“Cranes in Tranquil Marshland” (Attributed Title), Rick Lane (b. 1951), c. 1980s–1990s, acrylic on paper, 25 × 33 in., signed lower right “Lane.”

A serene and classically inspired acrylic painting on paper by American artist Rick Lane, this 25×33 composition features two elegant cranes rendered in a traditional Oriental style with soft earth-tone palettes, delicate linework, and refined decorative detailing. Acquired in NYC, the work showcases Lane’s rare mastery of East-West fusion techniques—ideal for collectors of Asian-influenced fine art, wildlife painting, contemporary realism, and decorative interior art with timeless appeal.

Description of the Artwork

This elegant painting depicts two cranes standing amid reeds and soft marsh grasses, executed in a quiet, harmonious style reminiscent of Chinese and Japanese Edo-period bird-and-flower painting (kachō-ga). The restrained palette—warm ochres, muted greens, charcoal blacks, and ivory tones—evokes a naturally aged patina, giving the artwork the appearance of a classical scroll painting or antique screen panel.

Technique & Medium

• Acrylic on paper with a matte, mineral-wash appearance

• Layered glazing to simulate ink-wash tonality

• Delicate, confident contour lines reflecting Oriental brush techniques

• Feathers, wings, and plumage rendered with subtle shading and stippled texture

• Minimalist background enhancing symbolic calm and balance

Style & Influences

This painting reflects:

• Classical Orientalist decorative traditions

• Crane symbolism (longevity, fidelity, peace) drawn from Chinese and Japanese culture

• Aesthetic restraint: harmony, symmetry, calmness, and understatement

• The artist’s mastery of making contemporary work appear centuries old, one of Lane’s hallmark skills

Signature

The work is signed “Lane” in the lower right in a soft, unobtrusive hand consistent with Lane’s Oriental-style works.

Artistic Intent / Story Behind the Work

Rick Lane is known for producing paintings that emulate historic traditions of both Europe and the Orient. This piece—focusing on regal cranes—embodies Lane’s fascination with old-world techniques, learned during extensive study in Spain and through classical training at SVA.
This work likely forms part of his Oriental series, which sought to merge:

• Eastern symbolic wildlife imagery

• Western academic draftsmanship

• Antique-surface simulation to give viewers the sense of discovering an heirloom scroll or lost panel painting

Biography of Rick Lane (b. 1951)

Early Life & Education

• Born: 1951, New York City

• Education: Bachelor of Fine Arts, School of Visual Arts (SVA), NYC

  • Studied classical drawing, painting, and Old-Master technique under European-trained faculty

  • Strong early emphasis on anatomy, glazing, realism, and cross-cultural art history

Training & Influences

Lane undertook years of intensive study in Spain, particularly in Andalusia, where he developed:

• Mastery of European classical oil techniques—underpainting, scumbling, glazing

• Exposure to Moorish, Spanish Baroque, and Oriental decorative arts

• A disciplined approach to rendering animals, hunting scenes, and landscapes

His influences include:

• Classical European masters (Velázquez, Goya, Constable)

• Japanese and Chinese ink-wash aesthetics

• 19th-century British sporting painters

• Early 20th-century Orientalist decorators and screen painters

Career & Exhibitions

Solo Exhibitions

• 1980 – Artexpo, New York

• 1981 – Summerset Gallery, Old Greenwich, CT

• 1981 – Sol Gallery, Marbella, Spain

Group Exhibitions

• Ollantay Center for the Arts, NYC

• Various Spanish coastal galleries in Torremolinos and Marbella

• New York regional exhibitions highlighting realist and decorative artists

Professional Profile

Rick Lane is widely regarded as a multi-stylistic painter, celebrated for his ability to create:

• English hunt scenes

• European landscapes

• Oriental antique-style paintings (as in this work)

• Hyper-realist contemporary canvases

This versatility—rare in contemporary painters—earned him strong gallery representation in both the U.S. and Spain during the late 20th century.

Lane divides his time between New York and Torremolinos, Spain, continuing to paint, teach, and develop techniques bridging East and West.

Market Position & Legacy

Lane’s works remain sought after for:

• Technical mastery

• Decorative versatility

• His unique ability to evoke historic painting traditions while remaining wholly contemporary

Rick Lane (b. 1951), “Cranes in Tranquil Marshland” (Attributed), acrylic on paper, 25×33 in., signed lower right. A classically inspired Oriental crane composition with earth-tone palette and antique-styled surface.

CERTIFICATE OF VALUE & AUTHENTICATION
Artist: Rick Lane (b. 1951)
Title: Cranes in Tranquil Marshland (Attributed)
Date: c. 1980s–1990s
Medium: Acrylic on paper
Dimensions: 25 × 33 in.
Signature: Lower right “Lane”
Condition: Excellent; stable pigment, minor natural surface texture consistent with acrylic wash techniques
Acquisition: New York City

Authenticity: Confirmed by stylistic analysis, signature comparison, and correspondence with Lane’s known Oriental-style works.
Certified by Artfind Gallery, Washington, DC.

Provenance Chain

1. Private Collection, New York City

2. Private Collector, United States

3. Artfind Gallery, Washington, DC (current owner)