“YOUNG GARDENER,” Mary Vickers, 1972 sepia/golden lithograph, Artist’s Proof (AP), signed, 18×18 in., published by Mitch Morse Gallery.

“YOUNG GARDENER,” Mary Vickers, 1972 sepia/golden lithograph, Artist’s Proof (AP), signed, 18×18 in., published by Mitch Morse Gallery.

Mary Vickers’ YOUNG GARDENER (1972) is an early and highly desirable lithograph showcasing her signature tenderness and mastery of childhood portraiture. Rendered in a warm golden-brown palette, the artwork depicts a small child absorbed in watering flowers—an intimate and timeless moment of innocence. This scarce impression is an Artist’s Proof (AP), hand-signed by Vickers and originally published exclusively by Mitch Morse Gallery, making it especially collectible among her early 1970s works.

Artwork Description

YOUNG GARDENER reflects the essence of Mary Vickers’ artistic voice: childhood wonder, natural beauty, and finely controlled draftsmanship. Created in 1972, during the period in which Vickers established her signature sepia/golden palette, this lithograph is notable for:

• Expressive golden-toned linework that blends softness with depth.

• A tender narrative moment—a young child carefully watering flowers, symbolizing growth, curiosity, and innocence.

• Fine detailing in the hair, grass, flower petals, and soft modeling of the child’s form.

• Balanced composition that draws the viewer’s eye gently toward the center action without overwhelming the serene simplicity.

This impression is marked AP (Artist’s Proof)—a small subset of prints reserved for the artist’s personal approval. It is hand-signed lower right and annotated “Artist’s Proof” lower left. The sheet measures approximately 18×18 inches.

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 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 (b. 1940s), “YOUNG GARDENER,” 1972. Lithograph in golden sepia tone, signed lower right, annotated Artist’s Proof (AP). Sheet approx. 18×18 in. Published by Mitch Morse Gallery.

CERTIFICATE OF VALUE & AUTHENTICATION
Artist: Mary Vickers
Title: YOUNG GARDENER
Year: 1972
Medium: Lithograph (golden/sepia tone)
Edition: Artist’s Proof (AP)
Dimensions: 18×18 inches
Signature: Hand-signed by Mary Vickers
Publisher: Mitch Morse Gallery (exclusive publisher)
Authenticity: Guaranteed original AP lithograph.
Current Owner: Artfind Gallery, Washington, DC

Provenance

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