Drama in art and a dog the kids love

THIS OLD THING

Q. I picked this artwork up in Belleville, Ont., at an estate sale. The picture itself is approximately 41 centimetres high by 51 wide (16 by 20 inches). It has the artist’s name, R.A. Messner, in the bottom-left corner. On the back was a sticker with Rushing Waters In The Rocky Mountains Rudolf Messner 1958. The frame appears to be original. I have been unable to find any information on the painting although the artist did a number of Rocky Mountain scenes. Would you be able to offer any ideas on rarity or value? — Alonzo, Moncton, NB

A. Rudolph Anton Messner (1912-1997) was a Germanborn painter who came to Canada in 1951. His British Columbia painting portfolio is no surprise, since he settled in Vancouver. His many subjects include Howe Sound, Kamloops and the Fraser Valley, and often showcased farms and mountains. There’s great drama in this piece, with the lively river fuelled by the snow-capped mountains in the background. Few of Messner’s pieces have come to market in the past 12 years, which is never a good thing for maintaining interest in an artist. Although his larger canvasses have sold in the four-digit range, this mid-size work will likely bring about $400.