Studio © John Baldessari 1988
Leah Mentzis, Partnerships Managerleah@myartbroker.com
Interested in buying or selling
John Baldessari?
John Baldessari
13 works
Key Takeaways
John Baldessari's prints, particularly those featuring his distinctive mixed media and found photography style, typically range from £5,000 to £30,000, with rare pieces fetching over £100,000. Authentication requires examining provenance, signature, edition number, and consulting the catalogue raisonné by Sharon Coplan Hurowitz. The John Baldessari Studio serves as a crucial resource for verification of later works. Preserving prints in controlled environments, away from direct light and humidity, is essential for maintaining value. For optimal selling, monitor contemporary art market trends and major events related to Conceptual Art - for example, John Baldessari: Pure Beauty, a touring exhibition that reinvigorated the market in 2011.
John Baldessari, a pivotal figure in Conceptual Art, is known for his playful yet profound approach to creating art. Born in 1931 in California, Baldessari’s six-decade career saw him blend photography, painting, and text, often incorporating found imagery and exploring the relationship between visual and verbal communication. If you have a Baldessari print to sell, this guide will help you decide the best time, place, and price for an optimal sale.
Baldessari's contributions to Conceptual Art and his role in shaping postmodern artistic practices secured his place as a seminal figure in late 20th and early 21st century art. His printmaking career, which began in earnest in the 1970s, was equally innovative and prolific. Collaborating with renowned print studios such as Gemini G.E.L., Cirrus Gallery, and Crown Point Press, Baldessari produced a vast array of lithographs, screenprints, and digital prints that embodied his conceptual approach. These prints, often featuring his signature use of appropriated images, shapes of colour obscuring faces, and text elements, have become highly sought after by collectors and institutions alike.
How Much Do John Baldessari Prints Sell For?
The market for John Baldessari's prints reflects the artist's diverse and prolific output, with prices varying based on factors such as rarity, size, and historical significance. He favoured screenprinting and lithography because they made it easier to incorporate photographic elements and printed text. His use of unconventional materials and his whimsical approach to traditional printmaking techniques means his prints have stood the test of time as thought-provoking, visually striking, and bold.
Baldessari's later works are generally the most prevalent on the art market. These pieces feature his signature style of combining photographic images with vibrant geometric shapes or text and regularly sell for upwards of £20,000.
A record price for Baldessari prints was set in 2016 when Prima Facie (Third State): From Aloof To Vapid (2005), a diptych of digital prints, sold for £156,741 at Christie’s New York. A similar diptych, Prima Facie (Fifth State): Abstract (2007) sold for £141,701 in May 2024. The highest value secured by a single Baldessari print is £130,000; Raised Eyebrows / Furrowed Foreheads: Arm (With Shadow) (2009) features the artist’s characteristic black-and-white photography with bursts of colour and thick, flat, cartoonish blobs and lines. Other earlier prints continue to captivate collectors - I Will Not Make Any More Boring Art (1971), for example, prints of which sold for between £21,000 and £31,000 in 2020-23.
Baldessari’s instantly recognisable compositions with colourful spots, often placed over the faces of people within his found photographs, feature in many of his highest-value prints. Three Moments (1999), for example, sold in 2022 for over £30,000; Money (With Space Between) (1994) sold in the same year for over £20,000; and his ever-popular The Fallen Easel (1988) has sold multiple times since 2014 for over £15,000. Studio (1988) sold in March 2024 for over £15,000.
The market for Baldessari's work has shown resilience, with steady growth over the past decade, particularly following his passing in 2020. Factors such as provenance, condition, and the print's place within Baldessari's oeuvre all play crucial roles in determining value. Rare artist proofs or unique prints can significantly exceed these general price ranges.
How Do You Authenticate a John Baldessari Print?
Authenticating a Baldessari print requires a combination of technical analysis, provenance research, and expert evaluation. Given Baldessari's conceptual approach and use of appropriated imagery, understanding the context and intent behind each work is crucial to the authentication process, which is why we recommend consulting with an expert in his work.
Catalogue Raisonné
The primary reference for authenticating Baldessari's prints is John Baldessari: A Catalogue Raisonné of Prints and Multiples 1971-2007 by Sharon Coplan Hurowitz. For works produced after 2007, consultation with the John Baldessari Studio or his long-time representing galleries, such as Marian Goodman Gallery or Sprüth Magers, is advisable.
Edition and Signature
Baldessari typically signed his prints in pencil, in capital letters, in the bottom right-hand corner of his prints. Edition sizes vary considerably, with large and small editions performing equally successfully. Studio (1988), for example, is an edition of 150, and The Fallen Easel (1988) is an edition of 35. The edition number is usually found written in pencil in the bottom left corner.
Baldessari also produced artist's proofs and printer's proofs, usually denoted as “A.P.” or “P.P.” respectively. These proofs can be particularly valuable to collectors due to their relative rarity, regardless of the size of the standard print run - editions of 150 will have the same number of artist’s proofs as editions of 35.
