Tete De Clown © Bernard Buffet 1955
Leah Mentzis, Partnerships Managerleah@myartbroker.com
Interested in buying or selling
Bernard Buffet?
Bernard Buffet
20 works
Key Takeaways
Bernard Buffet's prints typically fetch £5,000 to £15,000, with sought-after series like Mon Cirque and his Paris scenes achieving over £25,000 for collections. The record for a single print is £86,080 for Circus Dancer in 2012. Authentication requires examining paper quality, printing technique, and provenance, referencing catalogues raisonnés by Garnier and Sorlier. Condition assessment is crucial given Buffet's distinctive style. Strategic timing of sales, such as during major retrospectives, has been proven to optimise returns, but global demand, particularly in Europe, North America, and Asia, contributes to consistent appreciation. Buffet's market demonstrates enduring appeal, with values generally increasing despite some fluctuations in specific series.
Bernard Buffet's distinctive style, characterised by austere, angular figures and stark outlines, made him one of the most recognisable, and contentious, French artists of the 20th century. His prints, much like his paintings, capture the melancholic atmosphere and expressive power that defined his artistic style. For those looking to part with a Buffet print, this guide aims to navigate the market for Buffet's prints, offering insights into valuation, authentication, and selling strategies.
Buffet's artistic journey began in post-war Paris, where he quickly gained recognition for his haunting depictions of the human condition. His printmaking practice included lithography and etching and often featured his signature themes: clowns, still lifes, landscapes, and religious subjects, all rendered with the same stark intensity found in his paintings.
Throughout his career, Buffet collaborated with several prestigious print studios and publishers, including Mourlot in Paris. These partnerships resulted in some of his most coveted print series, showcasing his evolving style from the 1950s through to the 1990s. Buffet's prints not only made his artistic vision more accessible to a broader audience but also allowed him to experiment with the interplay of line and tone in ways that complemented his work in other media.
How Much do Bernard Buffet Prints Sell For?
The market for Bernard Buffet's prints reflects the enduring appeal of his distinctive style and his significance in post-war French art. Individual prints by Buffet typically fetch between £5,000 and £15,000, with collections of prints selling for much more.
Buffet’s most popular prints include his moody depictions of Paris and the circus. A collection of 44 Mon Cirque (1969) prints, including colourful, unsettling portraits of clowns and figurative illustrations of dancers and acrobats, sold for £28,024 in 2012. In 2023, a collection of 23 similar prints sold for £27,199, demonstrating the appreciating popularity of these images, now synonymous with Buffet’s name.
The record price achieved by a single Buffet print at auction is £86,080. Circus Dancer sold in 2012, with an estimate of less than £4,000. The piece, capturing a long-limbed female dancer, poised and ready to perform, is quintessential of Buffet’s style. Artist proofs and low edition numbers are usually responsible for unexpectedly high sales values like this one; but crucially, this print was neither. Instead, it was simply a case of finding the right collector at the right time.
Buffet’s Parisian scenes proved incredibly popular in the 1980s and 1990s, with the Paravent (1967) folding screen achieving £75,000 at auction in 1989. Prints such as Le Sacré-Coeur (1965) and Place Saint-Germain-Des-Prés (1965) appeared frequently at auction, selling as part of pairs or portfolios of Paris prints for upwards of £50,000. In more recent years, complete Paris portfolios have sold for less: a 1962 portfolio sold in 2019 for £19,221, and the Paravent (1967) folding screen sold in 2021 for £19,458. These sales, although smaller in value, do represent a gradually renewed interest in Buffet’s cityscapes, with values beginning to rise after a dip in the early 2000s.
The market for Buffet's prints demonstrates particular interest from collectors in Europe, North America, and increasingly, Asia. This global demand has contributed to the general appreciation of his print works, giving sellers of Buffet prints vast opportunities to find the right buyers.
How Do You Authenticate a Bernard Buffet Print?
