Artmink

Contemporary Abstract Mixed-Media Collage on Paper (Musical Score Motif)

By: Unknown (illegible signature at lower left)

Style: Contemporary Abstract / Mixed-Media Collage

Origin: Unknown (likely United States or Western Europe)

Materials: Mixed media on paper (likely acrylic/ink/gesso) with collaged printed sheet-music fragments; matted and glazed in a black frame

Age: circa 1985–2005

Condition: Very Good (artwork presents well under glass; mat shows scattered foxing; frame has scuffs and edge wear; not examined out of frame)

Value: $80–$250 at auction (decorative value if unattributed; higher only if artist is identified and desirable)

Maker's Marks / Writing: Indistinct artist signature at lower left within the image; appears to read something like 'Kisson Copp...' (uncertain). No visible pencil signature, title, or edition number in margins due to matting.

Date: 2025-09-30 13:07:35.525654

Description:

Framed contemporary abstract collage on paper featuring layered textures, gesso-like impasto, and fragments of printed musical notation integrated throughout the composition. Palette of greys, whites, ochres, and rust with a small accent of red near center. The signature appears within the image at lower left (indistinct), suggesting this may be a reproduction print of an original mixed-media work rather than a hand-signed original. Presented under glass with a double mat and simple black frame.

Curator Questions

Curated by Jade

Assessment:

This is a decorative, late 20th-century abstract mixed-media collage (or a high-quality reproduction of one) that uses musical notation as a recurring motif. The signature embedded within the image and the lack of a visible pencil signature/edition in the margin point toward a commercially produced print/poster of an original collage rather than a unique, hand-worked piece, though this cannot be confirmed without examining it out of the frame for texture and pasted elements. A word about fakes.. Contemporary abstract works with collage elements are frequently reproduced as offset or giclée prints with printed signatures; treat the piece as decorative unless physical collage and hand-applied media are confirmed. If the signature can be deciphered and linked to a recognized artist, the value could improve.

Individual Images:

whole item

Provenance:

No provenance provided.

Condition:

Very Good (artwork presents well under glass; mat shows scattered foxing; frame has scuffs and edge wear; not examined out of frame)

Identification Score: 85%

High confidence that the object is a contemporary abstract collage (or reproduction thereof) using sheet-music fragments on paper, based on visible texture, layered surface, and musical notation elements. Artist attribution remains unclear, lowering the score from 100%.

Authenticity Score: 35%

Without inspection out of frame, the work may be a mass-produced print of an original collage: the signature sits inside the image (appears printed), and no hand-numbering or pencil signature is visible on the margins. Because reproductions in this genre are common, authenticity as a unique original is uncertain and scored conservatively.

Image Memory Note

Framed, landscape-format abstract collage/print under glass. Overall size appears roughly medium (perhaps image c. 16x20 inches). Composition: cloudy whites/greys in upper right with heavy textured, possibly gesso; darker, mottled browns/ochres in lower left and center; a small triangular red accent near the center. Throughout the piece are collaged or printed fragments of musical scores (staves and notes) in multiple small blocks—one larger fragment in bottom right corner, others dispersed in upper left and mid-left areas. Lower-left corner of the image contains an indistinct signature that may read 'Kisson Copp...' or similar, seemingly integrated into the printed image. Matting is off-white with a thin inner line; the mat shows scattered foxing spots. Frame is simple black with visible abrasions, chips, and scuffs along edges. No edition number, pencil signature, or title visible outside the image area. No visible labels or stamps on the front.

Keywords

Contemporary abstract, mixed-media collage, musical score, sheet music, acrylic on paper, textured, decorative art, United States, Western Europe, late 20th century

Report ID:  : 39nvh4

Comparables (Similar Items)

eBay: Active Listings

No archived comparables matched this report yet.