Endangered Species (complete set) © Andy Warhol 1983 
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The definition of iconic images in the art market is constantly evolving, shaped by cultural and social relevance. In 2024, top market sales highlighted this evolution, emphasising works tied to poignant themes. At MyArtBroker, we’ve been dedicated to examining what it truly means for an artwork to be deemed “iconic” in today’s art world.
This article explores how that definition is reflected in the themes and impact of the featured artworks and artists. Listed in descending order, we’ve compiled the top ten global print sales of 2024, showcasing the year’s most defining moments in the prints and multiples market.
Flowers (complete set)
Andy Warhol’s Flowers series is one of his most iconic and enduring bodies of work. First created in 1970, the Flowers prints present vibrant and stylised depictions of hibiscus blossoms, whose broad appeal lies in its timeless simplicity and its ability to resonate across generations, making it a cornerstone of Warhol's print oeuvre. The complete set came to auction in Sotheby’s online September sale in 2024, achieving a commendable £1.2 million. This result not only reaffirmed the importance of the series but also underscored the increasing relevance of online auctions in the art market.
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Image © Christie's / De ou par Marcel Duchamp ou Rrose Sélavy (La Boîte-en-valise), Series A © Marcel Duchamp 1935-40De ou par Marcel Duchamp ou Rrose Sélavy (La Boîte-en-valise), Series A
Marcel Duchamp's De ou par Marcel Duchamp ou Rrose Sélavy (La Boîte-en-valise), Series A (circa 1935-1940) represents a groundbreaking work in conceptual art, encapsulating his oeuvre in a portable “box of treasures.” Selling for £1.3 million at Christie's November sales, this sale also highlights Christie's continued strategy to diversify its traditional print offerings, an important pivot in response to the somewhat softer 2024 market, catering to collectors seeking innovative and historically significant works.
Image © Galerie Kornfeld Bern / Madonna – Liebendes Weib - Woman Making Love © Edvard Munch c. 1895-1902
Madonna – Liebendes Weib - Woman Making Love
Edvard Munch's Madonna – Liebendes Weib - Woman Making Love (circa 1805 - 1902) is a quintessential example of the artist’s ability to explore themes of sensuality, mortality, and existentialism. This evocative work captures Munch's iconic style, blending emotional depth with symbolic resonance, making it a cornerstone of his artistic legacy. In September 2024, the print sold for £1.3 million (hammer) at Galerie Kornfeld Auktionen AG in Bern, Switzerland, highlighting the global demand for his work.
Image © Christie's / Flower Thrower Triptych © Banksy 2010Flower Thrower (trip-tych)
In February, Christie's presented the Elton John Collection, which included a Banksy Flower Thrower (triptych) (2010) encased in the artist's signature gold frame. Making its auction debut, the piece achieved £1.5 million, surpassing its high estimate of £1.1 million and setting a new record for this editioned work. This sale highlights the powerful combination of iconic imagery and celebrity provenance, demonstrating how such factors can significantly elevate the value of artworks in the market.
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Flowers (complete set)
Warhol's Flowers (complete set) (1970) made its first appearance on the 2024 art market in June at Ketterer Kunst, achieving an impressive £1.5 million against a high estimate of £1 million, underscoring its global appeal. This series, with its contemplative juxtaposition of beauty and impermanence, continues to affirm its timeless significance. Its strong market performance secured two spots among the top-selling prints and editions of 2024, further highlighting its desirability among collectors.
Green Pool With Diving Board And Shadow (Paper Pool 3) © David Hockney 1978Green Pool With Diving Board and Shadow (Paper Pool 3)
David Hockney's Green Pool with Diving Board and Shadow (Paper Pool 3) (1978) is an example of his innovative use of colour and texture to capture light, movement, and the serene atmosphere of Southern California. Created in 1978 as part of his Paper Pools series, this unique editioned work is a testament to Hockney’s experimentation with handmade paper pulp, blending painting and printmaking in a groundbreaking way. In Christie's November 2024 sale, it achieved £1.7 million securing its place among the year’s standout print and edition sales.
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Image © Christie's / Untitled (Cowboy) © Richard Price 1997Untitled (Cowboy)
Richard Prince's Cowboy prints are significant for their exploration of American identity and cultural mythology, reimagining the Marlboro Man as a symbol of both nostalgia and critique. Untitled (Cowboy) (1997), which appeared at Christie's London October sale, sold for just over £2 million, cementing its place among the top-selling prints of 2024. This landmark sale highlights the continued relevance and desirability of Prince’s works that challenge and redefine the boundaries of appropriation art.
Image © Christie's / Fugaku sanjurokkei (Thirty-six views of Mount Fuji) © Hokusai c. 1830-34Katsushika Hokusai
Hokusai's Fugaku Sanjurokkei (Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji) (c. 1830-1840), a complete set of 46 prints, sold for £2.8 million with fees at Christie's Japanese and Korean Art auction in May 2024. This sale set a new auction record for the artist and ranked among the top-selling prints of H1 2024.
Marilyn Monroe (complete set)
In October, MyArtBroker hosted a live panel discussion in collaboration with Iconic Images, bringing together our experts and guest specialists to explore the intersections of iconicism across photography, fashion, and art. A central focus of the conversation was Marilyn Monroe - both as an image and a figure - and how artists like Warhol perceived and portrayed her. Forever iconic and enduring, Warhol’s complete set of Marilyn prints made a singular appearance in 2024 at Christie’s May New York auctions, achieving an impressive £2.9 million with fees.
Endangered Species (complete set)
Warhol's Endangered Species series addresses the ever-relevant topic of climate change - a subject that continues to dominate global discourse. Always ahead of his time, Warhol could not have anticipated just how resonant this series would become today. Rarely seen on the market, the complete set appeared only once in 2024, achieving a record-breaking sale of £3.4 million at Sotheby’s November sales. This milestone not only set a new benchmark for the series but also secured its place as the top-selling print and multiples work of the year.
Continue reading to explore the top prints and edition sales of 2023.
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