estateRUTH.

Identification

Mixed Media Coastal Marsh Landscape with Egret, Dated 1968

Photo reference

1 uploaded photo

Overview

The item is an original mixed media landscape on paper, consistent with the seller's description of gouache and pastel. A signature and date (appearing to be '68) are visible in the lower right, placing it in the mid-20th century.

Story

The piece is dated 1968, placing it firmly in the mid-century period of American Regionalism. A gallery or price sticker is visible in the lower left, suggesting previous retail or gallery exhibition history, though the specific gallery remains unidentified. The artist is currently unknown pending a clear photograph of the signature in the lower right. Mid-century American regionalist landscapes, particularly coastal and marsh scenes, maintain steady regional appeal, especially in the Southeast and New England markets.

Maker / Origin

Unattributed

Condition & Value

Based on the single overall photograph, the artwork appears to be in stable condition, housed in a period-appropriate frame. Works on paper from this era are susceptible to fading, foxing, and acid burn from non-archival matting.

Full Research

See what it's actually worth.

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

Market Analysis

Mid-century American regionalist landscapes, particularly coastal and marsh scenes, maintain steady regional appeal, especially in the Southeast and New England markets. Works on paper (watercolor, gouache, pastel) generally trade at a discount to oils on canvas unless executed by top-tier listed artists. Unattributed decorative works move primarily through local estates and online marketplaces at accessible price points, while verified listed artists achieve strong results at specialized regional auctions.

Value Drivers

▲ Original mixed media painting rather than a mass-produced print

▲ Popular and highly decorative coastal/marsh subject matter with an egret

▲ Visible gallery sticker suggests professional exhibition or retail history

▲ Dated 1968, providing clear mid-century era context

Concerns

▼ Unverified artist signature — an unattributed work drops the estimate to the decorative floor (~$200)

▼ Unknown dimensions — if the piece is smaller than standard gallery sizes, value scales down proportionally

▼ Unverified condition of the paper — hidden acid burn or foxing under the mat could require restoration

Best Venue

Before proceeding to sale, obtain clear, well-lit close-ups of the signature and the gallery sticker to confirm the artist's identity. If the artist is identified as a listed regionalist, consign to a regional fine art auction house; if unattributed, list on an online marketplace with strong decorative keywords (Coastal, Mid-Century, Egret, Marsh).

Upside Potential

If the signature is definitively matched to a well-listed American Regionalist painter such as Stanley Wingate Woodward, and the dimensions are substantial (e.g., 18x24 inches or larger), the piece could realize the high end of the range ($850) or exceed it at a specialized coastal art auction.

▾

Also found — market-range context

Related comps outside the valuation band· 6 comps

Surfaced during research but not used to anchor the valuation — wrong form, species, era, or no published price. Shown so the market range around this item is visible.

  • Doyle Auctions
    Gladys B. Morgan (1899-1981), Heron in the Marsh, 1936, Oil on canvas
    Link could not be verified.
    $1,500
  • PBS KVIE Art Auction· 2020-10-04
    Egret Carol Hawkins Mixed Media, 36x24
    Link could not be verified.
    $525
  • Sarasota Estate Auction· 2026-04-19
    STANLEY WINGATE WOODWARD (1890-1970) American, Watercolor
    Title lacks specific subject matter (no mention of egret or marsh).
    $450
  • Matzke Fine Art Gallery
    Claudia Ross Kuhn “Heron and Moon” pastel – graphite 23” x 33”
    Link could not be verified.
    $415
  • MutualArt· 2017-07-22
    Don Balke (B. 1933) "Snowy Egret" Original Watercolor
    Link could not be verified.
    $282
  • Big Red Auctions· 2025-09-25
    Signed J Ebersole Local Artist Heron Watercolor
    Link could not be verified.
    $38