PRINT INFORMATION: LIFETIME-RELEASED, SERIGRAPH, VERSION*
TITLE: “GRAY LADY” (LIMITED EDITION GRAPHIC)
CLASSIFICATION: SERIGRAPH
PRINT TYPE: Lifetime-released Limited Edition Graphic
COLORS: 9
RELEASED BY: Mirage Editions, Inc.
PRINTED BY: Jeff Wasserman of Wasserman Silkscreen
RELEASE DATE: March 17, 1982
EDITION SIZE:
-HAND SIGNED AND NUMBERED: 90
-ARTIST’S PROOFS (SIGNED): 15
-PRINTER’S PROOFS (SIGNED): 0
DIMENSIONS:
-Print size 34 ⅛ ” x 50 ⅛ ” including borders
-Image Area 27″ x 44″
*This data is according to the print documentation provided by Mirage Editions, signed by their Vice President Donald Guild (see image) and on page 148 of Nagel: The Art of Patrick Nagel.
Seen in the book “Nagel: The Art of Patrick Nagel“, page 148
Released on March 17th of 1982. Gray Lady was the 11th limited edition graphic released by Patrick Nagel’s primary publisher Mirage Editions.
The Gray Lady serigraph has nine colors and was printed by hand by Jeff Wasserman of Wasserman Silkscreen. There are 90 signed and numbered prints and 10 artists proofs. The paper sheet is 34 and ⅛ inches by 50 and ⅛ inches. The actual image area is 27″ high by 44″ inches wide. Nagel’s hand-written pencil signature is on the bottom right. The majority of the prints in the edition are embossed on the bottom with the Wasserman “w” logo and a Mirage Editions copyright embossment.
ABOUT THE IMAGE:
Today this is one of the most requested and desired images. Many collectors believe the model is to be one of Pat’s most oft-used models, Cathy St George. Gray Lady is also the first of Nagel’s horizontal images as a large limited edition. Gray Lady is simply a timeless image. People respond to the figure: her pose; her great eyes; and the composition in general. It is a fantastic image and I can stare at her for hours. It is in my opinion, it could be called a masterpiece. In fact, I will. The original on board is probably one of most beautiful paintings he did. Gray Lady is loved by many and also benefits from its lack of tell-tale stereotypical 80s elements: No floating geometric shapes, giant 80s-colored earrings, or big hairstyle. I think for some these are the reasons it is typically kept and rarely seen on the secondary market.
The Mirage’s price sheets from February 1984 through October 1991, list Gray Lady equal in value to the few other prints with the highest listed prices or it was, at least by 1991, the highest listed priced print on Mirage’s sheet. Only Michelle and Standing Lady were at or near its pricing point.
WHAT ABOUT THE CLASSIC VERSIONS RELEASE?
Yes. There is another Mirage-released version of this image that was posthumously-released as part of the Classic Visions Collection. It is a solid plate lithograph. It is much smaller than the graphic at 24″h x 34″w. There are several differences however from the lifetime-released limited edition silkscreen graphic. In fact, it appears to be more of a direct replica of the original painting than the lifetime-released limited edition graphic!! WOW. So I have to admit I love her too. I was fortunate to finally find my own Gray Lady Serigraph this year (took forever even for me); but, if I was to consider a purchase of only ONE Classic Visions then this would be it. Simply, to admire the original closer in the only way I could.
PRINT INFORMATION: GRAY LADY SOLID PLATE LITHOGRAPH
For all the Print Information on “Gray Lady: Classic Visions” lithograph and to learn how to tell them apart if you are buying online, please go to her info page in other posthumous prints!! Important details there before you buy.
(The above image of the original was provided to Nagel-Angel & the Tapatalk Patrick Nagel Forum. Renee, its wonderful original owner who was fortunate to meet Nagel and Nagel’s models at a show provided it as a courtesy for our community. Please find and join our Tapatalk, Patrick Nagel Group.)
ORIGINAL PAINTING INFORMATION
The original painting, unlike the limited edition graphic, has all gray hair and again closely matches the version released posthumously by Mirage in the “Classic Visions” series. (See more about that version on its page).
