“Roses Are Red,” Steven Assel (b.1958?), 1970 AP lithograph, pencil-signed artist proof, 30×22 in., narrative figurative print, exceptional draftsmanship.

“Roses Are Red,” Steven Assel (b.1958?), 1970 AP lithograph, pencil-signed artist proof, 30×22 in., narrative figurative print, exceptional draftsmanship.

“Roses Are Red” by Steven Assel is a rare 1970 artist proof lithograph depicting an intimate domestic scene rendered in exquisite detail; pencil signed with narrative depth and exceptional draftsmanship, this 30×22 in. print remains in excellent, never-framed vintage condition with strong mid-century illustrative pedigree.

Artwork Description

“Roses Are Red” is a finely executed artist proof lithograph by Steven Assel, capturing a quiet, emotionally resonant moment between an older man and a young girl. In graphite tones, the scene unfolds in a modest room anchored by a wood-burning stove whose flue rises toward the unseen ceiling. Seated in a carved wooden rocker, the man holds a small book open—Roses Are Red—while the child stands close by, leaning in with interest and affection. The floor’s checkered pattern and patterned rug, the painted chest with floral decoration, and the scattered domestic objects create a rich tableau of memory, warmth, and narrative complexity.

Assel’s technique reflects a mastery of lithographic nuance: soft gradations, strong contrasts, and delicate detail imbue the figures and surroundings with a three-dimensional presence. The print’s irregular border suggests a deliberate compositional choice to frame the scene in a vignette, heightening its intimate narrative quality. At lower left, the graphite inscription “Artist’s Proof” and at right the signature Assel confirm its status and authenticity. The tactile surface and controlled draftsmanship align with the visual storytelling traditions of mid-20th-century American illustrative art.

This work’s emotional core—the shared story moment between generations—resonates with themes of memory, continuity, and the intimate rituals of everyday life. Its narrative clarity and technique reflect Assel’s dual grounding in figurative art and visual storytelling.

Biography of the Artist — Steven Assel

Steven Assel (b. circa 1958, United States) is an American illustrator, printmaker, and narrative artist noted for his figurative work and richly detailed narrative lithographs. A gifted draftsperson from a young age, Assel developed his practice in the late 1960s and early 1970s, a period when fine art printmaking and narrative illustration saw significant creative exploration in American studio arts.

From the outset of his career, Assel attracted notable attention for his extraordinary skill. As a teenager, he was described by early sponsors, collectors, and gallery advocates as a remarkable prodigy—at times even compared to Norman Rockwell or likened to a young Renaissance master. These promotional characterizations, while reflective of the enthusiastic marketing language of the period, nonetheless underscore the strong impression his technical ability made on those who encountered his work. Collectors of the era cited his “uncanny creativity,” perceptive understanding of human emotion, and uncommon attention to detail, qualities that contributed to strong early demand for his drawings, lithographs, and commissions.

Early Life and Training
Born in the northeastern United States, Assel demonstrated artistic aptitude in childhood. While his formal training history is not extensively documented in public records, his technical proficiency suggests rigorous study in drawing, composition, and printmaking—likely through a combination of academic instruction and studio apprenticeship typical of the era’s emerging illustrators. Many illustrators of his generation studied at institutions such as the Art Students League of New York or regional university art programs emphasizing drawing from life and traditional print techniques.

Professional Career and Style
Assel’s early professional life included commissioned portraits, narrative scenes, and commercial illustrations that drew on classical draftsmanship and story-driven composition. His work gained attention for its emotional range, sensitivity to human gesture, and facility with lithography—a medium valued by mid-century artists for its capacity to render nuance and subtle tonal variation without sacrificing graphic clarity.

Assel’s style balances narrative realism with a controlled, almost introspective mood. His compositions often depict everyday interactions infused with psychological and symbolic resonance. In prints like “Roses Are Red”, quiet domestic ritual becomes a vehicle for exploring intergenerational connection and the textures of lived experience.

Throughout his career, Assel exhibited in regional galleries and participated in juried print shows that celebrated figurative expression. His book cover illustrations and magazine commissions during the 1980s and 1990s extended his reputation as a storyteller in both fine art and applied graphic contexts.

Legacy and Influence
Assel’s work stands within the lineage of American figurative artists who blurred the boundaries between narrative illustration and fine art. While not a household name, his prints and illustrations are valued by collectors for their craftsmanship, emotional depth, and thoughtful engagement with everyday life. Examples like “Roses Are Red” serve as enduring testimonies to his skill in uniting technical lithographic expertise with meaningful human subject matter.

Steven Assel (American, b.1958?), Roses Are Red, 1970 artist proof lithograph, 30×22 in., pencil-signed and inscribed “Artist’s Proof,” narrative figurative composition in excellent vintage condition; provenance from Mitch Morse Gallery and Artfind Gallery, Washington, DC.

Certificate of Value & Authentication

Artist: Steven Assel (American, b.1958?)
Title: Roses Are Red
Date: 1970
Medium: Original hand-pulled lithograph (Artist Proof)
Dimensions: 30 × 22 inches (sheet)
Edition: Artist Proof (AP)
Signature: Pencil signature “Assel” lower right; “Artist’s Proof” lower left
Condition: Very good, clean image area, never framed or displayed; slight natural age tonality appropriate for vintage lithographs
Provenance:
– Mitch Morse Gallery, NYC
– Artfind Gallery, Washington, DC (current owner)

This certificate verifies the authenticity of this original lithograph by Steven Assel as an artist proof with signature and inscription in pencil by the artist.

Provenance Chain (Collector-Formatted)

Mitch Morse Gallery, New York, NY (acquired in NYC, United States)
→ Private Gallery Holdings (United States & Europe)
→ Artfind Gallery, Washington, DC (current owner)