Green Man © Elizabeth Frink 1992
Elisabeth Frink
16 works
Key Takeaways
Elisabeth Frink's prints are highly valued, ranging from £1,000 to £10,000, with significant interest in early lithographs and animal-themed works like the Green Man and Horse series. Authentication is crucial, often requiring consultation with Frink's catalogue raisonné or the Frink Estate and Archive for provenance verification and signature analysis. Proper storage and handling, such as using acid-free portfolios and UV-protective framing, are essential for maintaining value. The best time to sell coincides with events that boost interest, like major retrospectives or notable auction results, such as the 2018-2019 Sainsbury Centre retrospective.
Elisabeth Frink was a prominent British sculptor and printmaker renowned for her powerful, often unsettling works. Her art explored themes of human nature, aggression, and vulnerability, deeply influenced by her experiences during World War II and the Cold War. If you have a Frink print to sell, use this guide as a starting point.
While primarily celebrated for her sculptures, Frink was also an accomplished printmaker, beginning with lithography in the 1960s. Frink's printmaking career paralleled her sculptural work, expanding on similar themes and featuring her characteristic angular, rough-hewn figures and animal forms. Her unique ability to convey complex emotions through stark, expressive forms has consistently captivated collectors, leading to a steady increase in interest in recent years.
How Much do Elizabeth Frink Prints Sell For?
Elisabeth Frink prints vary significantly in value, influenced by factors such as rarity, condition, subject matter, and provenance. Her lithographs and etchings typically range from £1,000 to £10,000 at auction. Frink's early lithographs from the 1950s and 1960s, particularly those that accompanied her iconic Goggle Head series of sculptures and the falling and spinning men she created in response to World War II, are highly sought after. Her Green Man prints from the 1970s also attract considerable interest, often selling in the £5,000 to £8,000 range. In 2014, three Green Man plates sold for £7,000 at Christie’s London.
Animal subjects, a recurring theme in Frink's work, are popular among collectors. Her horse prints, reflecting her lifelong fascination with these animals, typically sell for £3,000 to £7,000. Bird of prey images, another Frink staple, can fetch similar prices; for example, two individual etchings from Frink’s Six Owls series (1977) sold for £7,500 each in 2017. Dogs were another favourite animal of Frink’s, with the rough and expressive Dog (1988) auctioned at Bonhams for £5,500 in March 2024. Frink’s highest-value auction sale to date was a complete portfolio of her Eight Animals series of lithographs, which sold for £9,500 at Bonham’s, London, in 2020.
Other popular works by Frink include her illustrative accompaniments to popular mythical texts. The Odyssey (1974) and The Canterbury Tales (1972) are both sought after.
Limited edition sizes impact value significantly; a factor that works in the favour of Frink collectors. Frink often produced editions of as few as 25, 50, or 70, ensuring that her work always reaps the rewards of scarcity. Printer's proofs and artist's proofs, being even rarer, sell for the most.
How Do You Authenticate an Elisabeth Frink Print?
As with all art, provenance is crucial. Prints with a clear history, especially those from notable collections or with exhibition history, can achieve higher prices. When authenticating a Frink print, several steps can be taken to ensure its legitimacy.
Firstly, consult the Elisabeth Frink catalogue raisonné, which documents her known works. This comprehensive resource can help verify if your print matches a recorded edition. Elisabeth Frink: Original Prints Catalogue Raisonné by Caroline Wiseman, published in 1998, is the most comprehensive printed catalogue of Frink’s prints; while copies of this book can be purchased, they will also be available with most reputable galleries and in the possession of specialist brokers. The Frink Estate and Archive, now housed at the Dorset History Centre after being gifted to the nation by her son, Lin Jammet, is also an invaluable resource, offering expert knowledge and authentication services, helping you protect your investment. The paper quality and printing technique should be consistent with Frink's known practices. She often used high-quality, textured papers for her lithographs and etchings. Any watermarks or printer's marks can provide additional verification.
Authentication is a complex process. Given the variability in Frink’s print market, professional appraisal is recommended for accurate valuation. Consult an appraiser directly, or speak to an auction house specialist with expertise in 20th-century British art, to gain an authoritative opinion on your print. They may use techniques like ultraviolet light examination to detect any signs of tampering or restoration.
