Framed Original Cougar Pastel Portrait

This is an original representational wildlife painting of a cougar (mountain lion) executed in pastel on a suede pastel board. The artwork measures approximately 8x10 inches and is housed in a 10x12 inch professional exhibition frame. The composition features a close-up, front-facing view of the cougar peering from behind white birch trees, showcasing a soft, blended color palette of tawny browns, creams, and dark charcoal accents for the eyes and facial features. The use of suede board provides a unique textured depth, allowing the pastel pigments to grip the surface while creating a velvety, soft-focus aesthetic characteristic of high-quality wildlife art. The piece is signed and dated in the lower left corner, appearing to read '2023'. The framing consists of a wide, reddish-brown wood or wood-composite frame with a scooped profile, complemented by a dual-matting system: a wider light-gray outer mat and a thin black inner fillet or reveal. The condition appears excellent with no visible fading, smudging, or damage to the substrate, and the framing demonstrates professional craftsmanship with tight miters and clean mat cuts. Consistent with contemporary realistic wildlife illustration, the piece exhibits strong attention to light and facial anatomy.

I have conducted a visual inspection of this original pastel wildlife portrait of a cougar on suede board. The piece (8x10 artwork in a 10x12 frame) exhibits high technical proficiency. The use of suede board as a substrate is a deliberate choice that enhances the realistic texture of the feline's fur, a technique favored by specialized wildlife artists. Given the '2023' date and the current condition, the work is graded as Excellent. The professional framing, featuring a dual-matting system and contemporary wood frame, adds approximately $120–$150 in value to the piece. The market for realistic North American wildlife art remains stable, particularly for intimate, high-detail animal portraits. Comparables for signed, original pastel works of this size by emerging to mid-career representational artists typically fall within the $400-$700 range. The value is bolstered by the technical execution of the eyes and the sophisticated birch tree composition, which provides depth. However, because this examination was conducted via photographic evidence, certain limitations apply. I cannot definitively verify the pigment stability or the presence of acid-free archival materials in the matting, which impacts long-term preservation value. A physical inspection would be required to confirm the artist's signature against known databases and to ensure no hidden smudging or substrate warping exists under the glass. Full authentication would require a provenance record or a Bill of Sale from the artist or gallery of origin.