Autumn Sun-Light (or Birch Trees in Autumn)
Chromo-lithographic print or offset lithograph; commercial art print • Gustave Adolph Wiegand (German-American, 1870–1957); Published by The Frederickson Co., Chicago
Style & Movement
Tonalism / American Impressionistic Landscape
Medium & Technique
Mechanical color printing on paper, likely lithography or early four-color process printing
Creation Period
1911 (based on the printed copyright date)
Dimensions & Format
Small to medium format; vertical / portrait orientation
Subject Description
A vertical landscape featuring a stand of slender birch trees. High-contrast sunlight filters through the canopy, casting long diagonal shadows across a grassy or mossy forest floor. The composition focuses on the interplay of light and shade in a woodland setting.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Fair; the print shows significant edge wear and has been crudely trimmed or handled, and is currently mounted on rough cardboard.
Estimated Market Value
$20 - $50 (USD)
Auction Estimate
$10 - $30 (USD)
Provenance History
Mass-produced for the commercial art market by The Frederickson Co. in 1911; likely sold as a decorative lithograph for home interiors.
Art Historical Significance
Represents the early 20th-century American trend of 'parlor art,' where works by established landscape painters like Wiegand were reproduced for the middle class by companies like Frederickson.
Notable Features
Features the artist's printed signature 'G. Wiegand' in the lower right and a specific '© 1911, THE FREDERICKSON CO., CHI' copyright line in the margin.
Condition Issues
Visible corner and edge damage, surface scuffs, possible fading from light exposure, and acidic cardboard backing which can lead to paper degradation.
Conservation Recommendations
Remove from the acidic cardboard backing, mount on acid-free mat board, and frame under UV-protective glass to prevent further fading.