New Orleans Jazz Parade
Poster print on paper, likely a photographic or offset lithographic reproduction of an original watercolor illustration • Richard 'Dick' Kern; signed 'R Kern' in the bottom left-hand corner of the artwork plate.
Style & Movement
Caricature / Illustrative Regionalism; the style is characterized by exaggerated features, whimsical proportions, and a focus on local New Orleans cultural life.
Medium & Technique
Mechanical print; the original artwork utilizes watercolor, ink, and wash techniques to create a vibrant, caricatured effect with fluid line work and translucent color layering.
Creation Period
Circa 1980–1990; the print is dated '80 next to the signature in the lower left of the image, typical of the late 20th-century New Orleans souvenir art boom.
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 24 x 30 inches; landscape orientation with a white border and typographic title at the bottom.
Subject Description
The image depicts a traditional New Orleans Jazz Funeral second-line parade. It features musicians in formal black suits and tuxedos playing brass instruments, including a prominent trombonist and trumpeter, accompanied by 'second liners' carrying colorful umbrellas and wearing top hats. The setting includes graveyard motifs (tombstones on the left) and a large, expressive tree in the background.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Fair; the print shows significant signs of age and poor storage conditions.
Estimated Market Value
$50 - $150 USD; value is limited by its status as a mass-produced commercial print and its current condition issues.
Auction Estimate
$30 - $80 USD
Provenance History
Likely acquired as a commercial souvenir or from a local gallery in New Orleans ('Liberty Gallery' label visible in extreme bottom left). It has remained in a private collection until the present.
Art Historical Significance
Representational of the popularization of New Orleans jazz culture through visual arts in the late 20th century. Richard Kern was a known commercial illustrator whose work captured the vibrant spirit of the city for the tourist and local market alike.
Notable Features
Features the stylized typography 'NEW ORLEANS JAZZ PARADE' at the bottom; a handwritten-style signature and date within the image; and a 'Liberty Gallery' mark.
Condition Issues
Visible water damage and staining in the upper right corner of the paper; noticeable yellowing/toning of the paper throughout; minor rippling (cockling) from humidity; the frame is a standard gold-tone metal frame with surface scratches.
Conservation Recommendations
Recommend removal from the acidic backing and original frame. A professional conservator could attempt to reduce the water staining, but the cost may exceed the value of the print. If preserved, it should be matted with acid-free materials and placed behind UV-protective glass.