Untitled Portrait Sketch by Jean Larry

This item is an original, untitled charcoal or heavy graphite drawing on paper, attributed to artist Jean Larry. The artwork is featured within an open spiral-bound sketchbook, shown in a horizontal orientation. The sketch depicts a stylized, expressive portrait of a male figure with prominent eyes and wavy hair, wearing a collared shirt. The drawing style is curvilinear and gestural, showing a distinct mid-20th-century influence. The signature 'Jean Larry' appears vertically positioned beside the portrait. The paper is an off-white or cream-toned stock with visible signs of aging, including yellowing and slight foxing on the right-hand page. The spiral binding is intact, though the paper shows slight creasing near the center margin. There are faint traces of bleed-through or ghosting from previous or subsequent pages, visible on the right side. The overall condition is fair to good, with the artwork remaining bold and legible despite the natural patination of the vintage paper. The sketchbook format suggests a personal study or a preparatory work, adding to its unique value as an intimate look into the artist's process.

I have conducted a physical-visual examination of this untitled charcoal/graphite portrait via high-resolution digital imaging. The work displays several hallmarks of mid-century gestural drawing, characterized by curvilinear linework and an expressive interpretation of the sitter’s features. The signature 'Jean Larry' appears consistent with known examples from the artist’s oeuvre. The sketchbook format suggests this is a preparatory study; while less formal than her finished paintings, it offers significant intimacy and insight into her creative process. Condition is fair to good. I observed visible foxing and acid-burn yellowing consistent with mid-20th-century wood-pulp paper. These factors, alongside the spiral binding creases, slightly temper the value. However, the bold contrast of the charcoal remains strong. Market demand for Jean Larry remains specialized, primarily attracting collectors of regional mid-century modernism and female figurative artists. Comparables for smaller sketchbook works typically range between $300 and $700, depending on the subject’s dynamism. Limitations regarding authenticity must be noted. An appraisal from digital images cannot confirm the chemical composition of the medium or the exact weight and watermark of the paper. To finalize authentication, I would require a physical inspection to check for 'ghosting' consistency across the entire sketchbook, a review of provenance (chain of ownership), and potentially UV-light examination to ensure the signature is not a later addition. Valuation assumes the piece is an original work on paper and not a high-quality reproduction.