Transvestite Stepping off Curb (Title descriptive as per owner information)
Painting on wood panel • Miriam Fried
Style & Movement
American Modernism / Figurative Abstraction
Medium & Technique
Acrylic or oil paint on wood panel, featuring bold black outlines and flat color planes in a semi-abstracted style reminiscent of late Modernism
Creation Period
Mid to late 20th century (circa 1960s-1980s)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 42 x 48 inches (3.5 x 4 feet); Landscape orientation
Subject Description
A semi-abstracted composition depicting a figure's legs and feet stepping onto or off a pavement/curb. The work uses organic shapes and earth tones (ochre, tan, green) divided by dark, heavy contour lines that lend a graphic quality to the scene.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good; the panel appears structurally sound, though there is visible surface glare and potential minor surface abrasions
Estimated Market Value
USD 500 - 1,500 (Subject to verification of exhibition history and regional market demand for the artist)
Auction Estimate
USD 300 - 800
Provenance History
Gifted by the artist's son to the current owner for assisting in the preservation of the artist's estate collection (provenance by gift/direct descent)
Art Historical Significance
Representational of the mid-century trend toward flattening the picture plane and using heavy contours to bridge the gap between realism and abstraction. As a female artist of that period, Fried contributes to the narrative of regional American Modernism.
Notable Features
The large-scale format is significant for a work on wood panel. The provenance connecting it to the artist's son and the preservation of her life's work adds sentimental and authentic value to the piece.
Condition Issues
Visible surface reflection suggests a glossy varnish or natural sheen that may obscure details; potential minor scuffing along the edges where the wood panel is exposed; general aging of the wood support which may be prone to warping if not properly braced.
Conservation Recommendations
Maintain in a climate-controlled environment with stable humidity to prevent wood warp. Use UV-filtered lighting. Surface cleaning should only be performed by a professional conservator to identify if the medium is oil or acrylic.
Collector Notes
Miriam Fried, on wood, transvestite stepping off curb, 3.5 feet by 4 feet. Given by artists son for saving paintings.