Abstract Composition in Burgundy and Tan
Mixed media painting on support likely comprised of paper or cardstock • Vivian Flannery (signed in gold/yellow paint on the burgundy field)
Style & Movement
Abstract Expressionism / Contemporary Decorative Abstraction
Medium & Technique
Acrylic or gouache paint applied with flat brush or palette knife over a printed or textured surface; techniques include flat color blocking and possible collage elements
Creation Period
Late 20th Century (circa 1970s-1990s) based on typographic evidence and color palette
Dimensions & Format
Small to medium scale, landscape orientation; estimated at 12x16 inches based on detail crop
Subject Description
Non-objective abstract composition featuring jagged color blocks; a large burgundy plum-colored field dominates the upper right, contrasting with a mottled tan/beige background and a dark grey-purple geometric shape
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Fair to Poor; visible surface loss, mechanical damage, and significant degradation of the support
Estimated Market Value
$50 - $150 USD (decorative value)
Auction Estimate
$30 - $100 USD
Provenance History
Unknown; includes visible publication text at the bottom edge ('PUBLISHED BY...') suggesting this may be a commercial print that was later overpainted or used as a substrate
Art Historical Significance
Minor; representative of regional or amateur abstract painting. The significance is primarily as an example of late-century mixed media practice on found substrates.
Notable Features
Distinctive 'Vivian' signature in cursive metallic paint; lower margin contains printed text identifying a publisher or printer, indicating an unusual use of existing printed material as a canvas
Condition Issues
Significant loss of the paint layer in the lower right of the burgundy section; tearing and abrasion of the substrate; visible creasing and discoloration toward the edges
Conservation Recommendations
Stabilization of flaking paint layers; archival mounting to a rigid acid-free board; UV-filtering glass; humidity-controlled environment to prevent further brittle cracking