Autumn Ballet
Commercial decorative offset lithograph print on textured paper with faux-mat border • Chen Chi (attributed via signature/seal style), published by Arthur A. Kaplan Co., Inc. NYC.
Style & Movement
Contemporary Chinese-American fusion; a decorative interpretation of traditional Chinese bird-and-flower painting (Huaniao-hua).
Medium & Technique
Mechanical offset lithography; the original work was likely executed in ink and wash (gongbi style) on silk or paper.
Creation Period
Circa 1987 (based on the copyright date visible on the margin edge).
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 24 x 18 inches; vertical portrait format.
Subject Description
A vertical composition featuring two butterflies fluttering amidst delicate autumnal foliage and pink blossoms. The work uses a soft, atmospheric color palette with misty transitions between the subjects and the background.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Fair to Good; the print shows some edge wear and visible undulation of the paper within the frame, suggesting humidity exposure.
Estimated Market Value
$20 - $50 USD
Auction Estimate
$10 - $30 USD
Provenance History
Mass-produced commercial print by Arthur A. Kaplan Co., Inc., a prominent 20th-century art publishing house. Likely sold in a department store or home decor gallery in the late 1980s.
Art Historical Significance
Low; as a mass-produced mechanical reproduction, it lacks the hand-applied value of an original painting or a limited-edition hand-signed lithograph. Its value is primarily decorative and representative of 1980s interior design trends.
Notable Features
Features the publisher's mark: '1987 ARTHUR A. KAPLAN CO. INC. NYC' and the title 'AUTUMN BALLET' along the left margin edge.
Condition Issues
Visible paper warping/buckling; potential light-induced fading of the delicate pastel pigments; minor scuffing on the frame edges.
Conservation Recommendations
Ensure the piece is kept out of direct sunlight to prevent further fading. If the frame is the original 1980s pink/peach wooden frame, it should be checked for acid-free backing to prevent foxing.