Lake with Pink Water Lilies
Print, likely a photolithograph or digital print on paper • Dennis Mansell (Signed in the lower right margin)
Style & Movement
Contemporary Decorative Photography / Pictorialism Influence
Medium & Technique
Inks on paper with selective hand-coloring or digital color isolation; landscape photography base with a high-contrast black and white palette and localized pink accents on lilies
Creation Period
Late 20th to early 21st century (c. 1990-2010)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 16 x 20 inches (including frame), landscape orientation, square image format within rectangular mount
Subject Description
A tranquil lake scene featuring dense foliage and trees in the background, a single white swan in the mid-ground, and prominent clusters of pink water lilies in the foreground. The composition uses a classic diagonal recession and mirror-like reflections on the water's surface.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good/Fair; the print shows some rippling (cockling) behind the glass and potential light discoloration/fading congruent with display in a thrift environment.
Estimated Market Value
$20 - $50
Auction Estimate
$10 - $30
Provenance History
Acquired through secondary retail market (CommunityAid thrift store label visible on glass, priced at $8.99); previous private household ownership likely.
Art Historical Significance
Representational of mass-market decorative art photography popularized in the late 1990s. The artist, Dennis Mansell, is known for tranquil landscape scenes often sold in galleries catering to interior design and home decor.
Notable Features
Hand-signed by the artist in the lower right; use of selective color (pink) against a monochromatic background to create a focal point; housed in a rustic light-wood frame.
Condition Issues
Paper cockling/warping due to humidity or poor mounting; minor staining on the bottom edge of the matting; thrift store adhesive label on glass surface.
Conservation Recommendations
Acid-free re-matting to prevent further yellowing; removal of the adhesive label using a glass-safe solvent; display away from direct UV sunlight to prevent further fading of the pink pigments.