Preliminary identification
Photo reference
1 uploaded photo
Overview
A striking, limited-edition drypoint etching titled 'Elaine' by the American artist Timothy Hennessy, numbered 23/35. The print features a stylized, elongated portrait of a woman with an elaborate, nest-like updo and delicate, expressive linework. It showcases a masterful use of drypoint burr to create rich, velvety blacks contrasted against clean, minimalist plate wiped areas.
Story
In post-war Paris and Venice, Timothy Hennessy ran in elite avant-garde circles alongside Peggy Guggenheim. This print captures the era's obsession with bohemian muses, rendering 'Elaine' with a mix of classical elegance and modern anxiety.
Maker / Origin
Timothy Hennessy (1925–2012) was an American-born artist who spent most of his life in Europe, becoming a key figure in the mid-century international art scene. Closely associated with the Surrealists and the Peggy Guggenheim collection, he was famous for his large-scale geometric paintings on un-stretched canvas, but his early graphic work shows an incredible sensitivity to line and portraiture.
Condition & Value
The print appears to be in excellent condition with sharp, crisp lines and strong contrast. There is no obvious foxing, staining, or mat burn visible in the image area, though the full sheet margins should be inspected out of the frame.
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.