Women with Inner Tube and Beach Chair (from the Beach series)
Original photograph, pigment print or silver gelatin with painterly manipulation • Lynn Hyman Butler
Style & Movement
Contemporary Pictorialism / Impressionistic Photography
Medium & Technique
C-print or pigment print featuring motion blur, soft focus, and multiple exposure techniques to create a painterly, impressionistic effect.
Creation Period
Late 20th to early 21st century (circa 1980-2005)
Dimensions & Format
Large landscape format; estimated image size 16x20 inches or 20x24 inches within a larger white mat.
Subject Description
Four women depicted in transit along a boardwalk or beach setting. They carry summer essentials including a large black inner tube, striped beach chairs, and bags. The composition uses blurred movement to emphasize rhythm and light, evoking a nostalgic, dreamlike memory of summer leisure.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Very Good; the print appears stable with vibrant colors, though there are significant reflections on the glazing indicating it is framed under standard glass.
Estimated Market Value
$1,500 - $3,500 USD
Auction Estimate
$800 - $1,200 USD
Provenance History
Likely acquired from a contemporary art gallery specializing in fine art photography. Signature 'Lynn Hyman Butler' is visible in the lower right margin.
Art Historical Significance
Butler is known for her 'Sleepwalking' and beach series which utilize long exposures and camera movement to bridge the gap between photography and Impressionist painting. Her work is held in collections like the Brooklyn Museum and the International Center of Photography.
Notable Features
Hand-signed by the artist in the lower right margin; the work successfully mimics the brushwork of French Impressionism through purely mechanical/photographic means.
Condition Issues
Visible surface reflections from the glass in the photograph. Potential for minor light fading if not displayed behind UV-protective glazing.
Conservation Recommendations
Remount using archival, acid-free materials; replace current glass with museum-quality anti-reflective UV-filter acrylic/glass to eliminate glare and protect the dyes from UV degradation.