Spanish Stairway
Original fine art print, Artist's Proof (A.P.) on paper • Michael Milburn (based on the signature in the lower right margin)
Style & Movement
Mid-Century Modern / Abstract Expressionism with elements of Cubist-inspired architectural deconstruction
Medium & Technique
Intaglio process, likely a combination of etching and aquatint or collagraph; featuring varied textures, dot patterns, and linear mark-making
Creation Period
1961 (as inscribed in the lower right)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 18 x 8 inches (visible print area); vertical portrait format
Subject Description
A vertical, abstracted composition representing the Spanish Steps in Rome. The imagery utilizes geometric shapes, domes, arches, and stair-like patterns to evoke architectural forms through a stacked, totemic arrangement.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good; the print appears stable within the frame, though the paper reflects aging and light toning
Estimated Market Value
$300 - $600 USD
Auction Estimate
$200 - $400 USD
Provenance History
Likely acquired from a gallery or studio in the early 1960s; current residence suggests a private collection of American mid-century graphics
Art Historical Significance
A representative example of mid-20th-century American printmaking, showing the influence of European Modernism on postwar artists traveling and studying abroad in Italy.
Notable Features
Inscribed 'A.P.' (Artist's Proof) and titled 'Spanish Stairway' in graphite at the lower left; signed and dated 'Michael Milburn 1961' at the lower right.
Condition Issues
Evidence of mat burn and yellowing along the margins; slight rippling of the paper (cockling) due to environmental humidity; potential light foxing in the upper margin
Conservation Recommendations
Unframing and acid-free re-matting with UV-protective glass; placement away from direct sunlight; surface cleaning by a paper conservator if staining progresses