Attracting serious collectors requires sellers to authenticate their print and cement its value. The process typically begins with a thorough examination of the print's provenance, tracing its history of ownership and exhibition. Any documentation, such as certificates of authenticity, gallery receipts, or correspondence related to the print, will be invaluable in establishing its legitimacy.
The definitive resource for authenticating Buffet's work is the catalogue raisonné compiled by Maurice Garnier, Buffet's long-time dealer and friend. This comprehensive catalogue documents Buffet's painted works, with information about related prints. The catalogue compiled by Charles Sorlier, as an alternative, focuses specifically on Buffet’s lithographs, providing detailed information on techniques, editions, and variations. Comparing your print to the entries in these catalogues is vital to the authentication process.
Buffet's prints were often produced in collaboration with renowned print studios and publishers. Verifying the involvement of these studios through their stamps or markings can provide additional evidence of authenticity. For example, many of Buffet's Mon Cirque (1968) lithographs were printed by the Mourlot studio in Paris and bear their distinctive stamp.
Technical analysis of the print itself is also crucial. Buffet used high-quality papers for his prints, including Arches and Rives BFK. Understanding the characteristics of these materials and their composition is essential: check for deckled edges, percentage cotton, size and depth of grain, and any watermarks.
For definitive authentication of your Buffet print, consult with a recognised Buffet scholar or reputable art dealer specialising in 20th century French art. These experts can provide in-depth analysis of the print's paper, ink, and technique that goes beyond what meets the eye, and thorough evaluation of provenance, determining its place within Buffet's body of work.
Edition & Signature
Bernard Buffet's approach to signing and numbering his prints was generally consistent throughout his career, but variations exist. His signature, characteristically angular and often incorporating the year of creation, typically appears in pencil in the lower margin of the print. Some prints will feature a signed stamp with a more uniform signature. The edition number is usually found in the lower right, written as a fraction (e.g., 75/150).
Buffet's print editions varied in size, with some limited to as few as 30 copies, while others reached 150 or more. Artist's proofs, often marked “E.A.” (épreuve d'artiste), are highly sought after by collectors and tend to achieve higher sale prices.
To confidently verify the signature and edition number on your Buffet print, we recommend consulting with an expert, as well as the catalogue raisonné of prints. By doing so, you can ensure they both match expectations.
Browse Bernard Buffet 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 Bernard Buffet Print Been Kept in Good Condition?
The more effectively the stark lines, rich colours, and bold contrasts of Buffet’s prints have been preserved, the higher the value you can expect to achieve. Keeping your print in good condition requires ongoing efforts. Ideally, prints should be kept flat, in acid-free portfolios, away from direct sunlight and fluctuating humidity. If framed, always use UV-protective glass and acid-free matting to prevent light damage and acid migration.
Even with careful storage and handling, some damage can occur, particularly during recommended regular inspections or when the print changes hands. You should examine the paper for any signs of damage or ageing. Look for discolouration, foxing, or acid burn, particularly around the edges. Buffet used high-quality, acid-free papers for his prints, including Arches and Rives BFK, known for their durability and texture. These papers, while generally resistant to degradation, can still be affected by environmental factors over time.
Colour retention is particularly important for Buffet's circus prints, due to their vibrant colour palettes built on sharp contrast. These prints, along with much of Buffet’s print portfolio, are lithographs, and the inks used can be susceptible to fading in direct sunlight or harsh artificial light. Keep your lithographs appropriately sheltered.
For Buffet's etchings, which often feature areas of fine details, it's important to check for any loss of definition. The delicate embossing created by the etching process should be intact, as this tactile quality is an integral part of the print's character and is valued by collectors.
Check for any surface imperfections such as creases, scratches, or indentations. Pay special attention to the edges and corners, particularly if deckled, as these areas are most prone to wear. Examine the print under raking light to detect any such issues, as well as any undulations in the paper that might indicate past water damage or improper storage.
