1944 Signed Marion Cunningham San Francisco Cable Car Serigraph Triptych, Mid-Century Modern Sf Wall Art, Vintage Wwii Era Silkscreen Set

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1944 Signed Marion Cunningham San Francisco Cable Car Serigraph Triptych, Mid-Century Modern SF Wall Art, Vintage WWII Era Silkscreen Set

… Read more 1944 Signed Marion Cunningham San Francisco Cable Car Serigraph Triptych, Mid-Century Modern SF Wall Art, Vintage WWII Era Silkscreen Set

Capture the vibrant, wartime energy of the Golden Gate City with this exceptional triptych of original, hand-pulled color serigraphs (silkscreens) by the celebrated California Modernist Marion Osborn Cunningham (1908–1948). Dated 1944, this curated set is a premier collector item, offering a rare visual narrative of San Francisco at the height of the Mid-Century era. Each of the three prints captures an iconic landmark with the signature saturated palette and playful, WPA-influenced perspective that defined Cunningham’s work. This authentic wartime set is a definitive choice for collectors of California Regionalist art and vintage San Francisco memorabilia.

The Triptych Narrative
The first panel features the Powell and Market Turntable, a charming look at the world-famous historic cable car turnaround. The central panel depicts the California Street Line, featuring a bold International Orange car with a rare historical detail: a wartime blimp soaring in the background. The final panel shows Union Square, a masterfully composed scene depicting the Dewey Monument, the St. Francis Hotel, and historical Buy War Bonds signage—a poignant nod to the year of its creation. These tiny details anchor the work in the year 1944, reflecting a city that served as the primary port of embarkation for the Pacific Theater.

About the Artist: Marion Osborn Cunningham
Marion Osborn Cunningham was a pillar of the San Francisco art community in the 1930s and 40s. A student of the Art Students League in NYC and a member of the San Francisco Women Artists, she became nationally known for her whimsical but technically exacting silkscreens. Because of her untimely death at the age of 40, her body of work is extremely limited and highly sought after. Today, her pieces are held in the permanent collections of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco (FAMSF) and the Saint Louis Art Museum.

Gallery Provenance: The Louis Antoville Label
The reverse of this triptych retains the original gallery label of Louis Antoville, New York. A respected specialist in fine etchings and artistic framing located on 72nd Street, Antoville was a fixture of the mid-20th-century NYC art scene. This label confirms that this set was professionally curated and framed by a top-tier gallery shortly after its creation, preserved for 80 years in its authentic period presentation.

Specifications and Dimensions
Artist: Marion Osborn Cunningham (American, 1908–1948).
Title: San Francisco Cable Car Triptych.
Year: 1944.
Medium: Original color serigraphs (silkscreens).
Overall Framed Size: 12.5 inches Wide by 6.5 inches High.
Individual Print Sight Size: 3 inches Wide by 4 inches High.

Condition Report
Excellent Vintage Condition. The serigraphs retain remarkable color intensity and saturation. The original dark wood frame and cream-colored mat show a light, authentic patina and minor character wear consistent with 80 years of history. The glass and backing are secure, and the original NYC gallery label is intact.

Designer Notes and Styling
For the interior designer, this triptych is a storyteller piece. While the individual prints are intimate, the horizontal triptych format creates a commanding presence, making it the perfect anchor for a Mid-Century Modern (MCM) gallery wall or as a sophisticated focal point in a home office or library. Unlike standard lithographs, these are hand-inked serigraphs where you can feel the rich, layered texture of the ink on the paper. The palette of hunter green, crimson, and ochre pairs beautifully with dark wood furniture like teak or walnut, and acts as a colorful counterpoint to a minimalist Japandi interior.

Styling and Compatibility
This authentic Marion Cunningham set beautifully complements Mid-Century Modern interiors, California coastal decor, and historical gallery walls. It is an ideal milestone gift for history buffs, San Francisco residents, or collectors of 20th-century fine art. Part of a curated collection of California Modernist works and wartime treasures from Cherished Memories.

Individual Cunningham prints are a rare find; a signed and dated triptych with verified NYC gallery provenance is a true investment. This piece offers a museum-quality narrative of a city and an era that continue to capture the American imagination. Secure this rare piece of California Modernist history today and let it become one of your own Cherished Memories. See less