La Campesina (The Peasant Woman)

This is a significant color lithograph on paper by the renowned Mexican artist Rufino Tamayo, titled 'La Campesina' and created in 1969. The work measures 76 x 57 cm and depicts a female figurative subject standing centrally, holding a staff. The figure is rendered in Tamayo's signature style, which blends international Modernism with Pre-Columbian Mexican aesthetics. The color palette is earthy and atmospheric, dominated by ochres, terracotta oranges, and muted grays, creating a rich, textured background that suggests both geological deep-time and rustic village life. The woman wears a white sleeveless dress and a wide-brimmed conical hat, her face simplified into geometric lines and circular eyes characteristic of Tamayo's interest in indigenous masks. Notable features include the visible plate edges and the sophisticated layering of inks to create a 'mottled' effect. The bottom left corner bears the edition number 'VII/XXV' in pencil, indicating this is a limited edition proof, while the bottom right contains the artist's signature. The condition appears stable with minor tonal shifts in the paper consistent with a 50-year-old print; however, some foxing or surface texture variation is visible in the upper registers of the background. The craftsmanship is of high quality, demonstrating the complex lithographic techniques for which the artist became world-famous during his mid-career period.

I have virtually examined this 1969 color lithograph, 'La Campesina,' by Rufino Tamayo. The piece represents a mature example of the artist's ability to synthesize Mexican Pre-Columbian iconography with modernist abstraction. The signature and Roman numeral edition (VII/XXV) are consistent with Tamayo’s known production. The mottled textures and sophisticated color layering are hallmarks of the mastery he achieved during this period, particularly through the use of high-quality lithographic inks. From a market perspective, Tamayo remains a blue-chip artist. Works from the late 1960s are highly desirable as they showcase his 'monumental' figurative style. The rarity of this specific Roman numeral edition (limited to 25) adds a premium compared to larger, standard numbered editions. Recent auction results for similar color lithographs of this size and period typically fall within the $4,000 to $7,000 range, depending on paper brightness and saturation. Condition-wise, I observe minor foxing and subtle 'toning' in the upper registers. These age-related imperfections are common in 50-year-old works on paper but may slightly dampen the value compared to a pristine museum-quality sheet. Limitations: This appraisal is based on a high-resolution visual examination. While the signature and technique appear consistent with Tamayo’s hand, definitive authentication requires a physical inspection to verify paper watermarks (such as Rives or Arches), ink depth, and the absence of photomechanical reproduction dots. I have not examined the reverse of the sheet for mounting damage or previous repairs. Full valuation is contingent upon providing a provenance record or inclusion in the artist’s catalogue raisonné.