The Week in Prints: 21st - 27th October 2024

Phillips’ Editions and Works on Paper Sale demonstrated the ongoing power of American Pop Art, with Warhol’s Cowboys And Indians series setting new benchmarks. The complete set commanded $825,500 (£636,419) with fees, while a Sitting Bull print fetched an impressive $190,500 - nearly four times its presale estimate. The Moonwalk Suite also hit new heights, selling for $762,000. Warhol’s works consistently prove market favourites, and this latest sale underscores the enduring demand for his pieces, cementing Pop Art’s robust position in today’s print and editions market.

Noir, an early icon of the Berlin street art movement, launched his own digital sales platform, Thierry Noir Primary, with the release of The energy of the moment takes us through the night, a limited edition screenprint of 50. This move is part of a larger trend where artists take charge of their own primary sales, bypassing traditional galleries and auction houses. Noir’s vibrant work is known for its directness and energetic colour schemes, and this latest release serves to widen the artist's collector base with an alluringly accessibly price point.

According to the 2024 Art Basel & UBS Global Collecting Survey, spending on prints by high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) has seen a 35% increase since last year. The shift highlights prints as attractive, accessible assets, especially amid market uncertainties that make traditional art investments like high-value paintings less appealing. This upward trend is notable for its reach across demographics, with HNWIs from Mainland China leading the increase. Collectors are also showing openness to works by new and emerging artists, suggesting a balanced interest in both investment value and fresh artistic perspectives.

Newly uncovered engravings on 18th-century copperplates may reveal William Blake’s earliest works, discovered on the reverse sides of plates long held by Oxford’s Bodleian Libraries. With ultra-high-resolution scans, scholars identified practice etchings that likely belong to a young Blake during his apprenticeship, with motifs and unfinished sketches appearing. The revelations offer a rare glimpse into Blake’s early experimentation, adding depth to our understanding of his unique style. This discovery adds an intimate layer to Blake’s story, shedding light on the formative stages of a visionary artist and thinker.

Alex Katz, renowned for his sleek portraiture and captivating landscapes, was honoured with the National Medal of the Arts by President Biden in a White House ceremony. Recognised alongside cultural icons like Mark Bradford and Queen Latifah, Katz’s minimalist, large-scale compositions have made him a pivotal figure in American art for decades.

Stay tuned for next week’s roundup of the latest in prints.