1955 Framed Art Appraisal

The Algoma Story by H. Johnson (1955)

The item is a framed piece of artwork, likely a print, titled "The Algoma Story," created in 1955 and signed by H. Johnson. The artwork itself depicts what appears to be an abstract or symbolic representation, featuring a prominent, gnarled tree root or piece of driftwood in the foreground, rendered in a muted brown/beige tone. Above this, the background transitions into a vibrant display of what resembles the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) in shades of green, with elements of scientific or atomic symbolism, specifically white lines forming an atomic orbital model with radiating points, suggesting an interplay of nature and technology or scientific discovery. The overall color palette is a blend of earthy tones in the lower half and brighter, ethereal greens and whites in the upper half. The artwork is housed under glass within a simple, gold-toned wooden frame. The frame shows some signs of wear, particularly nicks and scratches visible along the bottom edge, indicating its age and handling over time. A golden-colored plaque or nameplate is affixed to the matte below the artwork, likely displaying the title and artist's information, though the specific text is unreadable from the image. The white matte surrounding the artwork appears to be a standard museum-quality or archival matte, providing a clean border. The condition of the artwork itself, beneath the glass, appears to be good with no obvious major damage or discoloration visible, though reflections on the glass obscure some details. The craftsmanship of the framing appears to be professional, typical of mid-20th-century presentation for artwork.