{"id":342669,"date":"2024-09-16T14:00:40","date_gmt":"2024-09-16T18:00:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/blog-api\/?p=342669"},"modified":"2024-09-16T14:00:40","modified_gmt":"2024-09-16T18:00:40","slug":"collecting-focus-modern-and-contemporary-prints","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/collecting-focus-modern-and-contemporary-prints\/","title":{"rendered":"Collecting Focus: Modern and Contemporary Prints"},"content":{"rendered":"

Often mistaken for copies, prints are works of art in their own right\u2014and their popularity is on the rise, writes Florence Hallett<\/span><\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/i>Andy Warhol, \u201c<\/span><\/i>Flowers (Feldman & Schellmann II.64-73)<\/a>,\u201d signed, 1970. Courtesy of Sotheby\u2019s<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Whether it\u2019s pop art or Picasso, opportunities for acquiring extraordinary prints of celebrated artworks to adorn your walls have never been greater. \u201cThe prints market is incredibly broad and diverse, offering something for everyone,\u201d says Yessica Marks, director and head of Sotheby\u2019s prints department. \u201cPrints allow collectors to acquire genuine and recognisable compositions by world-renowned artists,\u201d she says.<\/span><\/p>\n

They\u2019re often smaller than paintings, allowing collectors to complement an existing interior scheme or display, or to create a striking talking point. Crucially, they are easy to take from one home to another, or to reposition as part of a refresh\u2014with modern and contemporary prints enhancing interiors designed in newer styles, or providing a dynamic counterpoint to historic spaces. \u201cGlobally, we\u2019re seeing a strong appetite for bold, colorful pop and post-war prints\u201d, says Marks. \u201cIn recent years we\u2019ve seen especially notable prices for complete portfolios and unique colorways of iconic screen prints by Andy Warhol.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Exhibitions by major institutions have helped to raise the profile of the medium, and correct the popular misconception that prints are copies, rather than works of art in themselves. From Warhol\u2019s screen prints to Edvard Munch\u2019s experiments in woodcut, lithography, drypoint and etching, for many artists, printmaking is at the heart of their practice. \u201cEvery time a blockbuster exhibition emphasizes a particular artist\u2019s prints, we see a surge of requests for their work,\u201d says Marks.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/span><\/i>Andy Warhol, \u201cMoonwalk (Feldman & Schellmann II.404<\/a>),\u201d signed by Buzz Aldrin, 1987. Courtesy of Sotheby\u2019s\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Sotheby\u2019s has seen an exceptional number of record prices achieved during the pandemic and in the years since. But while scarce and highly prized pieces can fetch in the millions, prices at auction typically begin at more accessible prices, making it an ideal starting point for new collectors. \u201cWe\u2019re seeing an unprecedented number of new and younger bidders,\u201d says Marks, adding that this is spurred on by improved online sales platforms.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sotheby\u2019s <\/span>fall sale for prints<\/span><\/a>, open for bidding September 18\u201325, has a focus on Modernist figuration, from Picasso\u2019s splendid linocut, \u201cPortrait of a Woman, after Lucas Cranach,\u201d 1958, to a selection of Andy Warhol\u2019s bold representations of historical figures, from Chairman Mao to Mick Jagger.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe are especially thrilled to be offering a collection of Surrealist and Dada masterpieces, led by Marcel Duchamp\u2019s celebrated and subversive \u2018L.H.O.O.Q.,\u2019\u201d says Marks. \u201cThis idiosyncratic reinvention of Leonardo Da Vinci\u2019s beloved \u2018Mona Lisa,\u2019 marred by a quirky mustache, has become an icon of 20th-century art,\u201d she adds.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/span><\/i>Howard Hodgkin, \u201cNight Palm (Heenk 86)<\/a>,\u201d signed, 1990-91. Courtesy of Sotheby\u2019s<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Another much-anticipated highlight is a group of mixed-media prints by Howard Hodgkin, from the artist\u2019s estate. They complement his paintings, but stand as their own body of work, explains Marks: \u201cIt\u2019s an incredible honor to be entrusted with the sale of his own collection.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Be warned: prints can be addictive: \u201cFrequently, collectors are first enticed by decorative or cultural value, and as they delve further, they become enamored with the intricacies of the various printmaking processes.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Demand is so high that Sotheby\u2019s is now offering dedicated sales in Cologne, while the newly opened Sotheby\u2019s Maison in Hong Kong has a selection of contemporary British prints for instant purchase, with works by Damien Hirst and Marc Quinn proving especially popular. Prints are a sound investment, but may prove hard to let go, says Marks: \u201cWith proper care, prints can be exhibited and enjoyed for many years, either as standalone pieces that anchor a space or in intricate salon-style hangs.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Sotheby\u2019s <\/a>Prints & Multiples<\/a> auction runs from September 18\u201325; <\/a>sothebys.com<\/a><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

