Geometric Field (likely from 'Ovation' or 'Red and Gold' series)
Print on heavy wove paper, formatted for portrait or landscape display depending on the full composition. • Michael Gallagher (American, b. 1945). Hand-signed in pencil below the image area.
Style & Movement
Contemporary Geometric Abstraction / Op Art influences. Characterized by Hard-edge abstraction and an exploration of flat spatial depth through color interaction.
Medium & Technique
Serigraph (Silk Screen) with metallic inks. Employs flat color planes and precise registration to create a rhythmic grid of red squares over grey-blue rhomboids on a textured gold ground.
Creation Period
Late 20th Century, likely circa 1980-1995.
Dimensions & Format
Estimated image size 20x24 inches (actual sheet size larger). Landscape or squared format commonly used by the artist.
Subject Description
Non-objective geometric composition featuring a repeating grid. Small red squares are centered over larger, tilted grey squares, creating an optical vibration against a shimmering metallic gold background. The work explores repetition, rhythm, and the visual tension between fixed and shifting forms.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Very Good. The paper appears bright with strong, saturated pigments and no visible foxing or humidity damage in the signature area.
Estimated Market Value
$300 - $600 USD (based on typical retail for Gallagher's mid-sized signed serigraphs).
Auction Estimate
$150 - $350 USD.
Provenance History
Likely acquired via a contemporary art gallery or high-end print publisher in the 1980s/90s. Presence of a pencil signature suggests an authorized limited edition.
Art Historical Significance
Gallagher's work is representative of the late 20th-century trend of 'Abstract Illusionism' and geometric formalism. His use of metallic grounds was a hallmark of high-end printmaking in the 1980s, reflecting an interest in how light interacts with the surface of the artwork.
Notable Features
Bold graphite signature 'Michael Gallagher' visible in the lower margin. The interplay between the matte red ink and the reflective gold ground creates a dynamic visual effect that changes depending on the viewer's angle.
Condition Issues
Possible minor mat burn or light toning at the very edge of the mount; the metallic ink seems stable, though these surfaces are prone to scuffing if handled without glazing.
Conservation Recommendations
Ensure the work is mounted using acid-free, archival materials. High-quality UV-protective glass or acrylic is recommended to prevent fading of the red pigments and oxidation of the metallic inks.