The Hybrid Footballer (Surrealist Harrier)
Original drawing on canvas or heavyweight board • Unknown contemporary illustrator or graphic artist; reminiscent of European satirical illustration school
Style & Movement
Contemporary Surrealism / Satirical Illustration
Medium & Technique
Ink and possibly acrylic or gouache; technical pen or fine brushwork with solid black fills
Creation Period
Late 20th to early 21st century (c. 1990-2010)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 60x40 cm; vertical portrait format
Subject Description
A fantastical hybrid figure featuring the head of a bearded man merging with a soccer ball and the body of a bird-like creature in mid-air. The composition uses dynamic, sweeping lines to suggest motion and an aggressive, energetic narrative related to sports or psychological intensity.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Fair to Good; visible surface staining and foxing
Estimated Market Value
$150 - $450 USD
Auction Estimate
$100 - $300 USD
Provenance History
Likely private collection; potential commercial illustration for a magazine, poster, or club merchandise given the graphic nature
Art Historical Significance
Reflects the intersection of high-contrast graphic design and 20th-century surrealist imagery, typifying the use of hybridity to convey competitive human emotion in sports.
Notable Features
Striking use of negative space and line weight to create a sense of velocity; the juxtaposition of the realistic facial features with the abstract, feathered body.
Condition Issues
Notable moisture damage/staining on the lower edge and right side; scattered foxing across the light background; slightly worn edges.
Conservation Recommendations
Surface cleaning by a paper/canvas specialist; matting using acid-free materials to prevent further foxing; framing under UV-protective glass.