'll update this with new info. I have some very poor quality photocopies of the gallery exterior and interior show rooms, and I am trying to get the orignals.
best wishes - Patricia
