Nocturnal Totems or Abstract Cityscape
Original Print / Color Etching or Lithograph on heavy paper • Attributed to Gulliard (as signed 'Gulliard L01')
Style & Movement
Contemporary Neo-Expressionism with elements of Primitivism / Lyrical Abstraction
Medium & Technique
Mixed-media printmaking, likely involving etching with aquatint and hand-coloring. Techniques include sgraffito (scratching into the surface), gestural washes, and use of opaque inks.
Creation Period
2001
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 20 x 24 cm (image size), Square/Portrait format on paper with margins
Subject Description
A complex, nocturnal composition featuring a central dark void flanked by warm, ochre sections. The surface is densely populated with white linear symbols including ladders, anchors, ecclesiastical architecture, crosses, and eye-like motifs. It suggests a dreamscape or a symbolic narrative of a city at night.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good/Very Good; the image remains vibrant, though there are slight surface scuffs and minor foxing/discoloration in the margins.
Estimated Market Value
$400 - $900 USD
Auction Estimate
$300 - $600 USD
Provenance History
Numbered edition 'Tirage 5/10' and catalog number '254' indicate it was part of a limited professional series, likely acquired through a boutique gallery or European print studio.
Art Historical Significance
Representational of late 20th/early 21st-century printmaking trends that bridge the gap between street-art aesthetics and traditional etching. It reflects the influence of artists like Paul Klee and Jean-Michel Basquiat in its use of symbols.
Notable Features
Hand-inscribed 'Tirage 5/10' indicating a very low, exclusive edition run; distinctive use of white line-work against a deeply saturated blue and orange background.
Condition Issues
Visible surface abrasions, minor staining on the bottom right margin, and slight yellowing of the paper carrier.
Conservation Recommendations
Mount using acid-free, archival materials; frame under UV-protective glass to prevent fading of the colored washes.