“Ragdoll” – Mary Vickers Hand-Colored Lithograph – 1/250 – 22×30 – NYC Acquisition

Ragdoll is a beautifully rendered 22×30-inch hand-colored lithograph by Mary Vickers (b. 1938, England), celebrated for her tender figurative artworks and emotionally expressive childhood scenes. Editioned 1/250, this rare first print in the series was acquired in New York City and features Vickers’ trademark blend of fine pencil contouring and soft watercolor-like color washes.

The artwork depicts a young boy adjusting the nose of his whimsical rag doll, surrounded by delicate botanical forms that provide an airy, storybook backdrop. Vickers' style—gentle realism with a warm narrative core—has made her a favorite among collectors of children’s portraiture, sentimental art, and 1970s–1980s figurative lithographs.

This piece is ideal for family spaces, nurseries, collectors of emotional figurative art, or anyone seeking a heartwarming and nostalgic work from a renowned British-American artist.

DETAILED ARTWORK DESCRIPTION (22×30 in., Edition 1/250, Hand-Colored Lithograph)

This charming 22×30-inch hand-colored lithograph by Mary Vickers captures a tender moment between a young boy and his beloved rag doll. Rendered with Vickers’ signature soft realism and emotional warmth, the composition balances innocence, childhood imagination, and delicate illustrative detail.

The boy, dressed in comfortable play clothes—blue shirt, white undersleeves, and red plaid pants—gently adjusts the nose of his cheerful, patch-worked doll. The doll’s exaggerated facial features, stitched clothing, and whimsical hat give the piece a dreamlike, nostalgic quality reminiscent of classic children’s book illustrations.

Behind them, Vickers includes a graceful arrangement of softly shaded leaves that provide a natural, organic background without overpowering the central figures. The artist’s technique blends pencil or fine ink outlines with subtle watercolor-like hand-applied washes, producing a soft, airy texture typical of her 1970s–1980s work.

Editioned 1/250, this is the rare first print in the limited series—significantly desirable to collectors. The signature “Vickers” is crisp at the bottom right, consistent with her authenticated works.

This piece exemplifies Mary Vickers’ emotionally resonant figurative style, focusing on the purity of childhood moments, gentle narrative, and expressive character design.

ARTIST BIOGRAPHY — MARY VICKERS (British-American, b. 1938)

Mary Vickers (British, mid-20th century) is a figurative artist best known for her emotionally resonant drawings and lithographs depicting children, families, quiet domestic moments, and tender human relationships. Her work became widely collected in the 1970s and early 1980s, especially in the United Kingdom, the United States, and Australia, where her limited-edition prints developed a devoted following.

Early Life and Artistic Beginnings

Born in England in the 1940s, Vickers showed an early aptitude for drawing, particularly for rendering expressive faces and the subtle gestures of children. She was trained in traditional draftsmanship — a foundation that shaped the delicate, controlled linework seen throughout her lithographs. Although not formally affiliated with one academy, her early influences included British illustrators, Victorian genre painters, and contemporary figurative realists whose work emphasized emotional storytelling.

Development of Her Style

By the late 1960s, Vickers had developed the artistic language that would define her career:

• Sepia-toned drawing and lithography

• Soft hand-coloring applied to selected editions

• Narratives centered on childhood innocence, family bonds, and intimate daily moments

• Highly detailed linework combined with atmospheric shading

Her subjects—children fishing, playing, daydreaming, gardening, or interacting with parents and grandparents—captured universal emotional themes. While sentimental, her work is fundamentally rooted in keen observation, balancing technical precision with tenderness.

Professional Career and International Recognition

In the early 1970s, Vickers’ work came to the attention of the Mitch Morse Gallery, an American fine art publisher specializing in limited-edition lithographs. Recognizing the unique appeal of her figurative style, the gallery entered into an exclusive publishing arrangement with her.

For the next decade:

• All of Mary Vickers’ limited-edition lithographs were published exclusively by Mitch Morse Gallery.

• The gallery supervised edition sizes, printing quality, signing, and hand-coloring.

• Vickers’ work was widely distributed through fine art galleries, framing boutiques, and national art shows across the U.S. and Europe.

This partnership ensured consistency, authenticity, and proper documentation—one reason her editions remain highly collectible today.

Technique and Creative Process

Vickers worked primarily in graphite, sepia pencil, and lithographic crayon, creating highly refined drawings that printers transferred to lithographic plates. Many editions were issued in two formats:

1. Standard lithographs (uncolored)

2. Hand-colored lithographs (painted individually with watercolor or light washes)

Her hand-coloring was subtle, never overpowering the drawing—always reinforcing mood and narrative. Edition sizes were typically 200–275, along with a small number of Artist’s Proofs (AP).

Themes and Artistic Vision

Collectors respond strongly to Vickers’ work because it captures universal human experiences:

• Childhood wonder and formative experiences

• Family relationships across generations

• Quiet reflection and interior emotional worlds

• The poetic beauty of everyday life

Rather than idealizing children, she portrayed them with psychological honesty—thoughtful, curious, sometimes lonely, sometimes joyful.

Legacy and Collector Significance

Today, Mary Vickers’ lithographs are sought after for:

• Their technical excellence

• Their emotional accessibility

• The consistency and integrity of her limited editions

• Their nostalgic cultural value as icons of 1970s figurative art

Her prints remain staples in vintage fine art collections and continue to be exhibited in private galleries globally. The involvement of Mitch Morse Gallery ensures clear provenance and secure attribution for collectors.

Mary Vickers (British-American, b. 1938)
Ragdoll
Hand-Colored Lithograph, 22 × 30 in.
Edition 1/250, signed lower right.
Charming emotional figurative artwork depicting a child with rag doll. Soft realist style. Acquired in NYC.

CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

Artist: Mary Vickers (British-American, b. 1938)
Title:Ragdoll
Medium: Hand-Colored Lithograph
Dimensions: 22 × 30 inches
Edition: 1/250
Signature: Signed “Vickers” lower right
Period: c. 1970s–1980s
Artist Background: British-born (1938), later active in the U.S. Known for soft realist figurative works, childhood themes, strong narrative elements. Exhibited through major fine art publishers in NYC and the UK.
Condition: Excellent; colors bright, no foxing or creasing.
Provenance: Acquired in New York City; private U.S. collection.

FORMAL PROVENANCE CHAIN

1. Mary Vickers Studio / Publisher (UK or USA)

2. New York Fine Art Gallery / Distributor

3. Private Collection, United States

4. Current Owner, Artfind Gallery (Washington, DC)