Preliminary identification
Photo reference
1 uploaded photo
Overview
This is a finely detailed wildlife portrait by the renowned naturalist artist Charles Fracé, featuring a black jaguar cub with striking, soulful eyes. The piece includes a printed signature and title, but most importantly, it bears a hand-written personal inscription and signature dated Christmas 1983.
Story
Charles Fracé spent decades in the wild, often living among the animals he painted to capture their true spirit. This specific print was a Christmas gift in 1983, carrying a personal touch that connects a fan directly to the artist.
Maker / Origin
Charles Fracé was a self-taught master of wildlife art whose work was so respected it was featured in a one-man exhibition at the Smithsonian. He was famous for his 'hair-by-hair' technique, which brought an almost photographic realism to the endangered species he sought to protect through his art.
Condition & Value
The print appears well-preserved under glass with no visible foxing or water damage. The frame shows minor age, and the price tag is on the glass rather than the paper, which is ideal. Good condition maintains the mid-to-high 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.