Falling Star
Exhibition Poster (Reproduction) • Romare Bearden (American, 1911–1988); Published for the Telfair Museum of Art
Style & Movement
Harlem Renaissance legacy / African American Modernism; Cubist and Abstract Expressionist influences
Medium & Technique
Offset lithographic printing on paper; based on a 1979 original lithograph. The original image employs Romare Bearden's signature collage-style aesthetic with flattened planes of color and graphic silhouettes.
Creation Period
Late 20th century (c. 1980s-1990s based on museum branding)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 25.25 x 20.75 inches for the image area; framed in a vertical portrait format with a wide black border and text bottom-edge height.
Subject Description
A domestic interior scene featuring a silhouetted figure of a Black woman in a colorful robe holding a cup. Through the window, a celestial event or 'falling star' is visible. The composition uses fractured perspective and vibrant, mismatched color blocks characteristic of Bearden's collage work.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good to Very Good; visible light reflections on the glass suggest standard residential display, but colors appear vibrant with no obvious fading or foxing.
Estimated Market Value
$50 - $150 USD
Auction Estimate
$40 - $100 USD
Provenance History
Likely purchased from the Telfair Museum of Art gift shop (Savannah, Georgia) or a similar institutional retailer; licensed by VAGA, New York and the Romare Bearden Foundation.
Art Historical Significance
This poster reproduces a significant 1979 work that exemplifies Bearden's focus on African American ritual and everyday life. While the poster itself is a mass-produced item, it represents the enduring popularity and educational mission of the Telfair Museum regarding Bearden's technical innovation in collage and printmaking.
Notable Features
Includes detailed museum typography at the bottom identifying the work, original dimensions (23 1/4 x 18 1/8 in.), and legal licensing by VAGA and the Romare Bearden Foundation. Framed with a distinctive red mat and thin silver metal frame.
Condition Issues
Potential minor acid migration from non-archival framing materials; slight bowing of the paper under the glass; minor scuffs to the metallic frame edges.
Conservation Recommendations
Ensure the use of UV-filtering glass and acid-free matting to prevent fading and discoloration. Keep out of direct sunlight and high-humidity areas.