Two Young Girls by a Weathered Barn
Limited edition print (lithograph or offset lithograph) on paper • Dean Hippensteel (signed and numbered 492/500)
Style & Movement
Contemporary American Realism/Nostalgic Folk Realism
Medium & Technique
Mechanical print of an original pen and ink or charcoal drawing with watercolor/gouache washes; utilizes fine cross-hatching and tonal graduation
Creation Period
Late 20th Century (specifically 1979 based on signature date)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 20 x 16 inches (visible image), vertical portrait format
Subject Description
Two young girls in white dresses stand before a dilapidated wooden barn structure. The composition includes rustic elements like a wooden barrel, wire fencing, and weathered planks. The high-contrast lighting creates deep shadows within the barn interior, emphasizing the texture of the aged wood.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good/Very Good; the print appears stable within the frame, though there is potential for light-induced fading common in late 20th-century prints.
Estimated Market Value
US$50 - US$150
Auction Estimate
US$30 - US$80
Provenance History
Acquired through a secondary market or local gallery; numbered '492/500' indicates a retail edition intended for general collectors during the 1970s-80s.
Art Historical Significance
Representative of the late 20th-century trend for rural, nostalgic Americana art. Such works were popularized by artists like Andrew Wyeth and were widely collected in the 1970s and 80s for home decor.
Notable Features
Includes a double signature (plate-signed and hand-signed in pencil) with a specific limited edition number (492/500); the meticulous rendering of wood texture is the artwork's strongest technical feature.
Condition Issues
Glass glare suggests the framing may not have UV protection; potential acidity from the matting could cause yellowing over time if not archival; slight rippling of paper is possible under the mat.
Conservation Recommendations
Ensure the artwork is kept out of direct sunlight to prevent fading. If not already archival, consider reframing with acid-free matting and UV-protective glass.