Portrait of A.G.
Print, specifically an intaglio print (etching or drypoint) on paper • Signed indistinctly in pencil, potentially read as P. Blouin '67 or similar contemporary printmaker; further archival research needed for definitive identification
Style & Movement
Late 20th-century Expressionism / Art Informel / Contemporary Printmaking
Medium & Technique
Black ink on cream-colored wove paper, utilizing intaglio printmaking techniques including etching, drypoint, and potentially aquatint or foul-bite effects for textured tonal background areas
Creation Period
1967
Dimensions & Format
Small format portrait, estimated plate mark approximately 6 x 8 inches on a slightly larger sheet, matted and framed
Subject Description
A heavily abstracted, expressive portrait of a human head, characterized by frantic, energetic linear hatchings, cross-hatching, and dark, brooding facial features that convey psychological intensity and distress
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good condition; the print itself appears stable with clear black ink lines and distinct platemark, though the surrounding mat board shows minor toning and age spots
Estimated Market Value
$300 - $800 USD
Auction Estimate
$200 - $500 USD
Provenance History
Numbered 19/20 in pencil in the lower margin, indicating a limited edition print; likely acquired through a regional gallery, print fair, or directly from the artist's studio in the late 1960s
Art Historical Significance
Reflects the widespread post-war European and North American interest in raw, existential, and expressionistic portraiture, capturing the anxieties of the 1960s through aggressive mark-making and print experimentation
Notable Features
Hand-signed and dated ('67') in pencil by the artist, titled 'PORTRAIT OF A.G.' in the lower left margin, and numbered '19/20' in the lower center margin, confirming a limited edition print run
Condition Issues
Minor acidification and toning of the window mat; potential light foxing or handling marks on the outer margins of the paper sheet hidden beneath the mat
Conservation Recommendations
Keep away from direct sunlight and high humidity. If reframing, utilize acid-free archival matting and UV-filtering acrylic or glass to protect the paper from further degradation