Blue Curve (State II) © Ellsworth Kelly 1988
Ellsworth Kelly
13 works
Key Takeaways
Ellsworth Kelly's prints, known for their bold colours and geometric precision, are highly valued in the art market. Prices typically range from a few thousand to over £40,000, depending on rarity, condition, and provenance. The record sale of Blue Curve (State II) in 2022, highlights the steady appreciation of his work’s value. Appraising a Kelly print involves authentication, assessing its condition, and analysing current market trends. Provenance, cross-referencing with the catalogue raisonné by Yve-Alain Bois, and verifying signatures and edition numbers are crucial steps. Exhibitions and events can also impact a print's value.
Ellsworth Kelly’s work is deceptively simple. His knack for deception recruited him to the Ghost Army in World War II, where he created visual illusions to misdirect and confuse German troops. This skill translated into his art, and he became a key figure in post-war American art, producing work that encompassed painting, sculpture, and printmaking, and explored the relationships between colour, shape, and space. This seller's guide will help you navigate the art market and secure the best sale of your Kelly print.
Kelly’s bold monochromatic forms and precise geometries significantly shaped the Minimalist movement and colour field painting style. He was influenced by his time in post-war France, embracing European modernism, abstraction, and the influence of chance on art and life. Throughout his career, he challenged the boundaries of non-representational art, creating works that challenged the precepts of visual perception and reimagined the interplay between art and architecture. His prints became highly sought after, translating his signature style into limited editions for a broader audience.
How Much Do Ellsworth Kelly Prints Sell For?
Ellsworth Kelly's printmaking career spanned over five decades, beginning in the 1960s. He collaborated extensively with Gemini G.E.L. in Los Angeles, producing many of his most significant editions there. Kelly also worked with other notable print workshops, including Tyler Graphics Ltd. and Maeght Éditeur in Paris. His long-standing relationship with printer Kenneth Tyler, of Tyler Graphics Ltd., led to the creation of some of Kelly’s now most well-recognised and innovative prints. His Coloured Paper Images series, made at this time, was created using dyed paper pulp - a “wet collage” technique that blended painting and collage. Kelly's approach to printmaking mirrored his painting practice, emphasising bold colours, clean lines, and geometric designs. His prints often explored the interplay between figure and ground, which became an integral part of his artistic legacy.
Ellsworth Kelly prints vary widely in value, reflecting the artist's long career and diverse output. Prices typically range from a few thousand to upwards of £40,000, depending on factors such as rarity, condition, and provenance. Limited edition prints from Kelly's earlier periods, particularly those from the 1960s and 1970s, often command the highest prices. For example, his highest print sale at auction was a set of 24 lithographs from his Romanesque Series (formerly Third Curve Series) (1973-1976), which sold for £49,963 at Christie’s New York in 2014. The highest value achieved by a single print of Kelly’s was £47,447 for Blue Curve (State II) (1988), which sold at Sotheby’s in 2022 - this value was almost twice its high estimate. Part of the reason for this impressive auction result is the print’s rarity, with an edition size of just 15, with 6 artist proofs. If you are in possession of an artist's proof, you can expect it to fetch a higher value than standard edition prints.
The size of your Kelly print will affect the price - larger prints, for example Colored Paper Image V (Blue Curves) (1976), which is 116.2 x 80.7cm, will be valued higher. More affordable options exist for collectors, with some of Kelly's later, smaller prints available for under £10,000. However, even these more accessible works have seen significant appreciation over time.
How Do You Authenticate an Ellsworth Kelly Print?
The most important factor in establishing the authenticity of a print is tracing its history. Provenance, detailing the print’s past owners and exhibition history, is the best way of proving legitimacy. These records should include, and match up with, gallery and auction house sales, so the print’s movements since its creation can be assessed. If your print lacks provenance, it can seriously damage the sales price; however, certain details can still be traced to prove authenticity before sale.
With all artworks, you should consult the artist’s catalogue raisonné - photographs of verified artworks and prints can help you check the signature, edition number, and details in your artwork. The most comprehensive catalogue raisonné of Kelly’s work is the two-volume Ellsworth Kelly: Catalogue Raisonné of Paintings, Reliefs and Sculptures by Yve-Alain Bois, released in 2015 and 2021 respectively.
The Ellsworth Kelly Foundation is one of the leading organisations for cataloguing Kelly’s work. They are able to assist with establishing provenance and appraising the value and legitimacy of your print - MyArtBroker can also help.
Edition and Signature
Signatures and edition numbers are crucial for authentication but are arguably the easiest part of a work to forge. Kelly typically signed his prints in pencil on the lower right-hand corner of his prints. It is usually neat and legible, though variations can be seen throughout his career. Early works may exhibit a more fluid script, while later signatures are often more controlled and uniform. Consult with someone familiar with the changes in Kelly’s work to ensure your print’s signature aligns with his practice at the time.