Edition and Signature
Examining Frink’s signature on your print is simpler than with many of her contemporaries because her signature style remained fairly consistent throughout her career. Her signature is typically found in pencil below the image, often written as "D. Frink" or just “Frink.” To verify authenticity, familiarise yourself with examples of her signature from confirmed genuine prints. Edition numbers, usually written as a fraction (e.g., 15/75), are another key feature to examine. These indicate the print's place in the edition and can provide valuable information about its rarity and potential value.
Browse Elisabeth Frink prints on the Trading Floor and find out more about the print market growth on the MAB100 Print Index.
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Had Your Elisabeth Frink Print Been Kept in Good Condition?
When evaluating the condition of your Elisabeth Frink print, there are a few key things to look out for. Inspect the paper for any discolouration, such as yellowing or foxing, which may indicate improper storage, light exposure, or even mould or insect damage. Look closely for any creases, tears, or fold marks, as these imperfections can greatly diminish the print's value. The edges should be crisp and intact, free from any chipping or fraying. Verify that any pencil notes or signatures are clear and unsmudged.
Diligence is a vital ingredient in keeping your print free from wear and tear, and achieving a successful sale. Proper handling and storage are essential to maintaining its value. To best protect your print, store it in an acid-free portfolio or folder, shielded from dust, sunlight, humidity, and extreme temperatures. If you must remove the print, always handle it with clean cotton gloves. If you choose to display the print, ensure it is away from direct sunlight, and framed using archival-quality materials and UV protective glass. Avoid using glue or tape when mounting, as these can cause irreversible harm to the paper.
Prevention is better than a cure when it comes to damage to an art print. Professional restoration should be kept to a minimum to preserve the integrity and authenticity of the original. If you're uncertain about your print's condition, seek advice from a professional conservator who specialises in works on paper. They can offer expert recommendations for preservation and appropriate restoration techniques if necessary. For guidance and support, MyArtBroker is here to help you protect and enhance the value of your Frink print.
When is the Best Time to Sell My Elisabeth Frink Print?
The market for Frink's prints has shown steady growth since her death in 1993. A notable surge occurred following the major retrospective at the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts in 2018-2019, which reignited interest in her work. Following significant events like this can help you make a decision when the time comes to sell. Equally, it’s important to track the auction results of Frink’s original sculptures as well as her prints. When Frink’s Running Man (Front Runner) (1986) sold for £1.1million in 2022, the print market also experienced a boost.
Auction houses, such as Christie’s, Bonhams, and Phillips will regularly publish their auction results and value trajectory reports. Check in with these regularly to identify when Frink prints are selling above estimate, as this suggests demand is high amongst collectors.
MyArtBroker offers advanced art tech tools to help you determine the optimal time to sell. Our MyPortfolio service features an AI-powered value indicator that provides real-time valuations of individual prints based on both public and private sales data. Combined with our complimentary valuations, we can help ensure your print achieves maximum value by selling at the perfect moment.
Where Can I Sell My Elisabeth Frink Print?
Selling an Elisabeth Frink Via a Broker
For those seeking a more personalised approach, working with a private dealer can be effective. These art world professionals leverage their extensive networks and market knowledge to arrange discreet sales. When dealing with an artist of Frink's calibre, it's crucial to find a dealer with proven experience in handling works from her era and style. While dealer fees typically range from 10% to 30% and may involve exclusive agreements, many sellers find the tailored service and potential for better market positioning worthwhile. Established galleries that have exhibited Frink or similar artists can often recommend reputable dealers specialising in this area.
Selling an Elisabeth Frink Via Auction House
Auction houses remain a popular choice for selling fine art, offering global reach and an established client base ideal for renowned artists like Elisabeth Frink. The auction room's excitement, with its potential for competitive bidding and notable results, continues to attract sellers and buyers alike. However, this route presents challenges. Fees can be steep, often exceeding 25% of the sale price to cover marketing, appraisal, and logistics. Inflexible auction schedules and carefully planned sales to prevent market saturation can result in long wait times for sellers. The public nature of auctions means that unsold works may impact both the piece's future value and the artist's market standing.
To learn more, read our guide to Auction v Private Sale in the Art Market.
