Original Scratchboard Pet Portrait 'The Value of Truth' by Bunny J. O'Driscoll – Framed Fine Art (Chinese Crested Powderpuff / Terrier)made off
An original, finely detailed scratchboard drawing depicting a seated long-haired dog. The technique utilizes meticulous hand-etched lines through a black ink surface to reveal the white clay layer beneath, creating high-contrast texture and realism. Affixed directly below the custom double-matting is a paper covered with tape featuring a philosophical quote by Leonardo da Vinci regarding the honesty of animals. Condition: of art: Excellent. Well-preserved under glass with no visible surface damage, fading, or foxing. Framing: Very good. Housed in a custom deep-navy painted timber frame with a professionally sealed paper backing and intact wire hanger.
Inner art 22cm 28cm Outer frame 45cm 39cm
Other
Yes
Hi Melissa,
Thank you for contacting Mearto with your appraisal inquiry.
Scratchboard drawings are made when the artist uses a sharp tool to remove black ink or pigment from a coated boards, with the resulting white or colored lines creating the image. The pressure and density of the marks can be varied by the artist to produced remarkably detailed shading, texture and fine lines.
This is a very finely done drawing but I've searched the artist databases we have proprietary access to and I'm not finding any listed artist with the last name O'Driscoll and first name "Bunny" or a name starting with "J" (I believe 'Bunny' refers to the name of the dog rather than the name of the artist).
There are many reasons why artists are unknown:
1. they can be self-taught and don't leave a record of academic training
2. they were short-lived and do not leave behind a significant body of work
3. they did not have gallery representation
4. none of their surviving works have gone through public auction
5. despite innate talent, they did not pursue art professionally
You don't mention when or where you acquired this work; knowing its history might provide me with some clues as to when and where it was made, and by whom.
Other scratchboard pictures of similar size by anonymous artists have been selling at auction lately for less than AUD $100, usually around the $50 mark.
Based on the photos and information provided, and subject to examination, this is:
International School, 20th/21st Century
"Bunny"
scratchboard painting of a dog
Da Vinci quote affixed to front of frame
Sheet: 22 x 28 cm (8-5/8 x 11 in); framed: 39 x 45 cm (15-3/8 x 17-3/4 in)
CONDITION: not examined out of the frame
PROVENANCE: unknown
$40-60*
*represents a fair-market value for auction purposes; retail or asking price may vary.
Please let us know if you have additional items to appraise, or questions/concerns, and thank you again for using Mearto.
~ Delia
