Double Profile Portrait of Two Young Girls
Drawing on paper, mounted within an oval mat • Signed 'Aunt Z' or 'Ann Z' (lower right); likely an amateur or regional portrait specialist.
Style & Movement
Mid-Century Illustration / Realist Portraiture with commercial art influences.
Medium & Technique
Mixed media involving watercolor washes, colored pencils, and graphite; utilized soft blending for skin tones and fine-line detailing for hair and facial features.
Creation Period
Mid-to-late 20th Century (circa 1960s–1980s), based on hairstyles and garment collar styles.
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 8 x 10 inches (sight size); Oval format within a rectangular frame.
Subject Description
A double profile portrait of two young girls, likely sisters, facing left. The composition uses overlapping silhouettes to suggest a familial bond. The figures wear yellow collared shirts against a subtle blue-wash background.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good; the colors remain vibrant, though there is visible toning and potential acidic staining along the mat edges.
Estimated Market Value
$50 - $150 USD
Auction Estimate
$30 - $100 USD
Provenance History
Unknown; likely commissioned as a family heirloom or gift, indicated by the familiar signature style.
Art Historical Significance
Representational of mid-century domestic portraiture and the tradition of 'shadow' or profile drawings used to capture childhood growth.
Notable Features
Distinctive cursive signature in the lower right; the 'stacked' profile composition mimics 19th-century silhouette traditions updated with mid-century color palettes.
Condition Issues
Visible surface scratches on the protective glass; slight yellowing of the paper (acidification) from the original wood pulp matting.
Conservation Recommendations
Remount using acid-free, archival museum board and UV-protective glazing to prevent further yellowing and fading of the delicate pigments.