Cherry Splashed by Liquid
Painting on paper support • Signed 'Stepha' (likely a contemporary emerging or student artist)
Style & Movement
Contemporary Pop-Realism / Illustrative Expressionism
Medium & Technique
Acrylic and possibly gouache on paper; employs flat background application with gestural impasto for the splash effects and wet-on-dry layering
Creation Period
2025 (as indicated by the '25' notation near the signature)
Dimensions & Format
Estimated 9 x 12 inches (standard sketchbook size); vertical/portrait orientation
Subject Description
A single red cherry with a green stem impacting or emerging from a liquid surface. The composition features a stark black background which high-contasts with the white splash of liquid. The vertical line suggests a surface plane or a thin stream of water cutting through the center
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Excellent; the paper and pigment appear fresh with no signs of age-related degradation
Estimated Market Value
$50 - $200 (based on contemporary student/emerging artist market for small works on paper)
Auction Estimate
$30 - $100
Provenance History
Likely contemporary private collection; no secondary market labels or stamps present
Art Historical Significance
Modern study of motion and contrast; reflects the influence of high-speed photography in contemporary painting and the Pop Art tradition of isolated everyday objects
Notable Features
Prominent white signature 'Stepha' in a vertical cursive script with a year marker '25'; high-contrast color palette; use of negative space to define liquid movement
Condition Issues
Minor rippling of the paper support due to wet media application (typical for acrylic on paper); no significant damage
Conservation Recommendations
Mounting with acid-free materials; framing under UV-protective glass to prevent fading of the red pigments; maintain a stable humidity environment