Framed Abstract Figurative Portrait by Shepard

This is an original mixed-media artwork, likely a combination of charcoal, graphite, and impasto oil or acrylic paint on paper, featuring the portrait of a young child. The piece is characterized by an expressive, modern style where the centralized, delicately rendered face of the child contrasts sharply with the frantic, gestural strokes of dark paint and sketch marks that frame the head. The palette is monochromatic with hints of ochre and deep sienna within the darker values. The artist's signature 'Shepard' is clearly visible in the lower right quadrant of the image area. The work is professionally mounted with a double mat—the inner a dark wood or metal fillet and the outer a linen-textured mat—and is housed in a contemporary silver-toned wood frame with subtle distressing along the edges. The condition of the artwork appears excellent under glass, with no visible foxing, fading, or moisture damage. The frame shows minor surface-level scuffs consistent with age and display. The style and framing materials suggest a late 20th-century production, likely between 1970 and 1990. The craftsmanship reflects a high degree of technical skill in both realist portraiture and abstract expressionism.