Triple Ballerina Portrait and Studies
Multi-image print (likely a solar etching or color lithograph) on cardstock or cream paper • Undetermined contemporary artist. Signature at bottom right is blurry but suggests an individual studio printmaker rather than a mass-production house.
Style & Movement
Contemporary Figurative / Post-Modern Printmaking with influences of Pop Art repetition and Romanticism.
Medium & Technique
Printmaking process, potentially involving photo-mechanical reproduction or solar etching. Features a recurring image of a dancer in three distinct color or exposure variations with soft, grainy texture.
Creation Period
Late 20th Century, circa 1970s–1990s
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 10 x 18 inches; horizontal landscape format
Subject Description
The composition features three iterations of a ballerina in a classical tutu and pointe shoes. The central figure is more sharply defined, flanked by two more ethereal, ghost-like versions in different tonal washes. The subject mimics the style of Degas but through a modern photographic/filtered lens.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Fair to Good. There is significant reflection on the glass indicating poor mounting, and the colors appear to have faded or shifted toward a sepia/pink tint due to light exposure.
Estimated Market Value
$50 - $150 USD
Auction Estimate
$30 - $80 USD
Provenance History
Likely acquired via a gallery or art fair; contains a professional double-matting and dark frame typical of 1980s-90s interior decor. No visible gallery labels in the photo.
Art Historical Significance
Minor. The piece serves as an example of decorative printmaking from the late 20th century, exploring the seriality of image-making popular after Andy Warhol's influence reached commercial studio art.
Notable Features
The visible artist signature and the triptych-style arrangement on a single sheet evoke a 'proof' or 'process' aesthetic that was a popular stylistic choice in 1980s printmaking.
Condition Issues
Visible fading/discoloration of the paper (acidification), moisture rippling (cockling) behind the glass, and possible foxing/dark spots in the upper right quadrant of the third panel.
Conservation Recommendations
Remove from current acidic mounting and replace with acid-free materials. Clean glass and house in a UV-protective frame to prevent further color degradation. Keep away from direct sunlight.