Top names commanded top prices at Bonhams Prints auction on December 15 in a sale that made a total of £462,792 with 83 per cent sold by value.
Andy Warhol, Pablo Picasso, Marc Chagall, William Blake prints all performed well at prices that ranged from £14,000 – £42,000.
An iconic image of Marilyn Monroe by Andy Warhol (American, 1928-1987)(Feldman & Schellmann II.29) a screenprint made in 1967, printed in colours, on wove, signed in pencil and numbered 184/250, published by Factory Editions, New York, sold for £42,000.
Robert Kennan, Head of Prints at Bonhams, says: “This sale offered a wonderful opportunity to buy something really special for someone you love. Works by some of our greatest modern and contemporary artists were available at affordable prices. These will be gifts that keeps giving as their value appreciates over the years.”
A mysterious dark haired woman was just one of a kaleidoscope of female beauty contained in Pablo Picasso’s (Spanish, 1881-1973) album of 41 etchings, ‘Gongora’ – Vingt Poèmes (Cramer 51), 1948, numbered 108/250, with accompanying poems by the legendary 16th century Spanish poet Luis de Gongora y Argote, printed by Lacourière, Paris, in the original covers and slipcase. This lot, the second highest in the sale made £30,000.
Lot 123, a work by Marc Chagall (Russian/French, 1887-1985), titled, Les Saltimbanques (Mourlot 591), a colour lithograph, from 1969, on Arches paper, a signed artist’s proof, estimated to sell for £9,000-11,000, made £14,400.
Speaking about the recent performance of Prints at sale Robert comments: “Prints have withstood the worst of the recession very well. This latest sale had some great works on offer, particularly Warhol’s “Marilyn”, which is in superb condition and not surprisingly made £42,000 and was our top lot in the sale.”
www.bonhams.com/prints
