1950s Art Appraisal

The Algoma Story (1955) by H. Johnson

The item is a framed print or artwork, signed by H. Johnson and titled "The Algoma Story," dated 1955. The artwork depicts a dynamic aurora borealis (Northern Lights) scene with vibrant greens and blues illuminating a dark sky above a more muted, rocky or mountainous landscape. There is a prominent, abstract white symbol resembling an atom or a stylized atom model (nucleus with orbiting electrons) centrally placed within the aurora. The composition is visually striking, with the bright, energetic colors of the aurora contrasting with the darker, more grounded bottom portion of the image. The print is housed under glass and is set within a light-colored, possibly natural wood or wood-tone frame. The frame features a light-colored fabric or linen matting, which provides a neutral border around the artwork. The overall construction appears typical for a framed print from its presumed era. Visible condition issues include some general wear to the frame and possibly the matting commensurate with its age, though specific damage is not clearly discernible from the provided images. The glass covering appears intact, protecting the artwork. The choice of subject matter, combined with the abstract scientific symbol, suggests a potential thematic connection between natural phenomena and scientific understanding, which was a common motif in mid-20th-century art and design. The signature 'H. Johnson' and the title 'The Algoma Story 1955' provide critical manufacturing and dating details, placing its creation in the mid-century modern period.