The Piece

This framed floral composition features a softly rendered bouquet of wildflowers in pastel tones, signed in the plate R.F. Harnett. The image balances botanical detail with a decorative sensibility typical of mid-century American print design, favoring warmth and accessibility over strict realism.

The work is a color lithograph, printed with fine dot patterning visible under magnification, and presented in its original mid-century frame with ornate gilt molding and decorative matting. The overall effect is light, domestic, and quietly nostalgic—intended for everyday interiors rather than formal gallery settings.

Origin & Production

The lower margin of the print is marked:

• © Arthur A. Kaplan Co., Inc., N.Y.C.

• Litho in U.S.A.

Arthur A. Kaplan Co. was a New York–based publisher active in the mid-20th century, known for producing decorative lithographs for the American home market. These works were widely sold framed and unframed through department stores and gift shops during the 1940s–1960s.

The signature R.F. Harnett appears to be an artist or house illustrator associated with Kaplan’s publishing output rather than a fine-art painter with an independent exhibition record.

Date

Based on printing method, typography, publisher markings, and frame construction, this piece dates to the mid-20th century (circa 1940s–1950s).

Condition

Vintage condition consistent with age.

• Light surface wear and toning to the print

• Minor spotting and age marks visible under glass

• Decorative mat shows intentional antiqued finish and wear

• Frame shows light wear at edges and corners

• Backing board is intact but aged

The piece has not been disassembled or restored.

Curated Reductions

This work is offered through Curated Reductions, a category reserved for authentic period objects that retain visual appeal and historical context but do not meet Viridian Eclection’s main collection standards due to their decorative, commercial origin and condition. Pricing reflects transparency and current market positioning.

Why It Belongs in Your Home

This piece works beautifully in layered interiors—bedrooms, hallways, guest spaces, or cottage-inspired rooms—where softness, color, and vintage character matter more than rarity. It pairs especially well with traditional, romantic, or eclectic decor.

Details

• Medium: Color lithograph on paper

• Artist: R.F. Harnett (signed in plate)

• Publisher: Arthur A. Kaplan Co., Inc., New York

• Date: Circa 1940s–1950s

• Origin: United States

• Frame: Original period frame with decorative mat

• Condition: Vintage, as-found