Morgan Art Appraisal

Tug of War Monochrome Print after Frederick Morgan

The item is a monochrome print depicting the scene from Frederick Morgan's 'Tug of War'. The print is rectangular in shape and appears to be a photogravure or similar process given the tonal range and detail visible. The image portrays children engaged in a game of tug of war, with adult figures supervising from the background. The print is rendered in shades of gray and black, consistent with a monochrome reproduction. It is currently presented matted with a wide, off-white or cream-colored mat board. The mat has been recently applied, indicated by the clean cut edges and lack of visible aging or damage to the mat itself. The print itself shows some signs of age, such as slight foxing or discoloration in the lighter areas, particularly noticeable in the sky or background details. There may also be minor surface abrasions or handling creases, though these are not clearly discernible from the image. The print is signed or inscribed on the left side, likely with the artist's name or a reproduction signature. There is also a small inscription or marking in the lower left corner, possibly a plate mark or publisher identifier. The overall condition of the print appears fair to good, with the matting providing a fresh presentation. The style is typical of late Victorian or Edwardian genre scenes, focusing on everyday life and often featuring children in idyllic settings. The craftsmanship of the print itself, if it is an original process like photogravure, would involve complex printing techniques to achieve the rich tonal values.