Young Woman by a Lily Pond
Print or painting on paper within a black wooden frame • Anonymous illustrator; possibly a commercial decorative print produced by a company like Turner Mfg. Co. or similar mid-century decorative art publishers
Style & Movement
Mid-Century Modern Art Deco revival; Illustrator style
Medium & Technique
Mixed media including watercolor or gouache with airbrushed or stenciled elements; features stylized flat-color application characteristic of mid-century commercial illustration
Creation Period
Circa 1940s-1950s
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 18 x 20 inches; Square format
Subject Description
A stylized young woman with blonde hair sitting by the edge of a pond featuring water lilies. The background consists of geometric, layered foliage and soft rolling hills. The color palette is muted with earth tones, dusty pinks, and olives.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Fair; visible signs of aging including significant foxing, moisture damage, and probable sun fading
Estimated Market Value
USD 25 - USD 75
Auction Estimate
USD 15 - USD 40
Provenance History
Unknown; likely a mass-produced decorative home item sold in department stores. Features a modern yellow price sticker (likely from a secondary market or thrift store)
Art Historical Significance
Minor; representative of suburban domestic decor trends in the United States during the mid-20th century, drawing on simplified Art Deco aesthetics for mass consumption
Notable Features
The use of stencil-like gradients in the trees and the sharp, high-contrast silhouette of the foreground bush with white flowers are typical of mid-century airbrush techniques
Condition Issues
Heavy foxing (brown spots) across the sky and water areas; potential acid burn from the backing material; minor frame scuffs; fading of original pigment intensity
Conservation Recommendations
Requires acidity testing; replacement of backing with acid-free matting and UV-protective glass to prevent further fading and fungal growth (foxing)