Original Painting on Signed Velvet inside Gold Pan, 1979
Painting : oil · 40 x 40 x 1 cm 15.7 x 15.7 x 0.4 inch
Sold
Delivered in time for Christmas
Authenticity guaranteed
Sold with certificate of Authenticity from the artist
Invoice from the gallery Learn more
Secure payment • Card, Amex, PayPal...
We accept several payment methods:
Paypal
American Express
Visa
Mastercard
Apple Pay
Google Pay
- Credit cards (Visa, MasterCard)
- American Express
- PayPal
- Bank transfer
- Gift card
- Apple Pay / Google Pay
All payments are secured with 3D Secure validation to protect your confidential information.
Verified Reviews : 9.6/10
Similar works
About the artwork
Type
Painting : Unique artwork
Condition
Artwork sold in perfect condition, not framed
Authenticity
Sold with certificate of Authenticity from the artist
Invoice from the gallery
Signature
Hand-signed by artist
Dimensions ( cm • inch )
40 x 40 x 1 cm 15.7 x 15.7 x 0.4 inch Height x Width x Depth
Sold by
Art gallery
Credentials
Vetted seller since 2026
Description
Artist: Bob Ross Title: Untitled, Northern Lights Medium: Original Oil on Velvet inside Gold Pan Size: 16" x 16" unframed Year: c. 1971 Inscription: Signed on front lower right Documentation: Includes a Certificate of Authenticity from Bob Ross Inc. If you found this piece because you have a Bob Ross painting you are looking to sell, please reach out to us directly. Modern Artifact has over a decade of experience collecting Bob Ross original artwork and can offer offer immediate cash payments and facilitate easy shipping or pick up. Bob Ross's "Untitled (Northern Lights)" original painting on velvet inside gold pan is an evocative example of the artist's early Alaskan period, preceding his rise to national fame as the host of The Joy of Painting. Created circa 1971, this rare oil on velvet work reflects Ross's developing visual language and his enduring fascination with the serene majesty of the northern landscape. Before he became synonymous with televised painting, Ross honed his skills while stationed in Alaska with the U.S. Air Force—an environment that profoundly shaped his understanding of atmosphere, light, and the natural sublime. Set beneath a vast, midnight sky illuminated by shimmering northern lights, the composition captures a tranquil winter night. In the foreground, a rustic cabin rests beside a still, reflective lake, its snowy banks leading the viewer's eye toward a towering mountain that rises in the distance. The aurora borealis arcs across the sky in luminous ribbons of pink and violet, their spectral glow heightened by the deep, velvety black surface beneath. The velvet medium, prized for its ability to intensify contrast and saturation, lends the work a radiant luminosity that echoes the otherworldly beauty of the Arctic night. The circular gold pan framing the composition adds a distinctive sculptural quality, simultaneously grounding the work in Ross's Alaskan roots and alluding to the region's gold-mining heritage. This unusual presentation unites subject and form, creating a work that feels both intimate and iconic. Executed with precision and restraint, this painting reveals Ross's early technical mastery and foreshadows the compositional balance and atmospheric sensitivity that would later define his celebrated television landscapes. Signed "Ross" at lower right, this painting offers a rare glimpse into the artist's formative years—when his deep reverence for the natural world and his capacity to translate its quiet majesty into paint first emerged. Accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity from Modern Artifact, "Untitled (Northern Lights)" stands as both a historical artifact and a testament to Bob Ross's evolution from self-taught painter to one of America's most beloved interpreters of landscape.
Presentation
Bob Ross, born on October 29, 1942, in Daytona Beach, Florida, was an iconic American painter and television personality known for his soothing demeanor and the creation of "happy little trees." With a military background, Ross discovered his passion for art while stationed in Alaska, where the scenic landscapes inspired his signature style.
In the 1980s and 1990s, Ross became a household name as the host of "The Joy of Painting," a television program that captivated audiences with his gentle voice and effortless brushstrokes. His trademark Afro hairstyle and calming presence endeared him to viewers, making him a beloved figure in the art world and beyond.
Ross's artistic technique, known as wet-on-wet or alla prima, involved layering wet paint onto wet canvas to achieve a fast and expressive style. His landscapes often featured serene mountains, lakes, and forests, accompanied by his encouraging words encouraging viewers to embrace mistakes as "happy accidents."
Beyond his television success, Ross was a prolific painter and author. He founded his own art school, Bob Ross Inc., where he taught the Bob Ross method to aspiring artists. Ross's impact on the art community continues to endure, with countless individuals finding inspiration and solace in his accessible approach to painting.
Bob Ross passed away on July 4, 1995, but his legacy lives on through reruns of "The Joy of Painting," a vast body of artistic work, and the countless artists he inspired to pick up a paintbrush and find joy in the act of creating.
