Floral Still Life with Anemones and Maidenhair Fern
Painting on paper • Liz Deade (signed and dated '92 lower left)
Style & Movement
Contemporary Realism / Illustrative Floral Still Life
Medium & Technique
Watercolor on paper; techniques include wet-on-dry for floral details and wet-on-wet for the yellow background wash and soft shadows
Creation Period
1992
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 12 x 16 inches (sight); Landscape format
Subject Description
A vibrant indoor still life featuring a glass bowl of multi-colored Anemone flowers alongside a potted maidenhair fern in a white lattice-patterned vessel. The composition uses a bright yellow wash in the upper right to suggest sunlight and includes fallen blossoms on the table surface in the lower right.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good to Very Good; colors appear vibrant with minimal visible fading
Estimated Market Value
$100 - $300 USD
Auction Estimate
$50 - $150 USD
Provenance History
Likely acquired from a local gallery or exhibition in the early 1990s; currently in a private collection
Art Historical Significance
A representative example of late 20th-century decorative watercolor painting. Its significance lies in the domestic tradition of botanical art and the popularity of the medium for regional artists during this period.
Notable Features
Distinctive lower-left signature 'LIZ DEADE 92' in reddish-pink pigment; fine gestural brushwork used to capture the delicate texture of the fern fronds.
Condition Issues
Minor ripple in the paper support suggests it may not be mounted on acid-free board; slight yellowing of the matting indicates non-archival materials were used in the original framing.
Conservation Recommendations
Re-frame using acid-free, archival-quality matting and UV-protective glass to prevent future fading and acidity transfer; avoid hanging in direct sunlight.