**UPDATE** HOPE by George Frederick Watts

The piece is housed in a gesso on wood frame, which is dated MCH (March) 30, 97 presumably 1897. I find no artists signature. There are however, three hand written initials penciled on to the frames reverse which may be J or I, G0r Z and a T. The image is certainly early as there is no dot matrixing under magnification. Any thoughts or knowledge pertaining to the piece would be greatly appreciated. Art is 13x18 and frame 16.5x23.5.**MYSTERY SOLVED** Thank you Dizzy Dave for your insight. Upon research, the following information has been found.
"Hope" painted by George Frederick Watts in 1885 and presented to the nation, (England) in 1897, depicts the heavens illuminated by a solitary star and Hope set upon a darkened world of strife, as she bends her ear in efforts to catch precious notes of music from the last remaining string of her almost shattered lyre. In essence, the painting seeks to convey to the viewer, optimism, as hope in despair. President Obama was so taken with the image while a student at Harvard Law School, that it later became the inspiration for his autobiographical book, The Audacity of Hope. In having a closer look at the piece, the single star has been located in the upper left area of the image, however, I am unable to see a completed lyre. The closer I look at the picture using my loop, I am more apt to think that this may be pastels and not a print. It has been executed on board. I don't hope to think that it may be a rough draft of some sort but I have found that this image has been reproduced on many levels and being that it is appropriately housed in a frame of the same year that it was introduced to the public, may denote it being a period, unfinished reproduction, after Watts, by an unknown artist. Which in my opinion, is just as wonderful. I love the mystery and those Salvation Army stores.