Discover similar artists
Reviews from our customers
All our reviews are extracted from Verified Reviews
You may also like
Bob Ross
Painting . 60 x 45 x 1 cm Painting . 23.6 x 17.7 x 0.4 inch
$850,000
Marina Lukianova
Painting . 40 x 40 x 1.5 cm Painting . 15.7 x 15.7 x 0.6 inch
$1,000
Elena Sol
Painting . 60 x 60 x 2 cm Painting . 23.6 x 23.6 x 0.8 inch
$1,950
Bob Ross
Painting . 60 x 90 x 1 cm Painting . 23.6 x 35.4 x 0.4 inch
$450,000
Clement Vuillier
Print . 100 x 70 cm Print . 39.4 x 27.6 inch
$581
Recommended by Artsper
Ziad Dib Jreige
Painting . 40 x 60 x 0.5 cm Painting . 15.7 x 23.6 x 0.2 inch
$600 $540
Francesca Borgo
Painting . 60 x 60 x 3.3 cm Painting . 23.6 x 23.6 x 1.3 inch
$1,530
Mihaela Ivanova
Photography . 30 x 30 x 0.2 cm Photography . 11.8 x 11.8 x 0.1 inch
$418 $377
Francesca Borgo
Painting . 37 x 37 x 3 cm Painting . 14.6 x 14.6 x 1.2 inch
$650
Alex Senchenko
Painting . 80 x 80 x 1.5 cm Painting . 31.5 x 31.5 x 0.6 inch
$1,254 $1,066
Marina Lukianova
Painting . 40 x 40 x 1.5 cm Painting . 15.7 x 15.7 x 0.6 inch
$1,000
Need help?
How do I showcase my work?
Have you purchased a painting, sculpture or work on paper?
Find our expert advice for the conservation and promotion of your works in the articles below:
Protect your purchase with Artsper: Buy with confidence
At Artsper, our mission is to allow you to collect works of art with complete peace of mind. Discover the protections we offer at every stage of your shopping experience.
Buy works from top galleries
We work in close collaboration with carefully selected art galleries. Each seller on Artsper is carefully examined and approved by our team, thus ensuring compliance with our code of ethics. You therefore have the assurance of purchasing authentic, high-quality works.
Total transparency: you know what you are buying
Before being posted online, all artwork on Artsper is reviewed and validated by our moderation team. You can browse with complete peace of mind, knowing that each piece meets our criteria of excellence.
Personalized support: our experts at your service
Our team of contemporary art experts is available by phone or email to answer all your questions. Whether you want advice on a work or a tailor-made selection to enrich your collection, we are here to support you.
Resell your works with ease
If you have purchased a work on Artsper and wish to resell it, we offer you a dedicated platform to relist it. To find out more, click here.
Make offers with Artsper: negotiate like in a gallery
You have the possibility to propose a price for certain works, just like in a gallery. This feature allows you to initiate discussions and potentially acquire your coins at advantageous prices.
Get help with your negotiations
Our team will negotiate for you and inform you as soon as the best offer is obtained. Do not hesitate to call on our expertise to ensure a transaction at the best price.
Order securely
Artsper satisfaction assurance
We want you to be completely satisfied with your purchase. If the work you receive is not to your liking, you have 14 days to return it free of charge, and you will be refunded in full, whatever the reason.
Secure payment with Artsper partners
All credit card payments are processed by Paybox, the world leader in payment solutions. Thanks to their strict security standards, you can transact with confidence.
Problem Support
In the rare event that an artwork arrives damaged or not as described, we are here to help. Whether for a return, refund, restoration or exchange, our team will support you throughout the process and will ensure that we find the solution best suited to your situation.
Conditions to benefit from Artsper protections:
Use one of the payment methods available on Artsper for your order.
Report any problems within one week of receiving the work.
Provide required photographic evidence (including original artwork and packaging).
Artsper guarantees cover the following cases:
The received work lacks a described characteristic (for example, a signature or frame).
The artwork has significant differences from its description (e.g. color variation).
The work is damaged upon receipt.
The work is lost or damaged by the carrier.
Delivery is significantly delayed.
With Artsper, you collect with complete peace of mind.
Why choose Artsper for your art purchases
Artsper offers you access to more than 200,000 works of contemporary art from 2,000 partner galleries. Our team of experts carefully selects galleries to guarantee the quality and originality of the works.
You benefit from:
Works at gallery price
Return within 14 days, regardless of your location
Easy resale of the work purchased on Artsper
Personalized research tools (selection and tailor-made universe)
Our customer service is available for any assistance.
Where can I be delivered?
Artsper delivers internationally. The list of countries is available in the first step of your cart.
If your country is not listed contact us at [email protected] and we will see what we can do.
Note that Customs fees may apply for works shipped internationally. This is indicated in the first step of the shopping cart.
You can choose a delivery address different from the billing address. Make sure that a trusted person is present to receive the work if you cannot be there.