Portrait of a Person in a Wide-Brimmed Hat
Limited edition print on paper, likely a linocut or woodcut • Griffith (Signed 'GRIFFITH' in the lower-right margin)
Style & Movement
Contemporary Expressionism / Neo-Expressionist Pop Art. The style reflects a late-20th-century interest in graphic, high-contrast portraiture influenced by earlier European woodcut traditions and 1960s pop culture imagery.
Medium & Technique
Relief printing with black ink on a cream or metallic-finish paper. The technique utilizes high-contrast negative space and bold, blocky lines characteristic of relief printmaking.
Creation Period
1991 (dated '91' in the lower-right margin)
Dimensions & Format
Estimated 8 x 10 inches (image area) within a larger frame; square-format image presented in a portrait-oriented frame.
Subject Description
A stylized portrait of a figure wearing a large, floppy-brimmed hat. The composition features heavy chiaroscuro, using the black ink to define deep shadows while the light of the paper creates highlights on the face and hat. The gaze is enigmatic and slightly downturned, suggesting a mood of introspection or mystery.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good. The print appears well-preserved under glass, though there is a visible vertical crease or waviness in the paper on the left side, likely due to improper mounting or humidity-related expansion.
Estimated Market Value
$150 - $400 USD. The value is limited by the lack of broad market recognition for the specific artist 'Griffith,' but supported by the small edition size and dated vintage.
Auction Estimate
$100 - $300 USD
Provenance History
Unknown private collection. The piece is numbered '3/5' in the lower margin and signed by the artist, indicating it was part of a very small, limited edition run, likely sold through a local gallery or studio in the early 1990s.
Art Historical Significance
This piece represents the persistent popularity of relief printmaking in the late 20th century as a means of exploring graphic social identity. In the context of 1991, it fits within a broader trend of artists revisiting 'low-tech' artisanal methods to create bold, immediate visual impacts.
Notable Features
The very small edition size (3 of only 5) is notable, suggesting either a student work, a proofing stage, or an artist working in a very intimate, non-commercial scale. The signature and date are clearly hand-penciled in the margin.
Condition Issues
The most significant issue is the 'cockling' or buckling of the paper support on the left edge. There is also potential light-fading if the ink is not archival, though the black remains deep. Reflection in the photo suggests it is framed with standard, non-UV glass.
Conservation Recommendations
The print should be removed from its current mounting and professionally flattened. It should be remounted using acid-free, archival materials and T-hinges. Replacing the current glass with UV-protective museum glass would prevent further aging of the paper and ink.