Ring-tailed Lemur (Katta)
Print (likely a high-quality offset lithograph or reproduction print) on paper under glass. • Klaus Meyer-Gasters (German, 1925-2016).
Style & Movement
Naturalism / Modern Wildlife Illustration. The work is characterized by a soft, ethereal quality common in mid-century German animal illustration.
Medium & Technique
Originally executed in watercolor and tempera; this appears to be a printed reproduction of that medium using high-resolution mechanical printing to mimic the fluid, wet-on-wet watercolor washes.
Creation Period
Circa 1960s – 1980s. Klaus Meyer-Gasters was prolific in the mid-to-late 20th century.
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 18 x 24 inches (estimated with frame); Portrait format.
Subject Description
A curled ring-tailed lemur (Lemur catta) with its distinctive black and white banded tail wrapped around its body. The composition focuses on the animal's expressive orange eyes and rounded form, utilizing a minimalist background to emphasize the subject's anatomy and texture.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Fair to Good. Visible foxing and environmental spotting on the paper substrate; potential light fading due to UV exposure.
Estimated Market Value
$50 - $150 USD (decorative market value for a framed print).
Auction Estimate
$30 - $100 USD.
Provenance History
Likely acquired as a decorative print; these works were frequently sold through galleries and as part of high-end calendars or botanical/zoological portfolios in Germany and the US.
Art Historical Significance
Meyer-Gasters was a renowned animal portraitist known for his 'Tierbilder' (animal pictures). His work is significant for its bridge between scientific illustration and fine art, capturing the personality rather than just the biology of his subjects.
Notable Features
Features the artist's signature in facsimile in the lower right corner. The wood frame is consistent with mid-century styling. The softness of the lemur's fur is achieved through a masterful use of blended tones and negative space.
Condition Issues
Significant brown spotting (foxing) is visible in the upper and left sections of the paper. There is also a reflection in the glass indicating it is not non-reflective museum glass, which may have contributed to paper acidity.
Conservation Recommendations
Acid-free matting and UV-protective glass are recommended. The paper may require deacidification or cleaning by a paper conservator if the foxing is to be removed, though the cost of treatment likely exceeds the market value of the print.
Collector Notes
Lemur by Klaus Meyer-Gasters