Thomas Blackshear Ii Art Appraisal

Watchers In The Night Print by Thomas Blackshear II, 1998

This is a color art print titled "Watchers In The Night" by renowned artist Thomas Blackshear II, dating to 1998. The print depicts a celestial figure, likely an angel or guardian, standing vigil over a sleeping child. The guardian figure is dominant in the upper left and center of the composition, rendered with large, majestic white wings and clad in flowing white robes. The figure holds a glowing light source, possibly a candle or magical orb, in cupped hands and a spear or staff in the other. Their gaze is directed forward and slightly downwards, conveying a sense of watchfulness and protection. In the lower right of the print, a child is shown peacefully asleep in bed, covered by blankets. The dark background emphasizes the illuminated figures, creating a dramatic contrast. The print appears to be on a good quality paper stock, with crisp colors and well-defined details. There are visible white margins around the printed image, indicating it is likely an unframed print or poster. The title "Watchers In The Night" is printed below the image in a dark serif font, along with a biblical verse or inspirational quote, though the small text is difficult to fully decipher from the image. The print shows light handling wear on the edges and corners of the white border, consistent with its age and presentation as an unframed piece, but no major tears, creases, or discoloration within the main image area are evident. The craftsmanship in the original artwork, translated through this print, demonstrates Blackshear's characteristic blend of classical and contemporary styles, particularly in the rendering of dramatic lighting and expressive figures. The overall condition suggests it has been stored without significant exposure to elements.