The Nature of Peace
Limited edition relief print on paper • Attributed to the artist signing as 'MN' (possibly an American or European printmaker active mid-late 20th century)
Style & Movement
Modernist / Abstract Expressionist influence with semi-figurative elements
Medium & Technique
Linocut or woodcut with chine collé technique (the repeated word 'words' in the white areas)
Creation Period
Circa 1970s - 1980s based on aesthetics and signature style
Dimensions & Format
Portrait orientation; estimated frame size 24 x 18 inches, image approximately 18 x 12 inches. Edition marked 26/45.
Subject Description
A vertical composition featuring a stylized, abstracted figure or hand holding an object, possibly a chalice or trophy, set against an ochre background. The internal white forms are filled with the repeating word 'words', suggesting a narrative of communication or the hollow nature of rhetoric.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good; visible minor foxing and discoloration on the margins of the paper.
Estimated Market Value
$300 - $600 USD
Auction Estimate
$200 - $400 USD
Provenance History
Unknown; contemporary framing suggests private collection ownership in the late 20th to early 21st century.
Art Historical Significance
A representative piece of late-20th-century printmaking that utilizes text-as-image, exploring the intersection of graphic design and traditional fine art print techniques.
Notable Features
The use of repetitive text (the word 'words') to create texture and volume within the primary figure; hand-titled 'The Nature of Peace' in pencil at the lower left.
Condition Issues
Yellowing of the paper support, minor foxing/spotting in lower margins near the title and signature; slight undulation of the paper under the mat.
Conservation Recommendations
Professional cleaning to mitigate foxing; remounting with acid-free archival matting and UV-protective glass to prevent further yellowing.