Siddhartha (Celestial Hands)
Original print on heavy paper, likely an offset lithograph or serigraph with possible hand-worked elements. • Likely by an artist influenced by New Age or Tantric modernism, such as the circle of early contemporary Indian printmakers or a western artist inspired by Eastern mysticism.
Style & Movement
New Age Symbolism / Tantric Modernism. The style blends late-century surrealism with spiritual diagrams.
Medium & Technique
Mixed media print technique involving ink washes, stenciling, and overlaid linework (likely lithography) to achieve a translucent, ethereal effect.
Creation Period
Late 20th century, likely circa 1970-1990.
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 24 x 24 inches (image size), square format, presented in a portrait-oriented mat and frame.
Subject Description
The composition features two ethereal palms facing outward, inscribed with numbers and symbols reminiscent of palmistry or Buddhist mudras. Above them sits a celestial orb or sun, while the bottom suggests a lotus base or smoke. The background is a gradient of deep blue transitioning into ochre, suggesting a cosmic or meditative landscape.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good. There is visible rippling of the paper inside the frame, suggesting humidity-related cockling.
Estimated Market Value
$200 - $500
Auction Estimate
$150 - $300
Provenance History
Unknown; the style and framing suggest a gallery purchase from the 1980s or 1990s, common in personal collections focused on meditative or spiritual art.
Art Historical Significance
Represents the late 20th-century intersection of Eastern spiritual iconography and Western printmaking techniques, illustrative of the global spread of 'spiritual abstraction.'
Notable Features
Features numeric and astrological notations integrated into the design, suggesting the artwork doubles as a symbolic diagram or mandala.
Condition Issues
Notable paper cockling (waving) due to environmental moisture; slight fading to high-contrast areas; potential acid burn from the original matting if not archival.
Conservation Recommendations
Professional reframing using acid-free archival matting and UV-protective glazing. Humidification and flattening by a paper conservator could resolve the rippling.