Transvestite Stepping Off Curb in Block Island, Rhode Island
Painting on canvas • Miriam Fried
Style & Movement
Contemporary Figurative / New Realism with elements of Pop Art influence; the work displays a focus on the 'vernacular' or everyday snapshot aesthetic translated into painting.
Medium & Technique
Oil or acrylic on canvas; characterized by flat color fields, bold outlines, and a somewhat graphic, illustrative technique with visible brushwork in the tonal transitions.
Creation Period
Late 20th Century (circa 1970s–1990s)
Dimensions & Format
Large scale, approximately 40 x 50 inches; Landscape format.
Subject Description
The composition is a cropped, low-angle view showing the lower legs and feet of a figure stepping from a sidewalk onto the street. The figure wears distinctive footwear, likely sandals or heels with straps. The cropping emphasizes the act of movement and the physical texture of the pavement, creating a sense of urban narrative and identity through fashion and gesture.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good; the canvas appears taut and well-stretched, though the surface shows typical signs of aging for a mid-to-late 20th-century work.
Estimated Market Value
$1,500 – $3,500 USD
Auction Estimate
$800 – $1,200 USD (conservative estimate for regional secondary market)
Provenance History
Likely acquired directly from the artist or through a regional Rhode Island / New England gallery. Ownership history appears to be private collection based on the domestic setting.
Art Historical Significance
The piece is significant for its exploration of gender performance and marginalized identities in the late 20th century. By focusing on a specific locality (Block Island) and a specific demographic, Fried contributes to the tradition of social realist observation. It aligns with the 'snapshot' aesthetic popularized by contemporary street photography of the era.
Notable Features
The unusually low perspective and radical cropping create a cinematic 'street-level' intimacy. The title's specific narrative context—identifying the subject as a transvestite in Block Island—provides a vital sociopolitical layer to an otherwise abstractly composed figurative work.
Condition Issues
Minor surface dust and potential light yellowing of the varnish layer; some slight mechanical cracking (craquelure) may be present upon close inspection due to environmental shifts.
Conservation Recommendations
Professional surface cleaning to remove accumulated grime; installation of a protective frame (floater frame) to protect the edges; keep away from direct UV light and high-humidity areas.
Collector Notes
Miriam Fried transvestite stepping off curb in block island Rhode Island