Vintage European Boy with a Basket of Apples Oil Painting, 20th Century
Description
Early 1900s European Portrait – Boy with Red Hat & Apples, Unsigned, Original Frame.
Some portraits tell you exactly who someone was. Others leave just enough unanswered.
This vintage oil painting depicts a young boy holding a basket of red apples, painted in deep, earthy tones of brown, olive, rust, and cream. His striped blouse, dark bow, and wonderfully direct expression give the portrait the feeling of a character remembered from a story rather than someone formally posed for one.
Painted in oil on board, the work has a beautifully unpolished quality. The brushwork is loose and expressive, allowing the figure to emerge slowly from the dark background rather than announce itself all at once.
The painting remains in its simple giltwood frame, whose softly worn finish gives it just enough ceremony without making it feel overly formal. It is charming, slightly mysterious, and exactly the kind of portrait that makes a room feel as though it has been collected over generations.
We love it hung alone in a kitchen or hallway, or layered into a gallery wall alongside landscapes, botanicals, and other quietly characterful portraits.
Some artwork fills a wall.
This one gives the room a story.
Very Good Condition
The painted surface shows gentle rubbing, tonal variation, and scattered age-related marks. The giltwood frame has scratches, rubbing, small losses, and mellowing to the finish.
The original paper backing is heavily torn and deteriorated, with old nails and hanging wire visible on the reverse. This does not affect the front presentation and has been left as found.
Please review all photographs closely for a complete understanding of condition.
9½ in W × 11½ in H × 1 in D
Weight: approximately 1.5 lbs
Domestic Shipping
All items are shipped within 3 - 7 business days of purchase. Each order is packed with care and shipped via USPS, UPS, or Fedex.
For more information, please refer to shop's shipping policy.
Return/Exchanges
All sales are final once an order is placed.
Due to the unique nature of our products, we unfortunately do not offer any returns, exchanges or refunds. By Mae is not responsible for any lost or stolen items once an order is handed to the shipping carrier. If your package is stolen or missing, we will send you a link where you can file a claim with the corresponding shipping company.
Additional info
Location
This item was sourced in Shelton, CT
Styling
This vintage oil on board portrait depicts a young boy holding a basket of red apples, painted in deep, earthy tones with a wonderfully direct expression.
There is something especially compelling about portraits that leave a little unanswered. We do not know who he was, but the striped blouse, dark bow, and basket of fruit make him feel less like a formal sitter and more like a character remembered from a story.
Hung alone, it brings quiet personality to a kitchen, hallway, or child’s room. Layered into a gallery wall, it pairs beautifully with old landscapes, botanical studies, and other softly worn portraits.
We especially love it beside our Vintage European Kitchen Maid—together, the two works feel as though they belong to the same house, each carrying its own small piece of the story.
Repairs
No repairs have been done to this painting. All paintings have been lightly dusted and cleaned
Frequently asked questions
You ask we answer :)
Authentication of Designer items?
By Mae maintains a 100% authenticity policy on all designer items. All of our designer products are pre-authenticated and sourced from only trusted and reliable vendors locally, nationally or internationally.
If you have questions regarding a purchased item, please contact info@maehello.com.
What are the descriptions of item's conditions?
EXCELLENT: Basically brand new—it's like the item never even had a life before you! No signs of wear, use, or washing. If there’s a flaw hiding somewhere, we'll spill the beans in the description.
VERY GOOD: Looks like it’s barely been touched. A few minor signs of love, but still in prime vintage condition. Any little quirks? We’ll tell you all about them in the description.
GOOD: This item has lived a little, but it’s still rocking it. Expect some fading, light stains, or a bit of piling, but it’s got plenty of life left. Any noticeable quirks? You’ll find them in the description, we promise.
Original Antique & Vintage Paintings?
All of our paintings are genuine antique and vintage oil masterpieces, complete with their original frames. If any repairs have been made—whether to the artwork or the frame—or if the frame has been swapped out or touched up, you’ll find all the details in the product description. And if the painting is a replica of the original, we’ll make sure to clue you in on that too. We believe in full transparency—no art secrets here!
Do you disclaim repairs done to items?
Any notable flaws or repairs will be noted under item's condition.
Where do you source your items from?
We source from all over the world - from North America to Europe to Asia.
