A Seller's Guide To M. C. Escher

Born in the Netherlands in 1898, Escher studied at the School for Architecture and Decorative Arts in Haarlem, where he discovered his passion for graphic arts rather than architecture. After spending over a decade in Italy creating naturalistic landscape prints, he developed his signature style-a blend of mathematical concepts and paradoxical architectural form. Escher's technical mastery of woodcut, lithography, and mezzotint, and his preference for monochrome tones, allowed him to create works of extraordinary complexity and depth. Escher's prints demonstrate a simultaneous meticulous attention to detail and a fantastical disregard for reality.

Escher’s print market includes a mix of impossible constructions and realistic illustrations, where his combination of the real and the surreal drives the highest demand among collectors. Individual prints by Escher typically fetch between £15,000 and £60,000, with particularly iconic works commanding six-figure prices.

Prints that feature Escher’s signature styles are particularly sought after. For example, the incredibly rare woodcut Coast Of Amalfi (1934) was created during a transitional period in Escher’s career when his Italian landscapes were influencing his paradoxical structures. This print depicts the Amalfi Coast as a somewhat paradoxical arrangement of houses, pathways, and stairways. For its distinct reflection of Escher’s creative development, the work sold for £196,754 in 2023 - eight times the high estimate. This significant, and recent sale underscores Escher’s unrelenting popularity and the widening pool of interested collectors.

Another popular theme featured in many of Escher’s best-selling prints is metamorphosis. These prints tend to feature two or more creatures, animals, or shapes forming an interlocking pattern, merging into one another, or changing as a result of that interaction. Metamorphosis II (1939/40), an almost four-metre-long stream of changing objects, animals, and patterns, sold for £160,000 in 2021 - an increase from £115,027 in 2019.

The record sale of an Escher print is held by another metamorphosis example. In 2022, Reptiles (1943) sold for £460,290. Five times over its high estimate, this price underscores the impressive selling results Escher prints have been achieving. Reptiles, featuring a circle of realistic crocodiles climbing in and out of a two-dimensional tessellation pattern, is typical of Escher’s popular real vs. surreal concepts.

Seemingly breaking the mould is Ant (1943), a realistic depiction of an ant. Prints from this edition appear regularly at auction and consistently exceed estimates. In 2022 an edition sold for £163,910, over four times its high estimate of £38,821. The popularity of this piece reflects collector interest in Escher’s key iconography - including ants, amphibians, reptiles, birds, flying insects, and fish. Works featuring unravelling human heads, such as Bond of Union (1956), which sold for over £49,000 twice in 2022, and Rind (1955), which sold for over £42,000 in the same year, are also popular.

Prints from Escher's earlier period, particularly his Italian landscapes from the 1920s and early 1930s, typically sell for £5,000 to £15,000, with prominent examples achieving upwards of £50,000. These works, while less famous than his later mathematical pieces, maintain steady demand among collectors interested in his artistic development. A particularly early etching, Railway Bridge Across The Rhine At Oosterbeek (1917), sold for £65,000 in 2023, while, in 2022, Cathedral of Cefalù, Sicily (1932) sold for £64,701.

Limited edition prints with low numbers tend to command premium prices. Escher typically produced small editions, making authentic prints particularly valuable. Artist proofs, marked with "EA" or "AP," and trail proofs, marked with “TP,” often achieve prices 20-30% higher than regular numbered editions due to their rarity and historical significance. A black-and-white trial proof of Circle Limit III (1959) sold for £138,029 in 2022, a significant increase on the £18,126 sale of a coloured regular edition in 2006.

Authentication begins with thorough provenance research. Documentation of the print's history, including past sales, exhibitions, and ownership transfers provides crucial evidence of legitimacy. Certificates of authenticity, gallery receipts, and exhibition catalogues help establish a clear chain of ownership leading back to Escher's studio.

The complete catalogue of Escher's prints is documented in The Graphic Work of M.C. Escher (first published in 1960), which he helped compile. This resource provides essential details about printed editions, techniques, and dates of creation. Additionally, M.C. Escher: His Life and Complete Graphic Work (1981) by Bool, Kist, Locher, and Wierda serves as an authoritative reference for authentication. The M.C. Escher Foundation, established by the artist himself in 1968, can also consult on prints and artworks.

