Twilight at Taos (or a similar Pueblo scene featuring seated women)
Limited edition print (likely a lithograph or serigraph) on paper • Ed Mell (attributed based on characteristic geometric style and subjects)
Style & Movement
Contemporary Southwestern Art / Modernist Realism
Medium & Technique
Multi-stone lithography or serigraphy featuring smooth color gradients (blends) and precisely registered flat color fields
Creation Period
Late 20th Century, likely circa 1980-1995
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 30 x 36 inches (framed), landscape orientation
Subject Description
Two Native American women seated in conversation in the foreground of a stylized, multi-level adobe Pueblo (likely Taos Pueblo) under a starlit twilight sky with blue mountains in the background. Narrative focus on serene, timeless community life.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Very Good; the print appears flat within the frame with vibrant color preservation and no visible foxing
Estimated Market Value
$1,500 - $3,000 USD
Auction Estimate
$800 - $1,500 USD
Provenance History
Likely purchased from a Southwestern art gallery in Arizona or New Mexico; hand-numbered '81/200' in the lower right and signed in the lower left
Art Historical Significance
Represents the evolution of Western art into a modernist, graphic aesthetic that simplifies natural forms into geometric planes; Ed Mell is a pivotal figure in defining the modern visual identity of the American Southwest.
Notable Features
Distinctive use of hard-edged shadows and soft atmospheric gradients; visible edition numbering indicating a limited market run.
Condition Issues
Possible minor light-fading if exposed to direct UV (standard for prints); slight rippling (cockling) of paper possible if not archival-mounted.
Conservation Recommendations
Ensure the use of UV-protective museum glass and acid-free matting; keep away from high-moisture areas to prevent paper warping.