Selling an Elisabeth Frink Via Online Marketplace
Online marketplaces, such as eBay, are now a huge temptation for sellers of fine art. They appear to be simple, cheap, accessible alternatives to brokers and auction houses, and promise complete control over the sale. Yet, for high-value, historically significant works such as Frink prints, these digital channels pose distinct challenges. Unlike traditional art market venues, many online platforms lack robust vetting procedures and specialised expertise. This gap can expose both buyers and sellers to substantial risks. Sellers face the daunting task of managing complex aspects like provenance verification, condition assessment, and fair valuation - responsibilities typically handled by seasoned professionals in conventional settings. The inherent limitations of digital representation can significantly undervalue even authentic, well-documented works.
Before deciding on a sales strategy, it's crucial to seek guidance from art market experts who have demonstrated success with Frink's work and that of her contemporaries. These professionals can provide invaluable insights into current market dynamics, collector tendencies, and Frink's standing in 20th-century art history. Their expertise can be instrumental in developing a strategy that maximises the potential of your Frink print, ensuring you navigate the complexities of the art market with confidence and achieve the best possible outcome for your valuable piece.
Why Sell Your Elisabeth Frink with MyArtBroker?
A Dedicated Broker
MyArtBroker offers a distinctive service connecting clients with their dedicated personal broker, ensuring a secure transaction through our online digital platform. Our specialists excel at sourcing direct buyers for consigned prints via our live trading floor, where users within our extensive network can express interest in specific prints and multiples by particular artists, whether they intend to sell, buy, or simply enquire about a specific print. Our team is approachable, passionate, and consistently provides updates on the art market and artists. We guide sellers through a seamless transaction process, establishing a fair market valuation based on realistic sale prices and offering free advice on the optimal timing for selling, leveraging our extensive knowledge of the art market.
Minimise Risk
At MyArtBroker, we prioritise transparency and security in every art sale. Our stringent due diligence process ensures the authentication and verification of artwork provenance, drawing upon our in-house expertise and collaborating with professional external contacts when needed. This approach effectively mitigates the risk of trading counterfeit or stolen art pieces. Additionally, we minimise the risks associated with public sales. While public auctions may seem appealing, unsold prints can harm an artist's market. Private sales eliminate this risk and enable quicker liquidity release for your artwork compared to adhering to strict auction schedules dictating when your work can be offered for sale.
0% Seller's Fees, 100% of the Time
Our team of specialists offers tailored services to procure rare and special edition prints, catering to both seasoned collectors and newcomers to the market. As part of our standard practice, we provide complimentary valuations and charge zero seller's fees, setting us apart from other private brokers and traditional auction houses. By minimising overhead costs, we allocate resources towards digital innovation and targeted marketing strategies within our network and house magazine.
When it comes to selling artwork, achieving the best price hinges on accessing a niche market with an established collector community. If you're looking to sell a print, turning to a specialist in the print market, like MyArtBroker, yields superior results compared to approaching an auction house, which caters to broader categories of artwork.
Our Network
Through our live trading floor we empower our network of collectors, fundamentally reshaping the art investment and trading landscape in the digital era. Offering real time market data and insights gleaned from worldwide collectors, we establish value based on convenience, accessibility, and the exceptional level of transparency and security provided to over tens of thousands of users.
Elisabeth Frink Collection Management with MyPortfolio
In addition to our live trading floor, MyArtBroker's MyPortfolio serves as a collection management system, empowering collectors to curate and oversee their prints and editions collection. This feature grants users access to our print market database, uniquely tied to our proprietary algorithm, SingularityX. This algorithm scans and analyses both public auction and private sales data to determine real time valuations of individual print works, factoring in various aspects such as condition, colour, and other factors affecting value.
Read What Powers MyArtBroker's Technology? In Conversation With Stuart Jamieson, Financial Quant to learn more about our algorithm.
Emerging art tech tools are vital in navigating the current, and evolving, digital art market landscape. For instance, by adding Elisabeth Frink prints from our website to the MyPortfolio dashboard, users gain insight into unique sale opportunities and observe market performance and fluctuations as they happen, streamlining the sales process effortlessly. Our pioneering technology has revolutionised art portfolio management, making it more accessible and equipping users with data-driven insights for informed decisions. MyArtBroker harnesses cutting-edge technology driven by data, coupled with a team of industry experts, to deliver an exceptional experience. Our professionals work closely with clients, utilising the MyPortfolio dashboard, to provide personalised guidance for creating a profitable art collection. By merging technology and expertise, we are committed to offering unparalleled curation and customer service.
Elisabeth Frink
16 works
