How does one begin or try to attribute an unsigned work?

[bucolic_frolic]

With very few details. Most recent 50 year period.

[brush]

1. If it's thought to be by a noted artist, contact experts of that artist's work.

If not, I have no idea.

[bucolic_frolic]

2. Ah, perhaps I have misphrased the question. Artist unknown

If I knew the artist, that would be a big leap.

[harumph]

3. identify the style e.g., "abstract expressionism", "pop" ...etc., and

describe the painting the best you can and search on that.
sign up with local/regional auction houses and search online.

[tikka]

4. Try taking it to an Art History professor if you are near a college.

He/She might be able to give an approximate date range and stylistic school. Then comes the search for similar works. If that is successful and you think that you have found a potential artist, it's up to expert evaluation and testing to authenticate the piece.

This a simplistic explanation of a daunting and possibly expensive process that requires a lot of research

[bucolic_frolic]

5. That's a good plan

I know the date, within 3-5 years, and the region, within a handful of states, and the general age of the artist, within 10 or 20 years. I think it's best characterized as landscape impressionist, and I recall a general conversation that it was not her usual subject matter because it was a special request, painted unsigned. Unfortunately it was painted a far way from here.