Tangerine (or Spanish Girl with Flowers)
Chromolithograph print on paper or cardstock • Attributed to the Campbell Art Company, likely after a work by a commercial illustrator or studio artist of the early 20th century.
Style & Movement
Early 20th-century Decorative Art / American Illustrative Style with Spanish Revival influences.
Medium & Technique
Color lithography; mass-produced commercial printing technique designed to replicate the appearance of an oil painting with soft gradients and rich ink saturation.
Creation Period
Circa 1920s - 1930s
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 12 x 16 inches; Portrait orientation.
Subject Description
A profile portrait of a young woman seated on a high-back chair, wearing a black cap, a pale green shawl with small red floral accents, and a voluminous bright red/orange skirt (the 'Tangerine' color). To her right is a white pitcher filled with yellow and orange marigolds or similar flowers. The composition is simplified with a flat, neutral background, emphasizing color blocks.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Fair to Good; the print shows some fading due to UV exposure and the frame has visible wear/scuffing.
Estimated Market Value
$40 - $120
Auction Estimate
$30 - $75
Provenance History
Acquired from an antique store; likely mass-distributed in the United States during the interwar period as accessible home decor.
Art Historical Significance
Representative of the 'Golden Age of Illustration' decorative prints that were popular in middle-class American homes. These works reflect the period's fascination with exoticism and the Spanish Revival movement in interior design.
Notable Features
Includes a distinctive '©C.A.Co' (Campbell Art Company) copyright mark in the lower left corner. The period-accurate dark wood frame with a patterned inner gilt liner is original to the era of distribution.
Condition Issues
Visible surface reflection suggests it is under glass, which may have protected the ink but also caused acidity issues if not archival. General yellowing of the paper and minor abrasions on the wooden frame.
Conservation Recommendations
Replace the backing with acid-free mat board if it currently uses cardboard. Keep out of direct sunlight to prevent further color loss (especially the fugitives reds/oranges).
Collector Notes
Antique store