Many of Baldessari's prints were produced in collaboration with renowned print workshops. Prints made with Gemini G.E.L. in Los Angeles, for example, often bear their distinctive chop mark. These workshop identifications can provide additional provenance and authenticity to a print.
Browse John Baldessari 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 John Baldessari Print Been Kept in Good Condition?
aldessari prints kept in good condition are more attractive to potential buyers than those that have sustained damage. Equally, prints that have had minimal restoration will also be more desirable. When assessing the condition of your Baldessari print, consider the paper quality, looking for any discolouration, foxing, or acid burn. Look for any blemishes on the shapes and sections of saturated colour, or lost detail in the black-and-white elements. For prints incorporating photographic elements, image clarity and contrast are essential, and can easily be lost when a print becomes faded in direct light. Examine the overall surface for any creases, scratches, or indentations, as these could indicate improper handling or poor framing. The condition of the margins is also important; untrimmed edges often indicate a well-preserved print.
Proper storage and display are crucial for maintaining a Baldessari print's condition. Ideally, prints should be kept in a controlled environment, away from direct sunlight, dust, excessive humidity, and temperature fluctuations - a portfolio is perfect. If framed, UV-protective glass and acid-free matting are recommended.
For a thorough assessment, consider consulting a paper conservator specialising in contemporary prints. They can provide a detailed condition report and advise on any necessary conservation measures. For advice on how to get started, contact MyArtBroker.
When is the Best Time to Sell My John Baldessari Print?
Several factors can influence the optimal timing for selling. Major retrospectives or exhibitions focused on Baldessari's work often generate renewed interest and can lead to increased market activity. For example, the comprehensive John Baldessari: Pure Beauty exhibition, which toured internationally from 2009 to 2011, resulted in a flurry of high-value print sales.
Significant events in the artist's career or life can also impact market dynamics. Following Baldessari's passing in 2020, there was a notable surge in interest in his work, with many collectors seeking to acquire pieces by the late artist. His death was the catalyst for many record sales made in the following four years.
Broader trends in the contemporary art market should also be considered. Periods when conceptual art is particularly in vogue can be advantageous for selling Baldessari's work. Major contemporary art sales at leading auction houses can create a favourable environment for selling, so, we recommend monitoring sales results and market reports from major auction houses and galleries. Look for patterns of prints selling above estimate or increases in the estimates themselves.
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 John Baldessari Print?
Selling a John Baldessari Via a Broker
Art brokers specialising in post-war and contemporary prints offer an alternative sales route for Baldessari's works. These professionals leverage their industry connections to facilitate private transactions, often providing a more discreet and personalised selling experience. Brokers can offer valuable insights into current market trends and assist in setting appropriate prices. The brokerage approach allows for greater flexibility in timing and negotiation, which can be advantageous in a fluctuating market. However, broker fees typically range from 10% to 30% of the sale price, depending on the value of the work and the complexity of the sale. When selecting a broker, prioritise those with a proven track record in handling conceptual art and specifically Baldessari's works. Request references and inquire about their strategies for marketing and placing prints with serious collectors or institutions.
Selling a John Baldessari Via Auction House
Renowned auction houses like Bonhams, Christie’s, and Sotheby’s frequently include Baldessari prints in their contemporary art sales. These establishments offer extensive marketing campaigns and access to a global network of collectors. The competitive nature of auctions can drive prices upward, especially for rare or historically significant Baldessari prints. However, the auction route comes with considerable costs. Seller's premiums can reach up to 25% of the hammer price, and there are often additional fees for insurance, cataloguing, and photography. The public nature of auctions also means that if a work fails to sell, it could become "burned" in the market, potentially affecting its future value. For unique or exceptionally valuable Baldessari prints, such as those from his early conceptual period, the auction platform can be particularly effective. Before consigning, thoroughly review the terms and conditions, paying close attention to reserve prices and withdrawal policies.
To learn more, read our guide to Auction v Private Sale in the Art Market.
Selling a John Baldessari Via Online Marketplace
The digital art market has expanded significantly, offering new platforms for selling prints by established artists like Baldessari. Online marketplaces such as eBay provide access to a broad audience of collectors and enthusiasts. These platforms often have lower overhead costs, which can translate to reduced fees for sellers. Selling online offers greater control over the presentation and pricing of your Baldessari print. Many platforms allow for detailed descriptions, high-quality images, and even videos showcasing the work. However, the online environment presents unique challenges, particularly for high-value prints, due to the lack of regulation. The lack of in-person viewing opportunities can make some buyers hesitant, and there's a risk of the work being undervalued due to platform algorithms or market saturation. For Baldessari prints of significant value or rarity, consider online platforms that specialise in blue-chip artists or those with a curated approach to their offerings. Be prepared to provide extensive documentation of provenance and condition to instil confidence in potential buyers in the absence of physical inspection.
Why Sell Your John Baldessari 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.
John Baldessari 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 John Baldessari 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.
Leah Mentzis, Partnerships Managerleah@myartbroker.com
Interested in buying or selling
John Baldessari?
John Baldessari
13 works
