Thistle Botanical Print Appraisal

Framed Thistle Botanical Print by Lydia deForest

This item is a framed botanical artwork, likely a print or possibly a watercolor, depicting a thistle plant. The image features a central stalk with multiple thistle heads, rendered in soft pink and brown tones. The thistle heads are prominent, with the characteristic spiky appearance of the plant's bloom, though presented in a somewhat ethereal or artistic manner, suggesting a watercolor effect or soft focus. The stem is depicted with visible thorns along its length, colored in a muted brown. The artwork is centered on a light, possibly off-white or cream-colored, paper or mat board. Below the main botanical illustration, to the right, there appears to be a signature in a cursive script, which is partially legible as 'Lydia deForest' or similar, indicating the artist or printmaker. The artwork is housed within a simple, rectangular wooden frame with a medium-dark brown finish, exhibiting a visible wood grain, possibly oak or a similar hardwood. The frame has a classic profile with a slight bevel towards the interior, leading to a protective glass or acrylic glazing. A light-colored mat board, possibly off-white or light gray, surrounds the artwork, providing a visual border between the image and the frame. The overall condition appears good, with no obvious major damage to the frame or the artwork visible from the provided image, though minor scuffs or dust on the frame and glass are possible. The frame's corners appear to be mitered and well-joined, indicative of standard framing practices. The style of the artwork is botanical illustration with an artistic interpretation, suggesting a contemporary or late 20th-century to early 21st-century period.