Hangchow
Original limited edition print on paper • Whitley (signed bottom right); likely a Western artist interpreting East Asian landscapes.
Style & Movement
Contemporary Modernism with influence from East Asian Ink Wash painting (Shui-mo) and Japonisme.
Medium & Technique
Lithograph or Serigraph; characterized by flat color planes, stippled textures for tree foliage, and layered ink to create atmospheric perspective.
Creation Period
Late 20th Century (circa 1970s–1980s)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 20 x 24 inches (including margins); Vertical Portrait format.
Subject Description
A view of West Lake in Hangzhou (Hangchow), China. The composition features a foreground of dark coniferous and bare deciduous trees, leading to a middle-ground causeway and a traditional Chinese pavilion. Two small figures are visible on the path. The background consists of a vast, misty lake and distant landmasses rendered in soft, muted tones.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good/Very Good; the paper appears flat, though there is potential light-induced fading in the upper sky tones.
Estimated Market Value
$150 - $350 USD
Auction Estimate
$100 - $250 USD
Provenance History
Numbered edition 115/225; suggests a commercial gallery or art publisher distribution in the late 20th century.
Art Historical Significance
A representative example of late 20th-century decorative printmaking that bridged Western graphic design with Eastern topographical subjects. It reflects the reopening of China to Western eyes in the post-Mao era.
Notable Features
Hand-signed 'Whitley' in pencil; titled 'Hangchow' in graphite; numbered 115/225. Notable for its delicate use of negative space to represent mist over the water.
Condition Issues
Visible reflection on glass suggests potential for UV exposure; slight localized discoloration in the white margins (foxing) may be present but hard to confirm under glass.
Conservation Recommendations
Recommend reframing with acid-free archival matting and UV-protective museum glass to prevent further fading of the sensitive pastel inks.