Preliminary identification
Photo reference
1 uploaded photo
Overview
A striking pair of original mid-century oil or acrylic portrait paintings featuring stylized young women with oversized, expressive eyes. Signed 'ROTH' in the upper corners, these works capture the moody, melancholic aesthetic popularized in 1960s pop culture. Housed in their original deep-profile black wooden frames, they represent a highly collectible era of commercial and decorative illustration art.
Story
In the 1960s, a wave of melancholic, large-eyed portraits took the art world by storm, capturing a sense of vulnerability and mystery. These paintings, signed 'ROTH', perfectly embody that moody, beatnik-era aesthetic.
Maker / Origin
While signed 'ROTH', these pieces are likely the work of a skilled mid-century commercial illustrator or a regional artist working in the highly popular 'Big Eye' style of Margaret Keane, Igor Pantuhoff, or Gig.
Condition & Value
The paintings appear to be in very good vintage condition with vibrant colors and no obvious paint loss or flaking. The original black frames show minor surface wear consistent with age, which adds to their authentic vintage character. Keeping them in their original frames preserves their maximum historical and aesthetic value.
Full Research
Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.
Build on this identification
Layer in sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance.
Comparable demand stays strongest where maker, originality, and venue confidence line up. Broader examples still trade, but the range tightens quickly when provenance, condition, or selling lane fit is missing.
Best Venue
Specialty auction or a focused dealer with buyers already in this lane.
Signed example with light edge wear and original frame.
Comparable format with stronger provenance and cleaner surface.
Smaller related piece with visible craquelure and trimmed margins.
Period match with softer condition and weaker subject matter.
Close market lane comp with similar material and presentation.