Expressionist Figural Intaglio Print

This artwork is a figurative composition executed in an intaglio printmaking technique, likely a combination of etching, aquatint, and drypoint. The piece features two human figures depicted in a highly expressive, semi-abstracted style. The upper figure shows a head tilted back with closed eyes, conveying a sense of ecstasy, sleep, or despair. The palette is muted and somber, dominated by deep charcoal blacks and sepias, with subtle blue undertones visible in the mid-section. The construction utilizes heavy cross-hatching and stippled textures to build depth and form, characteristic of mid-20th-century European expressionism. A visible signature or monogram is located in the lower right corner, appearing as a stylized 'S' or 'JD' cursive mark, though it requires further forensic study for definitive attribution. The paper shows natural age-toning and slight yellowing, particularly along the margins under the protective glass. There is some minor foxing and surface humidity marks visible on the paper substrate. The print is housed behind glass in a simple frame, which shows light surface wear commensurate with age. The dramatic use of light and shadow (chiaroscuro) and the raw emotionality suggest an artist working in the post-war tradition, possibly of the German or Eastern European schools, circa 1950-1970.

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