Native American Woman with Jar Lithograph by Robert Redbird

This artwork is a signed lithograph by the celebrated Kiowa artist Robert Redbird (1939-2016). It features a central figure of a Native American woman draped in a voluminous white blanket, a signature motif of the artist. The blanket is rendered with soft, fluid shading in grays and blues to suggest depth and movement. Atop her head, she balances a dark, traditional polychrome jar. Her profile is visible, showcasing a serene expression and dark hair with white highlights. The background is a minimalist off-white or cream color, emphasizing the silhouette. The piece is signed 'Robert Redbird' in the lower right corner, likely accompanied by his characteristic feather symbol. The artwork is mounted on a brown textured mat board. Noteworthy condition issues include visible foxing and small brown moisture spots (staining) on the left side of the paper, as well as a more prominent rectangular discoloration mark on the central fold of the blanket. These signs of aging suggest the piece dates to the late 20th century. The craftsmanship reflects the Contemporary Native American Art movement, characterized by a smooth, airbrushed aesthetic and soulful representation of Indigenous identity.

Based on my visual examination of this lithograph, I have identified it as a signature work by Kiowa artist Robert Redbird. The piece captures his iconic 'blanket lady' motif, executed with the airbrushed aesthetics and fluid draping characteristic of his mid-to-late 20th-century production. The signature matches established examples of the artist's hand, including his stylized script and symbolic feather. However, the condition presents significant challenges. I observed notable foxing and moisture staining on the left margin, along with a rectangular discoloration mark on the central fold. These defects indicate past exposure to high humidity or acidic mounting materials, which detracts from the visual continuity the artist intended. In current market conditions, Robert Redbird's prints remain popular decorative items, but they are not rare given his prolific output. High-quality, pristine examples of his prints typically fetch $400-$600, but the existing biological growth (foxing) necessitates professional conservation to stop further deterioration, which lowers the current fair market value. It is vital to note that while this bears all the hallmarks of a Redbird print, definitive authentication is limited by digital viewing. A full physical inspection is required to determine the paper type, identify the specific edition number (if present but obscured by the mat), and confirm if it is a hand-signed lithograph versus a mechanical offset reproduction. Verification of provenance or a gallery receipt would bolster its marketability. Without physical inspection, I cannot rule out that the 'foxing' might be deeper substrate damage or that the signature is part of the print plate rather than hand-applied.