russell chatham's gallery

Chatham's lithographs are as beautiful as any I've seen, but they don't stay that way. I have purchased over a dozen of Chatham lithographs, framed them using the highest conservation standards including UV blocking museum glass, and watched them deteriorate in the matter of years. The problem is that the colors (dyes) are unstable, even when exposed to indirect ambient light at home. This results in the loss of certain colors, and the intensification of other colors that emerge. With three of my Chatham lithographs (currently selling for ~$20,000 from Chatham) all the subtle tones were lost and the dominant color of a bright sky blue emerged. The result is devastating. The original beauty is lost and they have little or no re-sale value. Rather than increasing hugely in value, as indicated by Chatham's own pricing, the discoloration renders them worthless. Look and enjoy, but don't buy.

This is a "must see" stop for folks in the area if for no other reason that this Russ Chatham is without a doubt a living American Treasure. As a painter, lithographer and writer, his body of work boggles the mind. A bit late with this review; but my trip was actually September, 2000 and am planning a return visit this Summer.