Physical analysis of the print itself is also valuable. Escher’s woodcuts should show clear, sharp lines and precise registration between different blocks when multiple colours are used. Lithographs should display the characteristic smoothness of stone printing, while his mezzotints exhibit the rich tonal gradations specific to this technique. Each printing method has unique identifying features that experts can verify.

Paper authentication is equally important. Escher predominantly used Van Gelder paper, which is a particular colour and carries specific watermarks and weight characteristics. Some prints from his Italian period used local papers, which experts can identify through historical documentation. The quality and type of paper used should align with known examples from the same period and edition.

Edition And Signature

Escher signed his prints in pencil, typically placing his signature in the lower right margin, accompanied by an abbreviated date and, occasionally, the work’s title. His signature remained fairly consistent throughout his career, featuring curled letters and deliberate underlining. Within the image of the print itself, you can often see Escher’s “MCE” monogram with the original creation date and a set of Roman numerals. Edition numbers appear as fractions in the lower left, preceded by “No.,” with editions ranging from 20 to 100 prints. Artist's proofs, marked "EA" or "AP," and trial proofs, marked “TP,” are particularly valuable for authentication as they often contain printer's notations or unique variations. Escher maintained meticulous records of his editions, making verification of numbering an important aspect of authentication. His early prints sometimes feature additional inscriptions or dedications, which can provide valuable provenance information when verified against historical records.

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Selling an M. C. Escher Print Via Auction House

Prestigious auction houses like Christie's, Sotheby's, and Phillips regularly feature Escher's prints in their Modern print sales. These institutions provide extensive global exposure, attracting serious collectors particularly interested in Escher’s artwork. Their catalogues effectively contextualise Escher prints, potentially driving competitive bidding among informed buyers. The auction format can be especially advantageous for rare prints or those with exceptional provenance, such as early proofs or prints from significant collections.

However, auction house fees typically reach 25% of the hammer price, and the process involves inherent risks. Your print might exceed expectations or fail to meet its reserve price, potentially affecting its future market value. Auction schedules are also inflexible, which may mean waiting several months for an appropriate sale. The public nature of auctions means results are widely reported, which can impact future valuations regardless of the outcome.

To learn more, read our guide to Auction v Private Sale in the Art Market.

Selling An M. C. Escher Print Via Broker

Art brokers specialising in modern prints can offer a more nuanced approach to selling Escher's work. These professionals often maintain networks of collectors specifically interested in mathematical art, optical illusions, and Dutch Modernism. They can develop targeted strategies based on a deep understanding of Escher's market.

Working with a broker typically involves lower fees compared to auction houses, generally ranging from 10% to 20%. The privacy of private sales can help protect market value regardless of the outcome, and brokers can often facilitate faster transactions than auction houses. Their expertise proves particularly valuable for prints that might appeal to specific collectors, such as those focusing on Escher's exploration of perspective or his architectural works. When selecting a broker, prioritise those with demonstrated experience handling Escher's prints and understanding of their artistic significance. A knowledgeable broker can also guide you through authentication processes and help determine optimal timing for sale.

Selling An M. C. Escher Print Via Online Marketplace

Online platforms have transformed the art market, but they present unique challenges for selling valuable Escher prints. While these venues offer global reach and potentially quick sales with lower fees than traditional channels, they lack the expertise and security measures that blue chip artists like Escher require. Certain platform's limitation in properly presenting technical details and provenance can lead to undervaluation.

Authentication concerns also become particularly pronounced in the digital space, where verification of Escher's intricate printing techniques proves challenging. If considering this route, opt for specialised fine art platforms with legitimate authentication processes and experience handling significant artworks. These platforms should have proper insurance, secure payment systems, and established protocols for handling high-value works. However, for Escher's highest valued prints, particularly those featuring his most famous mathematical concepts or optical illusions, traditional sales channels likely offer better protection and potential for optimal pricing.