R.C. Gorman Signed and Numbered Lithograph portraying a Navajo Woman with Pottery

This is a limited edition color lithograph by the renowned Navajo artist Rudolph Carl Gorman (1931-2005). The artwork features a characteristic stylized depiction of a Navajo woman seated beside a large, intricately decorated Acoma-style olla or pottery vessel. The composition utilizes a vibrant palette with a gradient sunset background transitioning from orange to pink, contrasting against a purple mesa silhouette. The woman is draped in a bright red top and a flowing yellow skirt, rendered with the soft, rounded forms typical of Gorman's signature aesthetic. The print is executed on high-quality heavy paper with visible deckled edges, floating within a custom frame. It is hand-signed by the artist in the lower left corner and dated '1989', with a limited edition numbering of '168/224' visible. The condition appears excellent with no visible foxing, fading, or moisture damage to the paper. The framing consists of a dark wood bead-molded frame with a gold inner fillet and black matting, indicating professional archival mounting. This piece represents the peak of Gorman's popularity in the late 20th century Modern Southwest art movement.

I have completed a visual examination of the R.C. Gorman color lithograph, dated 1989 and numbered 168/224. The work exhibits the hallmarks of Gorman's late-period aesthetic, characterized by fluid line work and a vibrant chromatic transition in the background. Based on high-resolution digital inspection, the condition appears excellent; the deckled edges are preserved and the pigments remain saturated, suggesting minimal UV exposure. The archival floating mount and professional framing add significant value, as they protect the integrity of the paper. Gorman remains a staple of the Modern Southwest movement, and pieces featuring classic motifs like the Navajo woman with pottery are highly liquid in the secondary market. Recent auction results for similar hand-signed editions range between $2,000 and $4,000, depending on the specific imagery and market timing. However, a definitive attribution of a signature and the verification of the printing process (lithography versus high-quality offset reproduction) cannot be fully confirmed through digital imagery alone. A physical inspection is required to verify the 'feel' of the ink on paper and the presence of any watermark signatures or printer embossed chops (such as Western Graphics Workshop). For insurance and final authentication, I recommend the owner provide a Certificate of Authenticity or original gallery invoice to establish a clear chain of provenance.