Dressing The Bride © Max Ernst 1973
Max Ernst
11 works
Key Takeaways
Max Ernst's prints, known for their detailed and innovative techniques like frottage and grattage, can sell for significant sums, with some fetching up to £64,000 at auction. His collaborations with poet Paul Éluard, especially the Éluard Paul; Chanson Complète: Frontispiece, are particularly sought after. Authenticating Ernst's prints involves consulting resources like Max Ernst: Oeuvre-Katalog der Graphik by Werner Spies, verifying his distinctive pencilled signatures, and checking for publisher stamps from Éditions Cahiers d'Art or Aimé Maeght’s Atelier. Proper provenance is crucial, and the condition of the print, especially regarding fading, tears, and storage history, can greatly impact value. Selling during exhibitions or significant publications can boost interest and price. MyArtBroker offers dedicated brokers, 0% seller fees, and tools like MyPortfolio to provide real-time valuations and optimal selling conditions.
Max Ernst was a German painter, sculptor, graphic artist, and poet. As a key figure in both the Dada and Surrealist movements, Ernst is celebrated for his vivid artistic imagination and rebellion against traditional artistic conventions. Early exposure to psychoanalysis and a fascination with the subconscious profoundly influenced his art, leading to his development of unique methods, such as frottage and grattage. These methods of creating textures by pressing paint and rubbing or scraping surfaces lent themselves well to printmaking, bringing his fantastical landscapes and enigmatic figures to life. For collectors looking to sell an Ernst print, this guide will advise you on what to expect from the process and how to navigate your sale.
How Much do Max Ernst Prints Sell For?
Etching, lithography, aquatint, woodcut, drypoint - Ernst became a master of printmaking over the course of his lifetime. His prints are recognisable not just because of their fantastical subject matter, but also their fine and precise detail.
Some of Ernst’s most sought-after and successful prints at auction are the pieces he created alongside his friend Paul Éluard, a French poet. Both Surrealists, Ernst produced a series of collages and etchings to accompany Éluard’s poetry. Ernst’s highest selling print to date is the Éluard Paul; Chanson Complète: Frontispiece, which sold at auction in Sotheby’s, London, in 1999 for £64,000 - over three times its high estimate. Besides this exception, it is Ernst’s woodcuts that tend to reach the highest values at auction, regularly exceeding their estimates.
Ernst developed two new innovative artistic techniques, and was a key figure in the development of a third, over the course of his career, which heavily influenced the textures and detail featured in his prints. Frottage is a method of rubbing pencil or crayon over objects placed beneath the paper to transfer intricate patterns. Grattage is a method of scraping away layers of paint to reveal hidden forms. Decalcomania (decal) is a method of pressing paint between surfaces and pulling them apart to reveal a pattern. The best examples of Ernst’s frottage technique are his Histoire Naturelle (1926) series of lithographs, which, as relatively small plates, regularly sell for over £1,500.
How Do You Authenticate a Max Ernst Print?
Authentication is essential to establishing the true value of a Max Ernst print. Without proper provenance and authentication, prints can be significantly limited in their resale value. Verified documents such as Certificates of Authenticity, gallery receipts, and exhibition catalogues can help establish the print's history and legitimacy. Ernst’s works are documented in catalogues raisonnés, such as Max Ernst: Oeuvre-Katalog der Graphik by Werner Spies. These resources provide comprehensive records of Ernst's prints, including photographs, detailed descriptions, and exhibition histories, which are essential for authentication.
Edition and Signature
Ernst’s prints are typically signed and numbered, often featuring a small pencilled signature in the bottom left corner and a pencilled edition number in the bottom right - or vice versa. However, his signature can vary, making it a critical factor in the authentication process. Examining the style and placement of the signature is important, as inconsistencies can indicate a forgery. Authentic prints should have clear and consistent numbering that matches the documentation in the catalogue raisonné. Many of Ernst’s prints were produced in collaboration with renowned publishers who often used distinctive blindstamps or marks. For example, prints produced by Éditions Cahiers d'Art or by Aimé Maeght’s Atelier will have specific stamps that can aid in authentication. These marks not only serve as proof of authenticity but also add to the print's historical value.
