Standing Dancer with Headdress
Painting on paper • Modern Contemporary Artist (unidentified); likely an active regional painter or student of the Neo-Expressionist style
Style & Movement
Contemporary Figurative / Neo-Expressionism
Medium & Technique
Acrylic or gouache on paper; expressive wet-on-dry brushwork with vibrant impasto highlights and color blocking
Creation Period
Late 20th to early 21st Century (c. 1990-2010)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 18 x 24 inches; vertical portrait format
Subject Description
A stylized female figure in a white costume and elaborate feathered headdress. She is posed with one leg raised on a block-like form, holding a draped garment. The composition uses a dark, atmospheric background contrasted with a vertical red band, evoking a theatrical or backstage setting.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Very Good; the work appears stable within its frame with no visible flaking or significant degradation
Estimated Market Value
$200 - $500 (based on decorative value for an unattributed contemporary work)
Auction Estimate
$150 - $300
Provenance History
Unknown; likely acquired via a local gallery, estate sale, or directly from the artist. The modern black frame suggests recent residential ownership.
Art Historical Significance
The piece demonstrates a modern engagement with the 'performer' motif popularized by Degas and Lautrec, reinterpreted through a bold, expressive palette and non-naturalistic skin tones, reflecting an interest in theatricality and movement.
Notable Features
Dynamic use of electric blue, yellow, and red highlights to define the musculature of the figure; high-contrast chiaroscuro between the subject and the void-like background.
Condition Issues
Minor paper undulating (buckling) visible under the glass, which is common for water-based media on paper; no significant losses or UV damage apparent.
Conservation Recommendations
Ensure the work is mounted using acid-free materials; suggest replacing standard glass with UV-protective museum glass to prevent pigment fading.