Denue Art Appraisal

Raven Stealing Sun Art Print by Denny Denue

This item is a framed art print featuring a stylized depiction of a raven, characteristic of Northwest Coast Indigenous art. The print measures approximately 10-12 inches in height and 7-9 inches in width, framed. The artwork itself is rendered in a minimalist color palette, primarily black, white, and a muted grey, with accents of rust-red/orange and a distinct teal/green circle. The raven's form is highly abstract, utilizing ovoids, U-forms, and S-forms, which are fundamental design elements in this art tradition. The raven is depicted holding a large, solid teal/green sphere in its beak, which likely symbolizes the sun, referencing the 'Raven Stealing the Sun' creation myth. The lines are clean and precise, indicating a high quality of print production. Visible text at the bottom left of the print reads 'Raven Stealing Sun' and is signed 'Denny Denue', likely the artist's name. The print is housed within a simple, mitered, dark brown wooden frame, appearing to be crafted from a stained softwood or composite material. The frame has a flat profile with a slight beveled edge on the inside. There are some minor condition issues visible on the frame, including light scuffs and scratches consistent with handling and age, particularly noticeable along the edges. The artwork appears to be well-preserved behind glass or acrylic glazing, showing no overt signs of fading, creases, or water damage. The overall aesthetic suggests it is a contemporary piece, likely produced in the late 20th or early 21st century, drawing directly from traditional Indigenous artistic heritage. The simplicity of the frame allows the artwork to be the focal point, indicating a focus on the art itself rather than elaborate presentation.