Double Profile Portrait of Young Women
Mixed media drawing on paper (circular tondo format) • Signed 'Dave L' or 'Dave Lu' (likely a contemporary illustrator or portrait artist)
Style & Movement
Contemporary illustrative realism with influence from graphic art and commercial illustration
Medium & Technique
Colored pencil, graphite, and light wash application. The technique involves soft blending for skin tones and fine-line detailing for the hair and eye lashes.
Creation Period
Late 20th to Early 21st Century (estimated 1990-2015)
Dimensions & Format
Small to medium scale, approximately 8-12 inches in diameter, tondo (circular) format cropped by a square/rectangular mount.
Subject Description
Compositional study featuring two young women in profile, looking upward toward the left. They appear to be wearing matching yellow garments, possibly uniforms or athletic wear. The background shows a light blue wash suggesting sky, creating an aspirational or hopeful narrative tone.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good. The colors appear vibrant, though minor foxing (small brown spots) is visible on the paper surface near the signature.
Estimated Market Value
$150 - $400 USD
Auction Estimate
$100 - $300 USD
Provenance History
Likely a private commission or local gallery acquisition; no prominent exhibition labels or historical secondary market records are visible.
Art Historical Significance
The work represents the overlap between commercial illustration and fine art portraiture in the late 20th century. While not part of a major historical movement, it demonstrates high technical proficiency in pencil blending and compositional layering.
Notable Features
Distinctive tondo (circular) cropping within the matting and a clear, stylistic cursive signature in the lower center foreground.
Condition Issues
Visible foxing/environmental spotting on the lower right quadrant of the drawing surface. Minor surface dust under the glass.
Conservation Recommendations
Should be kept away from direct UV light to prevent fading of the colored pigments. Archival de-acidification may be needed to address the spotting if it worsens.
Collector Notes
Artist