I have two portraits that were hand-drawn on the same piece of paper by a famous mid-20th century artist. Apparently they were done as informal sketches since they're in opposing orientations... they're on the same side of the paper, but when one is right side up, the other is upside down. Each sketch is signed underneath the image. Also, the sheet was folded at one time down the middle, although the fold was angled a bit and doesn't go straight up and down. My question is... if you were going to try to sell this, would you cut the paper in two so you were selling two signed sketches? I know the value of a print or painting goes down when the sides are trimmed, but this really does seem like two works of art on the same piece of paper. Even the artist seemed to think so since he didn't worry about the orientation and signed each drawing individually. This isn't a modern-style work, either, where the mixed orientations might have been done for effect. So what say ye? (Apologies for not showing the drawings or sharing the artist's name. Until I decide what to do with this drawing, I'd prefer that it doesn't show up when people search for his name on the web.)
fold the paper in half mat it in different color acid free matting frame it between 2 pieces of glass... and mount it on a stand that has 2 center posts that move so that the glass can be rotated ... sell it...
Okay, I hear you, 2manybooks and Debora, and won't separate the images. It actually goes against the grain for me, anyway, since I grew up in a family with several artists. Thanks for reinforcing my values rather than my pecuniary side! Komo, I love that frame, but the images aren't back-to-back, but on the same side of the paper, with one facing up and the other facing down. Nice idea in general, though!
so what would happen if u fold the paper in half....wouldn't they both be facing up, on each side ? or both facing sideways...rotating the paper??
It's like this, so if it's folded in half the image on one side would still be facing down. If you were thinking the illustrations had been done one on top of each other then, yup, after folding they'd both be facing in the same direction.
This is true, but I should probably at least get an art expert's opinion before touching it. For all I know, it would be more interesting to potential buyers the way it is, anyway. The portraits are of two different people, but there's an underlying theme that connects them. I have a number of items that deserve being evaluated by professional appraisers or auction houses and I've been very timid about approaching any. It's time I start doing it.
True, Komo. It would be nice if it had been folded straight up and down rather than at a bit of an angle, also if the two images were centered on their respective halves of the page (they're not). My next step on this piece, and a number of other items, really has to be to get professional advice on the best way to sell them. For some dumb reason I keep feeling intimidated by it. I know I have to get over that instead of acting like a shy 12 year old afraid to talk to a boy she likes.
