AI Appraisal Estimate

This is a large-format wildlife art print by renowned artist Daniel Smith, depicting a cougar (mountain lion) standing on a rocky outcrop beneath gnarled trees, with two magpies in the foreground. The piece is a limited edition lithographic print, evidenced by the pencil numbering '234/650' and the artist's signature in the lower left corner. The artwork showcases exceptional realism with a focus on light and texture, particularly in the rendering of the fur, the parched bark of the trees, and the stratified desert rocks. It is housed in a high-quality professional frame featuring a wide, textured dark brown moulding that mimics 'tooled leather' or distressed wood. The framing includes a triple matting—a wide sage-green outer mat with a stone-like texture, followed by thin burgundy and cream-colored inner mats that provide depth and draw focus to the vertical composition. The overall condition appears excellent with no visible fading, foxing, or moisture damage to the paper. The colors are vibrant, ranging from dusty earth tones and sun-bleached greys to the sharp contrast of the black and white birds. The level of detail suggests a late 20th-century or early 21st-century production, characteristic of Smith's contemporary wildlife realism style.

I have virtually examined this large-format limited edition print 'Prowling Cougar' by Daniel Smith. The piece is numbered 234/650, which places it within a moderately sized edition for contemporary wildlife realism. Smith is a highly regarded artist in this genre, known for his technical precision. Based on visual inspection, the item is in excellent condition; there is no evidence of UV fading, acidity in the matting, or foxing. The professional framing is a significant value-add, featuring triple mats and a high-quality 'tooled leather' style moulding that complements the Western aesthetic. Demand for Smith’s work remains steady among wildlife enthusiasts, though the secondary market for offset lithographs has softened compared to the 1990s peak. This valuation reflects the artwork's scale and the premium framing. Note that this appraisal is based on photographic evidence. A physical inspection is required to confirm the print is not a later reproduction and to verify signatures are hand-applied in pencil rather than printed. I would need to examine the paper’s watermark and inspect the reverse of the print for an original Certificate of Authenticity (COA) to provide a definitive authentication. Limitations include the inability to inspect the art out of the frame for hidden mounting damage or to verify if archival, acid-free materials were used throughout.