Abstract Totemic Forms in a Landscape
Painting on canvas • Louis Spaulding Ragone (signed 'Louis Spaulding Ragone 1968' lower left)
Style & Movement
Mid-Century Modern / Abstract Surrealism. The work shares aesthetic affinities with the 'New York School' and the totemic abstractions of the 1950s and 60s.
Medium & Technique
Mixed media including oil or acrylic, metallic gold paint, and possibly ink or marker. The piece uses horizontal impasto texturing in the background and graphic, calligraphic line work for the vertical forms.
Creation Period
1968 (as dated by the artist)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 20 x 30 inches; landscape format
Subject Description
A surreal landscape featuring a series of dark, vertical, totemic or biomorphic structures that resemble skeletal figures or architectural spires. The composition is divided into a vibrant green foreground and a metallic gold 'sky' containing a faint circular sun or moon. A central figure appears more humanoid, standing amidst the abstract spires.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Very Good. The paint surface appears stable with slight undulations in the canvas tension. The metallic pigment shows typical minor oxidization or dulling consistent with age.
Estimated Market Value
$800 - $1,500
Auction Estimate
$500 - $900
Provenance History
Likely acquired from a regional gallery or the artist's estate in the Mid-Atlantic or Northeastern US where the artist was active. Current private collection.
Art Historical Significance
Ragone was an American artist active in the mid-20th century. This work is representative of the era's fascination with 'primitive' forms and Jungian archetypes, translated through a modernist, graphic lens. It reflects the transition from purely abstract expressionism to more structured, symbolic imagery.
Notable Features
Distinctive legibility of the signature and date; unusual juxtaposition of flat, graphic black forms against a textured metallic gold field.
Condition Issues
Minor surface dust; potential slight yellowing of a top varnish layer; minor frame-rubbing along the edges of the canvas.
Conservation Recommendations
Professional surface cleaning and a tension check of the canvas. Should be kept out of direct sunlight to prevent fading of the green pigments and protect the metallic finish.