“Sharing,” Mary Vickers, 1970s sepia lithograph, 25x20 in., signed and marked Artist’s Proof.

“Sharing,” Mary Vickers, 1970s sepia lithograph, 25x20 in., signed and marked Artist’s Proof.

A tender and beautifully rendered 1970s Artist’s Proof lithograph by Mary Vickers, Sharing depicts two young girls quietly enjoying a drink together, capturing the gentle warmth, trust, and closeness of childhood friendship. Executed in Vickers’ signature expressive sepia linework, this rare AP impression highlights her gift for telling emotional stories through delicate figurative drawing and Romantic sensitivity.

Artwork Description

Sharing is a quintessential example of Mary Vickers’ ability to capture intimate, emotionally resonant moments from childhood. Two young girls lean toward one another, quietly sipping through straws from a single cup—an image of innocence, companionship, and the pure simplicity of early friendship.

Vickers’ fine sepia lithographic linework gives the scene a soft, nostalgic texture. The intricate curls of the girls’ hair, the gentle contours of their profiles, and the subtle movement of their garments are rendered with extraordinary sensitivity. The dense leafy background frames the figures in a natural, dreamlike space—almost like a secret garden—emphasizing the private, shared warmth of the moment.

The artist’s ability to convey emotional truth through posture and expression is central here: the quiet focus of their faces, the relaxation of their hands, and the closeness of their shoulders create a narrative without words. This Artist’s Proof—signed lower right and inscribed “Artist’s Proof” lower left—is a rare pre-edition impression traditionally reserved for the artist’s own review, making it especially desirable to collectors of early Vickers lithographs.

Measuring 25 x 20 inches, Sharing represents Vickers’ most celebrated 1970s period, when her figurative lithographs were widely praised for their tenderness, technical refinement, and emotional depth.

Artist Biography

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. early 1940s)
Sharing, 1970s. Lithograph on paper, 25 x 20 in. Signed and marked “Artist’s Proof.” A tender portrait of two young girls sharing a drink. Rare AP example from Vickers’ desirable early figurative period.

CERTIFICATE OF VALUE & AUTHENTICATION
Artist: Mary Vickers
Title: Sharing
Date: 1970s
Medium: Lithograph
Dimensions: 25 x 20 inches
Edition: Artist’s Proof (AP)
Signature: Signed lower right; inscribed AP lower left
Provenance: Acquired in New York City; Artfind Gallery, Washington DC
Condition: Excellent
Authenticity: Verified original lithograph designated Artist’s Proof by the artist
Estimated Market Value: See price ranges below
Issued By: Artfind Gallery, Washington DC

Provenance

Published by Mitch Morse Gallery (exclusive publisher of Mary Vickers).
Acquired directly from Mitch Morse Gallery.
Current Owner: Artfind Gallery, Washington, DC.