Charley Harper, Water-Turkey (Anhinga) Serigraph

This item is a large-format vertical serigraph (silkscreen) print by the renowned American modernist artist Charley Harper, titled 'Water-Turkey' or 'Anhinga'. The piece features Harper's signature 'minimal realism' style, utilizing geometric shapes and flat color planes to depict an anhinga emerging from the water with a fish in its beak. The composition is centered on a teal or seafoam green background, with concentric white circles representing water ripples. The bird's body and the fish are rendered in shades of black, charcoal gray, and muted orange/yellow. Physically, the print is housed in a dark wood frame with a slim gold-toned metallic inner lip. The construction shows high-quality screen printing with sharp edges and opaque ink application. While no signature is immediately visible in the lower corners of this framed shot, these prints were typically part of limited editions produced in the 1970s. The condition appears excellent with no visible foxing, water damage, or fading of the vibrant teal ink. The glass provides a slight glare, but the paper seems flat against the mounting. The mid-century modern aesthetic and clean lines are characteristic of Harper's work for the Ford Times or his later iconic wildlife series.

I have virtually examined the serigraph 'Water-Turkey' (Anhinga) by Charley Harper. This large-format piece displays the hallmarks of Harper’s 'minimal realism'—specifically his masterful use of geometric simplification and high-contrast registration. The teal ground remains exceptionally vibrant, suggesting the piece has been protected from UV exposure. The ink density is consistent with mid-1970s serigraphy, and the lack of visible foxing or mechanical damage indicates it has been kept in a climate-controlled environment. Charley Harper’s market remains robust, particularly for his large-format wildlife subjects. This specific print is highly sought after by mid-century modern collectors due to its architectural composition. Comparable sales for signed, limited-edition Harper serigraphs of this scale typically range from $1,200 to $2,000 depending on the edition number and frame quality. The dark wood frame with the gold lip adds decorative value, though its archival status must be verified. Several limitations exist in this digital assessment. While the style and print quality appears authentic, I cannot verify the presence of a pencil signature or edition number (e.g., 125/500) usually located at the bottom margin, as the current matting may obscure them. A physical inspection is required to confirm the paper's watermark and to ensure the print is not 'laid down' (glued) to a backing board, which would significantly decrease value. To fully authenticate this work, I would require an inspection outside of the frame to check for acidic burn from non-archival materials and to view the full margins. Provenance documentation, such as a gallery receipt from Frame House Gallery, would further solidify its valuation.