The Conjurer (or The Magician)
Original print or drawing, likely a lithograph or serigraph on paper. • In the manner of Vilmos Huszár or the De Stijl movement; alternatively, modern graphic illustrators influenced by Kazimir Malevich or El Lissitzky.
Style & Movement
De Stijl / Suprematism / Constructivism. The piece exhibits the geometric reductionism and non-objective tendencies associated with International Constructivism and early 20th-century Dutch and Russian avant-garde.
Medium & Technique
Ink on paper (likely screenprint or lithography). The technique utilizes high-contrast, flat black geometric shapes and sharp mechanical lines, characteristic of graphic design and avant-garde printmaking.
Creation Period
Modern period, likely mid-20th century (c. 1920s–1950s) or a later high-quality posthumous edition.
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 50 x 50 cm (20 x 20 inches) including frame; square format.
Subject Description
A vertical composition depicting a stylized figure on the left wearing a top hat and tuxedo, holding what appears to be a small object or glass. To the right, an explosion of geometric fragments (triangles, rectangles) creates a dynamic sense of motion or magic, suggesting a conjurer performing a trick or a mechanical deconstruction of form.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good. The paper shows slight natural yellowing/toning consistent with age. The black ink remains saturated and crisp.
Estimated Market Value
$800.00 – $2,500.00 (variable based on whether it is an original period print or a later exhibition edition).
Auction Estimate
$600.00 – $1,800.00.
Provenance History
Unknown; requires examination of the verso or removal from the frame to look for gallery labels or artist stamps. The framing style suggests late 20th-century professional mounting.
Art Historical Significance
Significant as an example of the intersection between figurative illustration and pure abstraction. It represents the early 20th-century effort to mechanize the human form and apply architectonic principles to dynamic narratives.
Notable Features
The contrast between the rigid, static figure on the left and the chaotic, kinetic elements on the right; the use of 'white-space' within the black solids to define the face and suit of the figure.
Condition Issues
Visible minor acidification of the paper (yellowing) and slight rippling beneath the matting. Possible light strike if displayed in direct UV light.
Conservation Recommendations
Recommend reframing with UV-protective museum glass and acid-free archival mounting to prevent further toning of the paper. Keep in a humidity-controlled environment.