Drummer Woodcut Appraisal

Jean Charlot 'Drummer' Woodcut Print

This item is a limited edition woodcut or linocut print by the notable French-Mexican artist Jean Charlot (1898–1979). The artwork depicts a stylized male figure playing a conga or tall drum, rendered in a bold, modernist aesthetic characteristic of Charlot’s work. The palette is minimalist, featuring a rich burnt umber or dark cocoa brown ink printed onto a warm, buff-colored paper. The composition uses thick, blocky lines and negative space to define the drummer's form and the geometric patterns on the drum. In the lower left corner, there is a hand-written edition number, appearing to be '44/500', and in the lower right, the artist's signature 'Jean Charlot' is visible in pencil. The print itself contains the artist's monogram 'JC' integrated into the block at the bottom edges. Physically, the print is housed in a professional frame with a neutral linen-textured mat. Condition-wise, the paper shows slight toning consistent with age, though the ink remains saturated. There are reflections on the glass, but the print surface appears stable without visible foxing or water damage. The style suggests a mid-20th-century production, likely influenced by the artist's time in Hawaii or Mexico, showcasing his signature fusion of Indigenous themes with modern abstraction.