Beautiful original impressionist landscape oil on canvas signed: "M. B. Williams", a listed California artist. The soft lines and warm colors make this painting of a valley very pleasing, enhanced by the high quality exceptional vintage frame. Mary Belle Williams ( born 1873 - died 1943 ) was born in Massilon, Ohio and studied art as a child before studying at the Art Students League in New York. She moved to San Diego around 1906 and opened a studio at 7th and Beech streets where the painter Alfred Mitchell lived and worked. She died in Los Angeles in June 21, 1943. She is known for her landscapes, floral still life's, portraits and miniatures. She was a member: San Diego Art Guild ( charter member, 1915) and exhibited at the Panama California International Expo in San Diego in 1915 receiving the silver and bronze medals, Carnegie Library, San Diego Fine Arts Gallery 1927, California-Pacific International Expo 1935. Works held: San Diego Public Library and Historical Society and the State Museum Resource Center ( Sacramento ). The deep carved and gessoed frame measures a full 3 1/2" deep, 39 5/8" wide by 31 5/8" tall, The image measures 27 7/16" wide by 19 7/16" tall. On the reverse of the frame, painted in black are the initials "T. B. ? ( O, C or G, illegible). On the canvas stretcher is written: "Phillipi (?) Valley in graphite. The painting has a pleasing patina and cracilature throughout, as common with a painting of this age with only a few minor smudges to the right of center, and there is a small flake of paint missing, as shown, which measures approximately 1/16". There is a small patch on the back of the canvas, as shown, where there is corresponding in-painting on the front approximately 2" long by 1" wide which I mention for the sake of accuracy. One of the 3 close-up images of the hills is vertical, If you mentally divide the image into 4 equal parts, in the lower left hand corner of the upper right hand quadrant, you can faintly see a slightly lighter area where the minor inpainting was performed. I have enjoyed this painting on the wall for many years when visiting our friends and did not notice the apology until I inspected the painting critically in order to write a very accurate description. This painting has hung in our friends Craftsman Bungalow for around 25 years and is ready for a new home. The warm and understated image, framed by the striking frame will make a welcome addition to any Arts and Crafts environment or Art collection.