Birch Trees in Snow at Twilight
Chromolithographic print / Vintage illustration • Attributed to the Frederickson Co. (Publisher/Studio); likely a staff illustrator such as Rudolf F. Ingerle or similar landscape artist associated with calendar art of the period.
Style & Movement
American Tonalism / Arts and Crafts movement illustration
Medium & Technique
Chromolithography on paper. The technique involves successive layers of colored inks to create a painterly effect with a visible stippled or grain-like texture characteristic of early 20th-century commercial printing.
Creation Period
1917 (as indicated by the copyright mark)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 5 x 7 inches; octagonal clipped format mounted on a secondary circular backing.
Subject Description
A group of three birch trees standing in a snow-covered field during twilight. A warm, artificial glow (possibly from a house or campfire outside the frame) illuminates the left side of the scene, casting long shadows across the snow and highlighting the texture of the bark.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Fair to Good. The print shows significant edge wear, clipping of the corners, and acidification of the paper support.
Estimated Market Value
$15.00 - $35.00
Auction Estimate
$10.00 - $25.00
Provenance History
Mass-produced as commercial art, likely originally part of a 1917 promotional calendar or a 'gift book.' The text at the bottom edge reads '© 1917, THE FREDERICKSON CO., CHICAGO.'
Art Historical Significance
Representative of the 'Golden Age of American Illustration' and the commercialization of the Tonalist aesthetic. It reflects the early 20th-century American desire for nostalgic, atmospheric landscapes in domestic interior decor.
Notable Features
Features a distinct 1917 copyright mark for The Frederickson Co., a Chicago-based firm known for high-quality art calendars and advertising lithographs.
Condition Issues
Clipped corners (not original to the print run), signs of surface abrasion, fading of pigments (particularly the yellows), and mounting onto a non-archival cardboard substrate which may cause future staining.
Conservation Recommendations
Remove from the acidic cardboard backing if possible. Place in an acid-free mat and use UV-protective glass to prevent further fading of the 1910s-era inks.