ROBERT LENKIEWICZ "Anna With Paper Lanterns" Signed Limited Edition 31/500

Artist: Robert Lenkiewicz

Title: Anna with Paper Lanterns

Edition: 31/500 (Signed in pencil Limited Edition)

Medium: Lithograph

Publisher: Fisher–Lenkiewicz

Date of Publication: Autumn 2001

Image Size: 49cm × 67cm (approx.)

Framing: Unframed

Condition: New old stock; colours fantastic; a few signs of foxing present – see photos.

Certificate of Authenticity: Included

About the Artwork

Anna with Paper Lanterns is one of the most atmospheric and visually striking compositions from Robert Lenkiewicz’s late period. The artwork depicts Anna surrounded by softly glowing lanterns, their warm orange and pale yellow tones illuminating her contemplative expression and casting gentle highlights across her detailed embroidered floral robe.

The contrast between the dark background and the lantern light creates a beautifully intimate mood — a quiet moment suspended in time. Lenkiewicz’s mastery of light and shadow is fully evident here, with the lanterns acting almost as characters themselves, shaping the emotional tone of the scene.

This example comes from new old stock, retaining its original vibrancy and depth of colour. The print shows some signs of foxing, typical of age, but the image remains rich, crisp and visually powerful. At 49cm × 67cm, it has a commanding presence and is ideal for framing to suit contemporary or traditional interiors.

The original certificate of authenticity is included, confirming the edition size of 500 plus 25 large proofs, and noting that the plates used in production were destroyed — ensuring the edition’s integrity.

About the Artist

Robert Lenkiewicz (1941–2002) remains one of Britain’s most compelling and unconventional figurative painters. Working largely outside the traditional art establishment, he built a reputation for intense psychological portraiture, ambitious thematic projects and a lifelong fascination with human behaviour. His studio in Plymouth became a hub for thinkers, outsiders, bohemians and people living on the margins — many of whom became the subjects of his most powerful works.

Lenkiewicz approached painting as a form of enquiry. His major “Projects” explored themes such as relationships, obsession, death, vagrancy, addiction and identity. Rather than treating these subjects academically, he immersed himself in them, forming close bonds with the people he painted. This gave his portraits a rare emotional authenticity: his sitters are not idealised, but observed with empathy, curiosity and psychological depth.

His technical skill was formidable. Lenkiewicz’s command of light, tone and colour allowed him to create portraits that feel both intimate and monumental. Soft transitions, atmospheric backgrounds and carefully controlled lighting give his figures a sculptural presence, while his sensitivity to expression captures the quiet, unspoken moments that define a person’s inner life.

Study of Anna is a perfect example of this approach — a gentle, contemplative portrait that reveals Lenkiewicz’s ability to find beauty and emotional resonance in stillness. It reflects his belief that the human face, observed with patience and sincerity, can communicate entire worlds of feeling.

Today, Lenkiewicz’s work is held in major private collections across the UK and internationally. His paintings and limited editions continue to be sought after for their emotional honesty, technical mastery and the unique life story behind the artist himself.