San Juan Harbor (possibly titled 'Garita')
Print on paper; likely a woodcut, linocut, or silkscreen • Ricardo Rey
Style & Movement
Mid-Century Modern; Geometric Abstraction; Latin American Modernism
Medium & Technique
Graphic print using flat areas of ink to create a geometric, tessellated composition; utilizes pattern-making and spatial abstraction.
Creation Period
Circa 1950s - 1970s
Dimensions & Format
Estimated 12 x 18 inches; Landscape format
Subject Description
A stylized harbor scene featuring iconic Puerto Rican architectural motifs such as the 'Garita' (sentry box) on the left. The composition is divided into a sky filled with sharp, triangular mountains or clouds, a cityscape with vertical industrial blocks, and a foreground of repeating, tessellated fish shapes in a monochromatic palette.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Fair; visible diagonal scratch across the center and evidence of foxing/yellowing on the paper margins.
Estimated Market Value
$300 - $600 USD
Auction Estimate
$200 - $400 USD
Provenance History
Likely acquired in Puerto Rico; lower right bears the artist's signature 'Ricardo Rey'.
Art Historical Significance
Represents the post-war printmaking tradition in Puerto Rico, which sought to blend local identity and landmarks with international avant-garde trends like Cubism and Op-Art.
Notable Features
The use of tessellation in the fish pattern at the bottom is reminiscent of M.C. Escher, showing a sophisticated play between positive and negative space.
Condition Issues
Prominent surface scratch through the center-left; significant discoloration and age spots (foxing) on the surrounding matting or paper support.
Conservation Recommendations
Surface cleaning by a paper conservator; remounting using acid-free archival materials; framing under UV-protective glass.
Collector Notes
Ricardo Rey