Young Girl Drawing Appraisal

Original Graphite Portrait of a Young Girl by A. Blecha, 1973

This item is an original illustrative portrait of a young girl, executed in graphite or charcoal on paper. The artwork is signed and dated by the artist 'A. Blecha, 1973'. The drawing features a whimsical, slightly stylized rendering of a child with large, expressive eyes and a soft, bob-style haircut. The artist employs soft shading and blending techniques to create a dreamy, ethereal aesthetic typical of early 1970s illustrative portraiture. The figure is depicted wearing a ruffled or lace-trimmed collar, adding to the sentimental tone of the piece. The artwork is professionally matted with a dual-layered matting system featuring a dark thin inner border and a wider light-grey neutral mat. It is housed in a contemporary thin metallic silver-toned frame under glass. Regarding condition, the paper appears to be well-preserved within the frame, showing no immediate signs of foxing, water damage, or significant acid burn from the matting. The frame itself shows minor surface wear consistent with age. Notable features include the artist's smooth tonal transitions and the distinct period-specific character of the subject's features. This piece serves as a fine example of private commission or decorative portrait art from the mid-20th century.