This is an original serigraph by Richard Merkin, an American artist from Brooklyn. He had art degrees from Syracuse University, Michigan State, and Rhode Island School of Design, where he taught for 42 years. He was fascinated with the 1920's and 1930's, and many of his works depict the years between the World Wars. He painted narrative scenes of jazz musicians, film stars, writers, and sports heroes, and the serigraph here features Joan Crawford, the famous movie star, and the hair colors she had at the time. The piece is signed in green on the left and dated '69. and it is numbered 5/40 on the left and on the back. It is also titled "Obelisk" on tape on the backside. The overall size is 24 1/4 x 18 1/4 in. wide. Provenance: the Hirsch estate.