Saluda Rapids Painting Appraisal

Saluda Rapids - Original Watercolor by Guy Lipscomb (1978)

This is an original watercolor painting on paper titled 'Saluda Rapids,' executed in 1978 by the renowned South Carolina artist Guy Lipscomb (1917–2009). The artwork depicts a serene river landscape, likely near the Saluda River, featuring the artist's signature loose, impressionistic style with a focus on fluid water and natural textures. The color palette is dominated by earth tones, mossy greens, and cool silvies and blues, showcasing expert wet-on-wet techniques in the reflections and fine dry-brush work in the foreground foliage and skeletal branches. In the middle ground, small figures are seen wading and fishing, providing a sense of scale and human interaction with nature. The piece is signed 'Guy Lipscomb' in the lower right corner in his characteristic block-lettering style. Physically, the work appears to be housed in a thin metallic-toned frame behind a neutral-colored mat. As a 1978 piece, it represents Lipscomb's established mid-career period, demonstrating high-quality pigment handling and a professional mastery of light and shadow. The visible condition suggests it has been well-maintained, though some minor aging to the matting is common for pieces of this era. Lipscomb was a foundational figure in the South Carolina art scene, and his work is characterized by this specific blend of regional subject matter and sophisticated watercolor technique.