Joseph Mallord William Turner (British, 1775-1851), Liber Studiorum 71 in 2 folio boxes is one of the artworks collectors are going after as the London art market opens. Estimate: $17,000 – 26,000

ART AUCTION

Sale of art prints and multiples by famous artists from old masters thrills art collectors in London Art Market

LONDON—There is a great buzz in the London art market as collectors and buyers from across the globe gather for the Old Master Week.  In addition to announced artworks, there are expectations that important masterpieces by old masters will appear on the market. However, while the search for the great masterpiece continues, Bonhams is providing the opportunity for an alternative art niche that is both more affordable and with a track record in growing value as strong as any art market niche – Prints.

London Art Market Affordable Art

Established and new art collectors will have the opportunity to collect prints by famous artists during Bonhams Prints and Multiples sale on July 15 where Bonhams presents the London art market with affordable art.  The art event provides “a fantastic opportunity for art lovers with a small select high-value selection,” says Rupert Worrall, Head of Prints at Bonhams. The Prints and Multiples sale, he adds, provides “an opportunity to select from some of the western world’s greatest art – everything from Old Masters to Contemporary – at prices that are accessible from £5,000 to £70,000 – and a stability of value in a rising market.”

Bonhams Prints and Multiples sale features a fantastic collection of 71 etchings with mezzotint by William Turner, (British, 1775-1851) designed to educate future artists. Titled Liber Studiorum, the 71 works come in two folio boxes. It has an estimate of between £10,000-15,000. ($ 17,000 – 26,000).

The Liber Studiorum was published between 1807 and 1819. With 71 plates in 14 parts, each contains 5 etchings. The subjects of the prints are in the following categories: Pastoral, Marine, Mountainous, Architectural, Historical and Elevated Pastoral. As the title suggests, it was conceived as a collection for study and learning, to be of particular use to other artists.

The print collection proved to be a success.  It was admired by scholars and the public alike for its technical and artistic virtuosity. W.G. Rawlinson describes it as “a monumental work of art and that it will take rank with the highest productions of the greatest landscape painter which the world has yet seen”.

ALSO READ: Lucian Freud’s Whippet Dog Sold for $146,411 at Bonhams Art Auction

Salvador Dali (Spanish, 1904-1989), Dante Alighieri: La Divine Comédie 100 3 folios. Estimate: $ 69,000- 100,000

Salvador Dali (Spanish,1904-1989) Dante Alighieri: La Divine Comédie. Image courtesy of Bonhams

Another series of engraved works in this sale are by Salvador Dali (1904-1989). It is titled Dante Alighieri: La Divine Comédie. There are 100 wood engravings in 3 folios. It has an estimate of between £40,000-£60,000. The complete set, 1960-64, comprises 100 wood engravings printed in colors. Signed and inscribed, the artworks were published by Les Heures Claires, Paris.

Pablo Picasso (Spanish, 1881-1973), Quatre femmes nues et tête sculptée, Plate 82 from La suite Vollard. Estimate $51,000 – 86,000

Pablo Picasso (Spanish, 1881-1973), Quatre femmes nues et tête sculptée, Plate 82 from La suite Vollard. Image courtesy of Bonhams

Five works by Pablo Picasso range in price from £1,500 to £50,000 ($ 51,000 – 86,000). The latter work is titled Quatre femmes nues et tête sculptée, an etching made in 1934 from his famous Vollard Suite.

Marc Chagall (Russian/French, 1887-1985),  The Wolf Pit, from Daphnis and Chloe. Estimate: $ 27,000 – 34,000

Marc Chagall (Russian/French, 1887-1985), ‘The Wolf Pit, from Daphnis and Chloe’. Image courtesy of Bonhams

There are no fewer than 12 Chagalls in the sale, offering his usual stunning palette and ranging in price from £2,000 to £20,000($ 27,000 – 34,000). The most valuable is titled The Wolf Pit, from Daphnis and Chloe, a lithograph from 1961 printed in yellows, green, red, and blue.

Lucian Freud, Jeff Koons, David Hockney:

A dog theme emerges in a serendipitous way with the offerings of prints by Freud, Koons, and Hockney. These three modern artists present loving portraits of man’s best friend show.

Lucian Freud (British, 1922-2011), Pluto Aged Twelve. Estimate: $ 86,000 – 120,000

Lucian Freud (British, 1922-2011), Pluto Aged Twelve. Image courtesy of Bonhams

Freud’s etching titled Pluto Aged Twelve, is a whippet produced in 2000 and exhibited at London’s National Portrait Gallery – Lucian Freud Portraits in May 2012.  It is estimated to sell for £50,000 to £70,000 ($ 86,000 – 120,000)

David Hockney RA (British, born 1937), Vertical Dogs, one of the artworks setting the London art market into a frenzy. Estimate: $6,900 – 10,000

David Hockney RA (British, born 1937), Vertical Dogs. Image courtesy of Bonhams

Hockney offers two dachshunds at rest titled Vertical Dogs, an etching with aquatint printed in colors, 1995, estimated at £4,000 to £6,000 ($6,900 – 10,000).

Jeff Koons (American, born 1955), Puppy (Vase). Estimate: $ 8,600 – 12,000

Jeff Koons (American, born 1955), Puppy (Vase). Image courtesy of Bonhams

Jeff Koons (born 1955) has a work in the sale titled Puppy, made in 1998, a white ceramic vase shaped like a white West Highland Terrier. It is estimated to sell for £5,000 to £7,000 ($ 8,600 – 12,0000).