"Violas (Pansies in a Vase)" by John Hall Thorpe, Austrailian-Eng., (1874-1947)

Color Woodcut, circa 1920's - 30's , edition unknown, 5-1/16 x 5-1/2, signed in pencil, and also titled in pencil in lower left margin on a stiff cream card stock; image and border fine and bright, but with a strong mat line and darkly toned margins from previous acidic mount. Like his American counterpart Margaret Patterson, Thorpe often favored a dramatic black background to focus the viewer's attention on the vibrant color and delicate silhouette of blooms and foliage, in Hall's case with a distinctly Art Deco style and precision. The colors here remain lovely and fresh; and this is a charming example of his work.