Edition numbers are usually found, in pencil, in the lower left-hand corner of the print. The number should be written as a simple fraction, 5/25. Validating the size of the edition, and the handwriting, can be done using Kelly’s catalogue raisonné or by consulting an expert.
Browse Ellsworth Kelly prints on the Trading Floor and find out more about the print market growth on the MAB100 Print Index.
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Has Your Ellsworth Kelly Print Been Kept in Good Condition?
To establish the condition of your Kelly print, begin by inspecting the paper for any signs of damage or ageing. Look for tears, creases, discolouration, or stains, especially around the edges and corners, which could have occurred as the print has changed hands. Check for any signs of foxing, which are small brown spots caused by mould or ageing. Assess the vibrancy of the colours; fading of Kelly’s signature bold colours caused by exposure to direct sunlight can significantly impact the print's value.
Next, examine the print under good lighting to detect any surface abrasions, scratches, or indentations. Pay particular attention to the consistency of the geometric shapes and lines, as any distortion could indicate water damage or an issue with the print’s authenticity. Ensure the signature and edition number are intact and legible, as these are crucial for both authentication and valuation.
The safest way to store a print is flat, in an acid-free portfolio, away from light and extremes of temperature and humidity. If your print has been displayed, ensure that the materials used are also acid-free, and glass used in framing is UV-resistant. If your print has sustained damage, consider consulting a professional conservator for a detailed assessment and potential restoration advice. MyArtBroker can help with valuation, appraisal, and conservation of your Kelly print.
When is the Best Time to Sell My Ellsworth Kelly Print?
The best time to sell an Ellsworth Kelly print can depend on several factors, including market conditions and specific events. Generally, selling during a strong market, when demand and prices are high, can yield the best returns. Significant anniversaries related to Kelly, such as the centennial of his birth or the anniversary of his passing, can generate increased interest and higher prices.
You should also monitor auction results and gallery sales, as this can provide insights into the current demand for Kelly's works. Selling during art fairs or major auctions, particularly those featuring modern and contemporary art, can attract serious collectors and competitive bidding. Capitalising on media coverage, exhibitions, or publications related to Kelly can enhance the desirability of his prints.
In January 2023, the Glenstone Museum in Maryland hosted the Ellsworth Kelly at 100 retrospective. In February, April, and June of the same year, four of Kelly’s top 12 print sales to date were achieved, proving that events that promote discussion of an artist’s work can drive better sales and elevate market interest.
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 Ellsworth Kelly Print?
Selling an Ellsworth Kelly Via a Broker
Engaging a private broker or dealer provides a more personalised approach. These art market professionals can develop a tailored sales strategy based on their comprehensive understanding of Kelly's market. They possess networks of serious collectors and can facilitate discreet sales, which can help preserve your print's market value. Broker fees typically range from 10% to 30%. While this may seem substantial, many sellers find the individualised service justifies the cost. It is crucial to select a broker with demonstrated experience in handling Kelly's work and that of his contemporaries. They will know how to effectively position your print, emphasising its unique characteristics and provenance to attract appropriate buyers.
Selling an Ellsworth Kelly Via Auction House
Auction houses offer a global platform for your Kelly print, providing the potential for competitive bidding among international collectors. They invest significantly in marketing, producing high-quality catalogues and organising preview events to generate interest. The dynamic atmosphere of a live auction can drive prices upward. However, this approach has drawbacks. Fees are substantial, often exceeding 25% of the sale price. You have limited control over pricing and timing, and there is a risk of your print remaining unsold. This could negatively affect its future value and potentially impact Kelly's broader market. Auction schedules are rigid, which may result in a considerable wait before your print is offered for sale.
To learn more, read our guide to Auction v Private Sale in the Art Market.
Selling an Ellsworth Kelly 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. Online art marketplaces such as eBay have emerged as viable alternatives for print owners looking for a quick sale. These platforms connect you with a wide array of collectors, offering complete control over the sale process. It is up to the seller to determine price, select listing time, and appraise the work itself, as a trade-off against lower fees compared to traditional auctions. Your print can be made available to buyers promptly. However, these digital platforms lack the stringent vetting procedures of established auction houses, making proving authenticity more challenging and therefore drastically reducing the final sale price. The seller is also responsible for the marketing of the work, including crafting descriptions and selecting images, limiting the number of collectors that will see the listing.
Prior to making a decision, it is advisable to consult art market experts who specialise in Kelly's work. They can provide valuable insights into current trends, collector preferences, and Kelly's position within the minimalist and colour field movements. This knowledge will assist you in developing a strategy that optimises your print's value. Consider your priorities - whether they be a swift sale, maximum price, or transaction privacy. Each selling method has its advantages and disadvantages, so your choice should align with your specific requirements and objectives.
Why Sell Your Ellsworth Kelly 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.
Read our cohesive report to navigate the art market as a seller: A Guide to Selling Prints in the Current Market.
Ellsworth Kelly 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 Ellsworth Kelly 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.
Ellsworth Kelly
13 works
