My friends found a painting by an artist named "P Bouchard". How could they find out if it has any value?

This will sound like something that couldn't be true, but it is. My friends found an oil painting thrown away at the local dumpsters. They brought it home thinking it was pretty and the frame looked to have some value. They invited me over to see their "find". I have a degree in art and this is a genuine oil that is VERY well done. This is no dime store oil. The canvas and frame show signs that it is quite old, both looking to have been hand made. The signature is "P Bouchard" with no date. It is a pastoral scene with oxen pulling a hay wagon. The scenery and style do not look American. How can I help them find out if this painting has any value? I could email someone a photo of it and close up of the signature. Thanks for any help.

My friends found a painting by an artist named "P Bouchard". How could they find out if it has any value?
Google the artists name is one idea. you prob have done that.





Go to the local college art dept and get books or advice from a professor.





Visit an art gallery and show it to a person there





'Google images' may have a picture of oxen and hay wagon -





Auction house people are sometimes well connected and can give you the name of a prof or other expert locally





Hope it is valuable, and you can sell it. otherwise leave it to your kdis in your will!!!
Reply:See if you can find an apraser in your town or area in which you can bring it to.
Reply:Check eBay to see if any have been listed for sale in the past. Also, Google some art auction sites to see if any of his works have been sold in the past. Good luck!