Chickadee
Limited edition print (Lithograph or Offset Lithographic reproduction) on heavy paper stock • Saltiel (signed in plate and hand-signed in margin)
Style & Movement
Contemporary Wildlife Realism
Medium & Technique
Mechanical print reproduction with hand-signed elements; original likely executed in wash, watercolor, or airbrushed gouache combined with fine detail work
Creation Period
1984 (original and printing)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 12 x 15 inches (image size); horizontal landscape format within a matted frame
Subject Description
A Black-capped Chickadee perched on a coniferous branch adorned with pine cones. The composition uses a shallow depth of field with a soft, out-of-focus background in muted purples and grays, emphasizing the bird and the detailed pine needles.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Very Good; the print appears bright with crisp margins, though there's a slight risk of light-induced fading known as 'yellowing' based on the age of 40 years
Estimated Market Value
$50 - $150 USD
Auction Estimate
$30 - $100 USD
Provenance History
Numbered 179 of a limited edition of 200; likely acquired through a wildlife art gallery or regional art fair in the mid-1980s
Art Historical Significance
A representative example of the 1980s boom in North American wildlife art, characterized by a fusion of botanical accuracy and atmospheric, painterly backgrounds
Notable Features
Hand-signed and hand-titled 'Chickadee' in the lower margin; numbered 179/200; double signature (once in the plate and once in pencil by the artist)
Condition Issues
None clearly visible from the photograph; however, non-archival matting may lead to 'acid burn' along the edges over time
Conservation Recommendations
Framing with UV-protective museum glass is recommended to prevent pigment fading. Ensure Acid-free (pH-neutral) matting is used to avoid foxing