<\/i>\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Often mistaken for copies, prints are works of art in their own right\u2014and their popularity is on the rise, writes Florence Hallett Andy Warhol, \u201cFlowers (Feldman & Schellmann II.64-73),\u201d signed, 1970. Courtesy of Sotheby\u2019s Whether it\u2019s pop art or Picasso, opportunities for acquiring extraordinary prints of celebrated artworks to adorn your walls have never been […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":64295786,"featured_media":342673,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[1403],"tags":[1487],"class_list":["post-342669","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-market-insights","tag-sothebys"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_likes_enabled":false,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pf4gbL-1r8V","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":395,"url":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/collecting-focus-americana\/","url_meta":{"origin":342669,"position":0},"title":"Collecting Focus: Americana","author":"Procurement Admin","date":"January 20, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"U.S. folk art and furniture bring history, craft and comfort to the home interior. A Sotheby\u2019s auction highlights rare finds, writes Melissa Feldman Celebrated designer Ken Fulk guest-curates the pre-sale installation of \u201cVisions of America\u201d at Sotheby\u2019s New York. Photo: Pascal Perich, courtesy of Sotheby\u2019s After introducing the inaugural \u201cVisions\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Art and Culture"","block_context":{"text":"Art and Culture","link":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/category\/art-and-culture\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/header-4.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/header-4.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/header-4.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/header-4.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/header-4.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/header-4.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":387,"url":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/significant-sales-2024-highlights\/","url_meta":{"origin":342669,"position":1},"title":"Significant Sales: 2024 Highlights","author":"Procurement Admin","date":"January 6, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"From a US$74.25M sale in Palm Beach Florida, to a \u00a315.5M sale in London, England, here are ten of the top sales represented by the Sotheby\u2019s International Realty global network in 2024. Palm Beach, Florida Todd Peter, Frances Peter | Sotheby's International Realty \u2013 Palm Beach Brokerage, US$74.25M View Properties\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Market Insights"","block_context":{"text":"Market Insights","link":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/category\/market-insights\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Bahamas1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Bahamas1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Bahamas1.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Bahamas1.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Bahamas1.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Bahamas1.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":411,"url":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/sothebys-international-realty-expands-in-tennessee\/","url_meta":{"origin":342669,"position":2},"title":"Sotheby’s International Realty Expands in Tennessee","author":"Procurement Admin","date":"February 15, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Sotheby's International Realty has announced that Realty Center of\u00a0Chattanooga\u00a0in\u00a0Tennessee\u00a0has joined the network and its two offices will now operate as Horizon Sotheby's International Realty. This addition signifies the brand's continued growth in\u00a0Tennessee\u00a0with six offices in the state. Horizon Sotheby's International Realty, headquartered in\u00a0Chattanooga, will serve communities spanning from\u00a0Athens, Tennessee, to\u00a0Dalton,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Brand News"","block_context":{"text":"Brand News","link":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/category\/brand-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Chatanooga.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Chatanooga.jpeg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Chatanooga.jpeg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Chatanooga.jpeg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Chatanooga.jpeg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Chatanooga.jpeg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":430,"url":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/sothebys-international-realty-expands-into-the-philippines\/","url_meta":{"origin":342669,"position":3},"title":"Sotheby’s International Realty Expands into the Philippines","author":"Procurement Admin","date":"March 18, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Sotheby's International Realty today announced the opening of Philippines Sotheby's International Realty, marking its 18th\u00a0office in\u00a0Asia. The company is headquartered in the financial and commercial hub of\u00a0Makati. Leading Philippines\u00a0Sotheby's International Realty is\u00a0Catherine Ocariz-Florencio, a seasoned real estate professional with over 15 years of industry experience. As the 2019 president of\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Brand News"","block_context":{"text":"Brand News","link":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/category\/brand-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/eibner-saliba-3T9dDY0WqDI-unsplash.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/eibner-saliba-3T9dDY0WqDI-unsplash.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/eibner-saliba-3T9dDY0WqDI-unsplash.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/eibner-saliba-3T9dDY0WqDI-unsplash.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/eibner-saliba-3T9dDY0WqDI-unsplash.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/eibner-saliba-3T9dDY0WqDI-unsplash.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":415,"url":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/significant-sales-january-2025-highlights\/","url_meta":{"origin":342669,"position":4},"title":"Significant Sales: January 2025 Highlights","author":"Procurement Admin","date":"February 23, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"From a \u20ac$21M sale in Saint-Tropez, France, to a US$17.225M sale in Cambria, California, here are five sales represented by the Sotheby\u2019s International Realty global network in January. Spring Lake, New Jersey Elizabeth Hewson Judge, Michael Skea | Ward Wight International Realty, US$25M View properties in Spring Lake New Jersey\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Market Insights"","block_context":{"text":"Market Insights","link":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/category\/market-insights\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Cambria-Header.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Cambria-Header.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Cambria-Header.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Cambria-Header.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Cambria-Header.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Cambria-Header.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":437,"url":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/significant-sales-february-2025-highlights\/","url_meta":{"origin":342669,"position":5},"title":"Significant Sales: February 2025 Highlights","author":"Procurement Admin","date":"March 29, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"From an\u00a0AED 330M sale in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, to a US$39.995M sale in Newport Beach, California, here are five sales represented by the Sotheby\u2019s International Realty global network in February. Dubai, United Arab Emirates Regan Faulkner, Ioana Armeanu | Dubai Sotheby's International Realty,\u00a0AED 330M View properties in Dubai, United\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Market Insights"","block_context":{"text":"Market Insights","link":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/category\/market-insights\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/header.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/header.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/header.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/header.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/header.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/header.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/342669","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/64295786"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=342669"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/342669\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=342669"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=342669"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sothebysrealty.com\/extraordinary-living-blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=342669"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}