For a thorough assessment, consider consulting a paper conservator specialising in 20th century prints. They can provide a detailed condition report and advise on any necessary conservation measures. Remember that while minor imperfections might be acceptable given the age of some prints, significant damage or alterations can substantially decrease value.
For advice on how to get started with condition assessment of your Bernard Buffet print, contact MyArtBroker.
When is the Best Time to Sell My Bernard Buffet Print?
As the market fluctuates, opting to sell your Buffet print at the wrong time can be detrimental to the final sale price. To prevent this from happening, ensure you stay abreast of trends in Buffet’s market, post-war French art, and the art market more broadly.
One of the most significant influences on the print sale market is the schedule of major exhibitions or retrospectives of Buffet's work. The increased attention these events generate can have a hugely positive impact on sales values. For example, the comprehensive retrospective at the Musée d'Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris in 2016 sparked renewed international attention on Buffet's work. An exhibition in 2012 at the Bernard Buffet Museum in Japan sparked a series of high-value print sales across Asia, including the record sale of Circus Dancer. Anniversary years related to significant moments in Buffet's career can also create opportune selling moments. For instance, 2028 will mark the centenary of Buffet's birth, which is likely to spark renewed interest in his work across all media, including prints.
We recommend using the sales results and value trajectory reports freely available on auction house websites to track the performance of Buffet prints. These can provide insights into which series or periods of Buffet's printmaking are currently in highest demand. For instance, if there's a surge of interest in prints of Buffet's clowns, it might be an opportune time to sell works from that theme.
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.
Ways to Sell with MyArtBroker
At MyArtBroker, our specialists provide a free market valuation for your artwork, offering a level of transparency unmatched in today’s market. In addition to our valuations, through our online Trading Floor, you can access real-time insights into works by the artist you’re looking to sell, including pieces that are most in demand, wanted, or currently for sale: allowing sellers to trust the valuation that they are provided.
Additionally, the MyPortfolio collection management service grants you free access to our comprehensive print market database. This resource allows you to review auction histories for the specific work you’re looking to sell, including hammer prices, values paid, and seller returns. In a fluctuating market, this historical data is invaluable - and often comes at a cost elsewhere - offering insights into past and current values to further inform decisions based on market timing and conditions. In addition to our specialists guidance, you have concrete data.
Our approach is tailored to align with the unique attributes of each artwork, and offer optimal results:
How a Private Sale Works
Unlike peer-to-peer platforms, which lack specialised expertise, authenticity guarantees, and legal infrastructure for high-value sales, MyArtBroker operates through private sales ensuring a secure and seamless transaction process. We charge sellers 0% to sell, and take a small commission from our buyers, absorbing essential aspects including insurance, shipping, and marketing - at no extra cost to the seller. There is no magic to it, we’re a lean specialised business with less overheads than traditional models meaning we can do better for our clients.
Our revenue is derived from buyer commissions only, which are individually negotiated upon offer, and we aim to give the client the best return in the market place. By focusing on high-value artworks in excess of £10,000, we provide specialised care and expertise, ensuring each piece receives the attention it deserves, while simultaneously maximising returns with our clients. For works that fall below this threshold speak to the team about a recommendation, we offer market advisory free of charge. Our goal at MyArtBroker is to offer a seamless solution, setting us apart in the art market.
Advisory and Recommendations
In cases for artists and artworks, where our existing network of collectors isn’t the best fit due to value, medium or condition we collaborate with reputable partners to facilitate its sale. Carefully tailoring your artwork to the right party. This tailored approach is especially important as it considers the unique attributes of each artwork, providing sellers with the best possible outcome in today’s shifting art market. You can discuss this approach with us without charge as part of our advisory service.
Such recommendations are on a case-by-case basis, and ensures broader exposure and takes advantage of our knowledge of where a work will do best.
Bernard Buffet 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.
Leah Mentzis, Partnerships Managerleah@myartbroker.com
Interested in buying or selling
Bernard Buffet?
Bernard Buffet
20 works
