Preliminary identification

Lucy Ware Woodblock Print, 'Forest', Edition 2/30

Photo reference

1 uploaded photo

Overview

A vibrant, limited-edition woodblock print titled 'Forest' by artist Lucy Ware, featuring a rhythmic, vertical abstraction of trees. The piece utilizes a sophisticated multi-color relief printing technique where the natural grain of the wood block creates a secondary texture within the deep blues and acidic greens.

Story

Lucy Ware captured the soul of the woods through a labor-intensive reduction process. This specific print is the second of only thirty ever made. It reflects a mid-century obsession with finding geometric patterns in the wild.

Maker / Origin

Lucy Ware was an artist active in the mid-20th century, often associated with regional printmaking circles in the American West. Her work is characterized by a bold use of color and a mastery of the woodcut medium, which saw a major revival during the 1950s and 60s as artists moved away from traditional realism.

Condition & Value

The print appears to be in excellent condition with no visible foxing or water damage. The colors remain exceptionally vibrant, suggesting it was kept out of direct sunlight. The original framing and matting appear clean, which preserves the value.

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Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.

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Market Analysis

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.

Value Drivers

  • Strong maker attribution with credible period details
  • Better-than-average condition for the category
  • Broader demand rises when presentation and finish feel intact

Concerns

  • Decorative-only demand limits the ceiling
  • Surface wear or missing provenance can compress the range fast
  • Regional sale lanes often underperform specialist venues

Best Venue

Specialty auction or a focused dealer with buyers already in this lane.

Comparable Sales

5 comps
Regional auction· Jun 2024
$1,280

Signed example with light edge wear and original frame.

Dealer archive· Mar 2024
$1,450

Comparable format with stronger provenance and cleaner surface.

Marketplace sale· Jan 2024
$980

Smaller related piece with visible craquelure and trimmed margins.

Estate platform· Oct 2023
$1,150

Period match with softer condition and weaker subject matter.

Auction result· Aug 2023
$1,375

Close market lane comp with similar material and presentation.