Preliminary identification
Photo reference
1 uploaded photo
Overview
A captivating mixed media work on paper featuring a stylized, totemic owl rendered in ink and wash. The piece utilizes intricate geometric patterns and a central spiral motif that suggests a blend of modernist abstraction and ancient mythological influences.
Story
Elizabeth Erickson is a titan of the feminist art movement in the Midwest. This owl isn't just a bird; it represents the 'Wise Woman' archetype she explored while co-founding the Women’s Art Resources of Minnesota (WARM) in the 1970s.
Maker / Origin
Elizabeth Erickson is a celebrated American painter and educator whose career spans over five decades. A pioneer in the feminist art movement, her work often explores the intersection of spirituality, gender, and the natural world, and she is a professor emerita at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design.
Condition & Value
The paper shows some visible toning and potential moisture staining along the right edge and top. These 'foxing' or water marks are common in older works on paper but do slightly suppress the value compared to a pristine example.
Full Research
Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.
Build on this identification
Layer in sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance.
Comparable demand stays strongest where maker, originality, and venue confidence line up. Broader examples still trade, but the range tightens quickly when provenance, condition, or selling lane fit is missing.
Best Venue
Specialty auction or a focused dealer with buyers already in this lane.
Signed example with light edge wear and original frame.
Comparable format with stronger provenance and cleaner surface.
Smaller related piece with visible craquelure and trimmed margins.
Period match with softer condition and weaker subject matter.
Close market lane comp with similar material and presentation.