Japanese Family Lithograph Appraisal

Edna Hibel Japanese Family Lithograph with Gold Leaf

This is a multifaceted work by the American artist Edna Hibel (1917–2011), known for her sentimental portraits and intricate mixed media techniques. The piece depicts a Japanese woman carrying one child in a traditional back sling (onbu) while another child stands before her. The composition is notable for its rich texture and use of gold leaf or metallic gold pigments in the background, which creates a luminous, ethereal quality characteristic of Hibel\'s Asian-inspired series. The figures are rendered with soft, porcelain-like skin tones that contrast sharply with the vibrant, expressionistic brushwork of their kimonos, which feature layers of crimson, blue, and ochre. The work appears to be an original lithograph or a serigraph enhanced with hand-applied pigments and gold leaf on paper. The artist’s signature is visible in the lower right corner, executed in her distinctive cursive hand. The piece is housed behind glass in a professional conservation-grade white matting, which protects the delicate surface textures. The condition appears excellent with no visible foxing, fading of the primary pigments, or peeling of the gold leaf. The style dates to the late 20th century, specifically the 1970s or 1980s, during which Hibel extensively explored themes of international motherhood and family bonds. The craftsmanship is evident in the delicate blending of the facial features and the complex layering of colors in the textiles.