Masquerade #2, Large Modern Artist Proof Lithograph Portrait by Leal

In this lithograph, Leal explores the theme of duality through two overlapping female profiles, elegantly contained within a circular frame. The first face, pale and withdrawn, gazes inward, while the second, vibrantly adorned with red lips and a crown-like headdress of gold and pink, projects outward with strength and allure. The composition is framed by feather-like motifs and geometric patterns, blending organic and ornamental elements.
The stark contrast between the two profiles—one shadowed and spectral, the other alive with color and authority—creates a tension between presence and absence, concealment and revelation. Rendered with the crisp precision of graphic line and flat color, the lithograph resonates with both decorative elegance and psychological depth.
About the Artist
Leal’s body of work reflects the aesthetic richness of the late 20th century, drawing inspiration from Art Deco revival, Pop sensibilities, and the bold visual culture of fashion illustration. His/her lithographs often dramatize the human face as mask and persona, emphasizing themes of identity, theatricality, and self-invention. By stylizing portraiture into symbolic forms, Leal transforms representation into allegory.
Context and Legacy
This piece, like others in Leal’s oeuvre, highlights the interplay of surface and meaning. The dual profiles suggest both conflict and complementarity—an archetypal pairing of inner and outer self. With its refined balance of color, line, and symbolism, the work bridges the decorative arts and fine art printmaking, embodying the era’s fascination with glamour, ambiguity, and psychological narrative.
Collector’s Note
This lithograph exemplifies Leal’s signature use of circular framing and dramatic dual imagery. Striking and enigmatic, it is well-suited for collectors of late modern portraiture, graphic printmaking, and works that engage with the timeless theme of identity through the lens of theatrical elegance.

REFERENCE NUMBER: LU654316945172
PERIOD: Late 20th Century
CONDITION: Good
MEASUREMENTS: Height: 42.5" Width: 36" Depth: 1"
COUNT: 1
MATERIAL: Lithograph
CREATOR: Steve Leal