Wash Day
Print on handmade paper, likely a collotype or high-quality lithograph • Attributed to Robert Hongvanth
Style & Movement
Contemporary Realism with Romanticist/Nostalgic influences
Medium & Technique
Lithography or collotype process using monochromatic ink on heavy-gauge deckle-edged handmade paper
Creation Period
Late 20th Century (circa 1970s-1980s)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 18 x 24 inches; Vertical Portrait format
Subject Description
A domestic interior scene depicting a partially nude woman in bloomers pouring water from a kettle into a washbasin. A small stove and a chair with discarded clothing are visible, suggesting a theme of historical or rustic daily life.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good; showing some age-related toning and minor surface distortions typical of textured handmade paper
Estimated Market Value
$100 - $300
Auction Estimate
$75 - $150
Provenance History
Acquired from an estate sale; likely originally sold through decorators or regional galleries in the late 20th century
Art Historical Significance
A representative example of the 20th-century trend of 'nostalgia art,' which utilized historical costuming and traditional media to evoke a sense of pre-industrial domesticity.
Notable Features
Distinguished by the prominent deckled (uneven) edges of the paper and the artist's signature visible in the upper-left quadrant.
Condition Issues
Evident rippling (cockling) of the paper consistent with humidity changes or mounting method; possible minor light-staining/fading from UV exposure.
Conservation Recommendations
Should be remounted using acid-free, archival materials and protected under UV-filtering glass to prevent further yellowing and paper degradation.
Collector Notes
Estate sales