Burroughs Adding Machine and Oliver No. 3 Typewriter (Diptych)
Diptych of two paintings on canvas, likely giclée or mixed media prints with hand-embellished accents, mounted in floater frames. • Contemporary commercial artist; typical of works sold through high-end home decor galleries or hospitality design firms. Style is reminiscent of several commercial studio artists specializing in industrial chic.
Style & Movement
Industrial Realism / Contemporary Still Life. Focuses on vintage technology through a minimalist, isolated lens.
Medium & Technique
Synthetic media (likely high-quality digital print on canvas) with potential acrylic overpainting. The techniques include flat background application and representational rendering of industrial objects.
Creation Period
Early 21st Century (circa 2010-2023)
Dimensions & Format
Estimated 20 x 20 inches per panel; square format presented in a vertical stack.
Subject Description
The top panel depicts a vintage Burroughs Portable Adding Machine; the bottom panel depicts an Oliver 'Standard Visible Writer' No. 3 Typewriter. Dark tonal backgrounds isolate the objects, emphasizing their mechanical complexity and metal textures.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Excellent; the surfaces appear clean, the colors remain saturated, and the black floater frames are in like-new condition.
Estimated Market Value
$400 - $800 for the pair
Auction Estimate
$200 - $450 for the pair
Provenance History
Likely purchased through a retail art gallery or interior design boutique. No visible historical labels; appears to be part of a modern series.
Art Historical Significance
Represents the 'Industrial Nostalgia' trend in contemporary decorative arts, focusing on the aestheticization of obsolete tools. While not high art, it reflects cultural interest in mechanical history.
Notable Features
Uniform black backgrounds with subtle textural brushstrokes; housed in contemporary black wooden floater frames that provide a three-dimensional gallery appearance.
Condition Issues
No visible cracking, fading, or structural issues. Minor dust accumulation on the frame interior ledges.
Conservation Recommendations
Maintain in a climate-controlled environment away from direct UV light to prevent canvas fading. Periodic dusting with a soft microfiber cloth or goat hair brush.