Preliminary identification
Photo reference
1 uploaded photo
Overview
A large, beautifully framed limited edition lithographic print titled 'Family' by renowned marine artist Robert Lyn Nelson. The piece features a pod of humpback whales and dolphins swimming in a vibrant, sun-dappled deep blue ocean. It is hand-signed by the artist in the lower right margin, titled in the center, and numbered 184/350 in the lower left.
Story
In 1979, Robert Lyn Nelson revolutionized marine art by painting the world's first 'Two Worlds' view, showing life above and below the ocean surface simultaneously. This print captures the serene, familial bonds of humpback whales, a subject that helped spark global conservation efforts.
Maker / Origin
Robert Lyn Nelson is widely regarded as the founding father of the Modern Marine Art movement. Based in Maui, Hawaii, his detailed and idealistic depictions of ocean life became a cultural phenomenon in the 1980s and 1990s. His work has been collected by celebrities, displayed in museums, and used by major environmental organizations to promote ocean conservation.
Condition & Value
The print appears to be in excellent condition with vibrant blues and no visible fading, staining, or waving. The frame and matting look clean and professionally executed, which helps preserve the print's value. Excellent preservation of the paper and ink commands the higher end of the value range.
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.