Study for 'The River' (Die Strom)
Print or mixed media work on paper • After Aristide Maillol (1861–1944) or comparable Nabis school influence
Style & Movement
Modernism / Les Nabis influence; characterized by decorative abstraction and organic figurative forms.
Medium & Technique
Lithograph or color woodcut with possible hand-tinting; features a decorative, tapestry-like flatten-surface technique with rhythmic contours.
Creation Period
Original composition c. 1912-1920; this iteration likely mid-20th century print reproduction
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 24 x 12 inches; vertical portrait orientation (narrow panel format).
Subject Description
A vertical composition of numerous reclining female nudes stacked or flowing in a river-like movement. The iconography represents the 'eternal feminine' and the rhythmic flow of nature, typical of early 20th-century decorative modernism.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good to Fair. Visible darkening of the paper and possible light staining/acidification from the mount.
Estimated Market Value
$150 - $400 USD (as a decorative print/reproduction)
Auction Estimate
$100 - $300 USD
Provenance History
Unknown; appears to be in a mid-to-late 20th-century framing which suggests private collection or decorative acquisition.
Art Historical Significance
Reflects the transition from late Impressionism to Modernist sculpture and decorative arts. It emphasizes the 'Return to Order' and classical forms popularized by artists like Maillol and Maurice Denis.
Notable Features
Rhythmic, interlocking composition of bodies that creates a textural pattern reminiscent of a bas-relief sculpture.
Condition Issues
Paper yellowing (toning), minor surface grime, and potential mat burn along the edges.
Conservation Recommendations
Remove from current acidic mounting; use acid-free archival matting and UV-protective glass to prevent further fading and toning.