Given the complexities of Ernst’s techniques and the potential for forgeries, consulting with a professional who specialises in his work is always recommended. These experts can provide a detailed analysis of the print, comparing it to known works and verifying its authenticity based on signature, technique, and provenance.
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Has Your Max Ernst Been Kept in Good Condition?
Ernst’s work can be both colourful and intricate, which means the quality of a well-kept print makes a huge difference to its visual appeal. However, some wear and tear on prints is to be expected, particularly when they are as old as many Ernst prints now are. For this reason, it is incredibly important to store and handle your print correctly. Keeping it out of direct sunlight and away from extreme temperatures and humidity will help to protect the integrity of the paper and the vibrancy of the colours and ink used. The best form of protection is an acid-free folder or portfolio. If your print has changed hands multiple times since its creation, more damage is likely to have occurred. Where possible, establish its history - how it has been displayed, stored, or exhibited.
The most common forms of damage are fading from prolonged exposure to sunlight, small tears or creases from folding, and glue or tape residue from mounting. Having your print evaluated by a professional appraiser will allow you to determine the impact of damage on the value of your print. In many cases, a conservator can then assist you in restoring the print to its original condition. MyArtBroker can assist you in beginning this process.
When is the Best Time to Sell My Max Ernst Print?
Ernst’s work is regularly exhibited across the world. When exhibitions take place, they tend to have a positive impact on the interest in Ernst’s works. Equally important events to look out for are book or catalogue publications. For example, Ernst’s highest print sale, of Éluard Paul; Chanson Complète: Frontispiece, took place the same year that Ernst’s collection of essays and commentaries on his work, Die Retrospektive, was published. When discussion of an artist’s work becomes more prevalent, the interest is generally reflected in the art market. To track upcoming auctions, and assess auction results, visit the websites of auction houses such as Christie’s, Bonham’s, Phillips, and Sotheby’s - each produces its own value trajectory reports.
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 Max Ernst Prints?
When it comes to selling prints and editions by Max Ernst, there are numerous avenues to explore:
Selling a Max Ernst Via Auction House
For those looking to sell high-value artworks by Max Ernst, prestigious auction houses such as Christie’s, Sotheby’s, and Phillips are often the first choice. These venues provide an esteemed and professional setting that attracts a large pool of collectors, encouraging competitive bidding. Nevertheless, there is always the possibility that the print may not reach its estimated value. Additionally, auction houses charge fees and commissions that can be as high as 25%, which can substantially reduce your net proceeds, especially for prints. The auction process can also be lengthy and may restrict the number of editions accepted per sale, potentially leading to delays. This approach is less suited for those needing to quickly capitalise on market trends, as the artwork’s value might decline while waiting for the sale.
To learn more, read our guide to Auction v Private Sale in the Art Market.
Selling a Max Ernst Via a Broker
Using a broker can offer a more personalised selling experience. Brokers provide individualised consultations, discussing your artwork and expectations in detail while guiding you through the entire process. They use their deep market expertise to identify the best timing and venues for selling your print. Brokers have extensive networks of buyers and collectors, allowing them to connect you directly with interested parties. Commissions for brokers typically range from 10% to 30% of the final sale price, and an exclusivity agreement is often required. Before choosing a broker, it’s wise to seek recommendations from galleries familiar with Max Ernst’s work.
Selling a Max Ernst Via Online Marketplace
Online platforms like eBay offer an attractive alternative for selling art. These marketplaces usually have lower fees compared to brokers and auction houses but come with fewer regulations. As a seller, you will need to manage logistics, condition verification, and pricing independently. The lack of professional authentication increases the risk of encountering forgeries and scams. Even with proper documentation, inadequate marketing, photography, and promotion can significantly affect the final sale price.
Why Sell Your Max Ernst 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.
Max Ernst 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 Max Ernst 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.
Max Ernst
11 works
