Studies of Baryshnikov and Gelsey Kirkland
Original drawing on paper • Jamie Wyeth (James Browning Wyeth, American, b. 1946)
Style & Movement
Contemporary Realism / American Realism
Medium & Technique
Charcoal and black chalk with possible graphite or blending stumps (estompe) on toned paper
Creation Period
Circa 1974-1976
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 24 x 18 inches (sight); Portrait format
Subject Description
A figurative study of Mikhail Baryshnikov in movement with a lighter, secondary profile of Gelsey Kirkland in the background. The drawing centers on Baryshnikov's athletic form, capturing his intense concentration and the physical tension of a dance position at the barre. It belongs to Wyeth's celebrated series documented during Baryshnikov's tenure with the American Ballet Theatre.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good to Very Good. The paper appears stable within the mount, though some light-induced toning (browning) of the paper is evident.
Estimated Market Value
$25,000 - $45,000
Auction Estimate
$20,000 - $35,000
Provenance History
Likely acquired through a gallery representing the artist (such as Coe Kerr or M. Knoedler & Co.) or via a private collection focusing on American Realism. Private collectors often acquired these during the 1970s ballet boom in New York.
Art Historical Significance
Significant as part of the cross-disciplinary collaboration between two icons of 20th-century culture. Jamie Wyeth's ballet studies are highly regarded for their anatomical precision and psychological depth, bridging the gap between his father Andrew Wyeth's austerity and Jamie's own more visceral style.
Notable Features
Signature 'Jamie Wyeth' visible at lower center-right; distinctive handling of the charcoal to create kinetic 'blur' effects; strong contrast between the heavily worked male figure and the ethereal female silhouette.
Condition Issues
Visible browning consistent with acidic matting or light exposure; minor rippling of the paper (cockling) at the edges; possible light foxing spots in the upper background.
Conservation Recommendations
Acid-free museum-grade re-matting; installation of UV-filtering glass or acrylic; humidity-controlled environment to prevent further paper degradation.