Barbara F. Hughes "Pause for a Pinwheel" Folk-Subject Woodblock Print, 15/48

A color woodblock print on cream wove paper by Barbara F. Hughes, titled "Pause for a Pinwheel" and pencil-signed in full in the lower margin. The composition gathers three stylized female figures in patterned folk dress, their rounded faces framed by kerchiefs and their skirts and aprons layered with dense textile-pattern detailing — zigzags, scrolls, dotted resist work, and stamped motifs in terracotta, brown, gray, and black against white. The lead figure holds a bright yellow pinwheel, the moment of pause the title names.

The palette and resist technique are characteristic of mid-20th century American folk-influenced printmaking, and the figural style — with its Indigenous and Hispanic folk-costume references — sits squarely in the American craft-print traditions of the 1950s through 1970s, work that carries direct regional resonance in the Mesilla Valley. The edition number 15/48 is hand-inscribed beside the signature, confirming a small studio edition rather than a commercial reproduction. The layered pattern work across all three figures shows real printmaking discipline, each garment built up from distinct stamped and cut elements.

CONDITION

Good. The print face presents cleanly with strong color and crisp pattern detail. Water damage and wear are confined to the verso backing, with staining and tide lines along the upper and side edges; the sheet itself remains framed and matted behind glass.

DIMENSIONS / SPECIFICATIONS

• Overall (framed): 16 1/8" H × 20 1/8" W × 1/2" D
• Visible image: 11 1/8" H × 15 1/8" W
• Medium: Color woodblock print on cream wove paper
• Edition: 15 of 48
• Signature: Pencil-signed "Barbara F. Hughes," lower right
• Framed and matted behind glass