“STRING OF PEARLS,” Mary Vickers, 1976 lithograph, signed & numbered 1/200, 22x30, tender mother-and-child portrait.

“STRING OF PEARLS,” Mary Vickers, 1976 lithograph, signed & numbered 1/200, 22x30, tender mother-and-child portrait.

Mary Vickers’ STRING OF PEARLS (1976) is a signed and numbered limited-edition lithograph (1/200) that captures an intimate, deeply emotional moment between a mother and her sleeping infant. Rendered in Vickers’ signature sepia tonal drawing style, this work highlights the soft textures of fabric, gentle expressions, and the quiet poetry of maternal tenderness. Collectors value this early-edition print for its technical finesse, emotional depth, and pristine provenance from Mitch Morse Gallery.

Artwork Description

STRING OF PEARLS is a beautifully executed 1976 lithograph showcasing Mary Vickers’ mastery of gesture, atmosphere, and emotional storytelling. The composition centers on a mother reclining beside her infant, delicately holding a string of pearls while gazing at the child with serene affection. Vickers’ sepia linework and subtle tonal shading imbue the scene with warmth and stillness, emphasizing the vulnerability and sacredness of early motherhood.

The mother’s patterned dress, ruffled neckline, and carefully modeled features demonstrate Vickers’ hallmark attention to detail. Softly rendered bedding and background shading create a cocoon-like intimacy. Signed in graphite and marked 1/200, this early impression is among the first pulled from the edition, making it particularly desirable.

Mary Vickers 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 distributed through fine art galleries and national art shows across the U.S. and Europe.

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

Technique and Creative Process

Vickers worked in graphite, sepia pencil, and lithographic crayon, creating refined drawings that printers transferred to lithographic plates. Many editions included both standard lithographs and softly hand-colored versions. Edition sizes were typically 200–275, plus a small allotment of Artist’s Proofs (AP).

Themes and Artistic Vision

Collectors respond strongly to Vickers’ ability to capture:

• Childhood wonder and formative experiences

• Family relationships across generations

• Quiet reflection and emotional nuance

• The poetry of everyday life

Her imagery remains timeless, accessible, and emotionally rich.

Legacy and Collector Significance

Mary Vickers’ lithographs are admired for their technical excellence, emotional warmth, and nostalgic cultural relevance. The long-standing involvement of Mitch Morse Gallery ensures secure provenance for collectors and preserves the integrity of her editions.

Mary Vickers (British, mid-20th c.)
STRING OF PEARLS, 1976
Lithograph, signed & numbered 1/200
Dimensions: 22 x 30 in.
Published by Mitch Morse Gallery.
Condition: Excellent.
A tender mother-and-child portrait in Vickers’ classic sepia style.

CERTIFICATE OF VALUE & AUTHENTICATION
Artist: Mary Vickers (British, mid-20th century)
Title: STRING OF PEARLS
Year: 1976
Medium: Lithograph
Edition: 1/200
Signature: Hand-signed by the artist
Dimensions: 22 x 30 inches
Publisher: Mitch Morse Gallery (Exclusive publisher of all Mary Vickers lithographs)
Provenance: Acquired directly from Mitch Morse Gallery; Current Owner — Artfind Gallery, Washington, DC
Authenticity: This print is guaranteed to be an original, hand-signed limited-edition lithograph by Mary Vickers.

Provenance (Updated Standard Format)

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