Untitled (S. 196) © Donald Judd 1996 
Donald Judd
47 works
Key Takeaways
Donald Judd's prints demonstrate consistent market strength, with complete portfolios regularly achieving six-figure sums. His Untitled (1988) series holds the auction record at £247,481, while individual prints typically fetch between £15,000 and £20,000. Authentication requires thorough examination of paper quality and printing technique, with reference to the Judd Foundation's archives and the 1993 catalogue raisonné. Judd's methodical approach to editioning, typically limiting runs to between 10 and 50 prints, with signatures appearing on the reverse, helps verify authenticity. His use of German Etching and Japanese papers means condition is paramount to value, with geometric precision and colour consistency being crucial factors. Strategic timing of sales, particularly during retrospectives or surge periods in Minimalist art, can significantly influence returns.
Donald Judd redefined art and architecture through his Minimalist focus on form and space. Known for precise geometric sculptures, Judd also created woodcuts and etchings that translate his three-dimensional concepts into two dimensions. This guide offers insights into buying and selling Judd’s prints, covering valuation, authentication, and key market strategies.
The strong market for Judd prints reflects his significant influence on Contemporary art. His prints, often designed in sequences, are regularly sold in sets of two, four, or more for five-figure sums. In the right market, however, individual prints can achieve similar prices.
Judd’s printmaking practice began with his work as an art critic and painter in the 1950s, evolving alongside his sculptural practice. His prints embody a commitment to clarity and precision, featuring bold geometric forms in structured, mathematical sequences that reflect his minimalist philosophy. Collaborating closely with master printers, particularly those at Styria Studio in New York, Judd created prints and editions that capture his principles of simplicity and intentionality, translating the essence of his minimalist philosophy into the two-dimensional space of printmaking.
How Much Do Donald Judd Prints Sell For?
Untitled (1988), a series of ten woodcuts, featuring Judd's signature geometric progressions in red, holds the current auction record for a complete portfolio, selling at Sotheby's New York in 2019 for £247,481. This marked a rise from the previous sale of the same series in 2016, when another complete set, in red, sold for £187,979, demonstrating the increasing value of this collection. Individual prints from this series are rare, but could achieve between £15,000 and £20,000 at public auction. In 2018, a blue Untitled (1988) set sold for £175,000 at Christie’s London. Other popular print series from this period include Untitled (1990), which uses a broader colour palette but employs the same geometric concepts, and in 2022, a set of seven woodcuts sold for £168,773.
A series of etchings from the late 1970s has become synonymous with Judd’s name. Untitled (1977/78), comprising 16 prints featuring three-dimensional rectangular illustrations, sold for £24,000 in 2020. Works from this series, including Untitled (S.108) and Untitled (S.113), demonstrate Judd’s meticulous approach to etching and his ability to convey three-dimensional depth on two-dimensional surfaces.
Judd's earlier prints from the 1960s prints are particularly sought-after, showing the development of the aesthetic principles that would define his career. One example is his print series is Untitled: Five Prints (1961/69), which includes Untitled (S.59). The complete set, comprising five prints in a limited edition of just ten, offers significant collector appeal due to its rarity. This set sold for £75,769 in 2017, underscoring its value in the market.
How Do You Authentic A Donald Judd Print?
Determining the authenticity of your Judd print begins with an examination of its provenance. Any certificates, gallery receipts, correspondence, or exhibition catalogues will aid in proving its legitimacy, but the confirmation of a professional appraiser is also necessary. The Judd Foundation, established to preserve his artistic legacy, serves as an essential resource for authentication queries. While they do not issue certificates of authenticity, their archives contain valuable documentation about Judd's printed editions.
The Judd Foundation is in the process of compiling an up-to-date catalogue raisonné - a comprehensive resource documenting his printed body of work. While this project is ongoing, the 1993 publication Donald Judd, Prints and Works in Editions: A Catalogue Raisonné, edited by Jörg Schellmann and Mariette Josephus Jitta, serves as an essential reference point for all buyers and sellers of Judd’s work.
Judd worked exclusively with specific print studios, each maintaining meticulous records of their collaborations. Studios include Styria Studio and Derrière l'Etoile Studios in New York, where many of his woodcuts and etchings were produced, and kept detailed documentation of paper types, inks, and edition sizes. Publishing houses such as Brooke Alexander Editions, who published Judd’s Untitled (1990) print series, including Untitled (S.196), also maintain records of all published artworks. These records can, and should be, cross-referenced to verify authenticity.
Physical analysis of the print should focus on paper quality and printing technique. Judd often selected heavy-weight German Etching paper, or Japanese papers including Okawara and Tosa Hanga for his woodcuts, chosen for their ability to achieve sharp, clean edges and consistent ink retention. The precision of line and evenly distributed ink application were paramount to Judd, and any variation from his exacting standards might indicate issues with authenticity.
Edition And Signature
Judd's approach to signing and numbering his prints was characteristically methodical. His signature and the print’s edition number usually appear on the back of the print in pencil. Edition sizes varied but were generally small, ranging from 10 to 50 prints, with certain larger editions reaching 150.
Artist's proofs, marked “AP,” and printer’s proofs, marked “PP,” were typically limited to approximately six per edition, adding to their scarcity and making them particularly desirable among collectors. Judd maintained a rigorous oversight of the printing process, often requiring several proofs before approving the final edition. These proofs sometimes show subtle colour or compositional variations, offering a unique glimpse into Judd’s meticulous creative process.
Browse Donald Judd 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 Donald Judd Print Been Kept In Good Condition?
The value of a Judd print is strongly influenced by its condition, with a focus on maintaining the clarity of geometric lines and the consistency of colour. Judd's prints, his woodcuts in particular, rely on absolute clean edges and uniform ink distribution to achieve their intended visual impact. Any deterioration can substantially affect both aesthetic appeal and market value.
The German Etching and Japanese papers Judd preferred are naturally resilient but remain susceptible to environmental damage and wear from external handling. Exposure to direct sunlight can also cause fading and paper deterioration, while fluctuating humidity will lead to warping or foxing. The heavy oil-based inks used in many of Judd’s prints can show signs of cracking if the print has been rolled or improperly handled. Over time, these inks may also develop a slight sheen where the surface has been touched.
In Judd's woodcuts and etchings, the embossed textures produced during printing should stay sharp and well-defined, as any flattening or wear on these raised areas can significantly reduce the print's value. The paper's surface should be free from scratches, abrasions, or indentations, as these “imperfections” disrupt Judd's intentional aesthetic. Professional conservators recommend storing prints flat in acid-free portfolios and handling should only be done wearing clean cotton gloves. If framed, UV-protective glass and acid-free mounting materials are essential to prevent deterioration of the print.
For advice on how to get started with condition assessment of your Donald Judd print, contact MyArtBroker.
When Is The Best Time To Sell My Donald Judd Print?
Judd’s print market is not immune to fluctuations, even for print works in pristine condition. Timing your sale strategically can make the difference between surpassing your high estimate and falling below your low estimate. Thus, carefully analysing market trends, seasonal shifts, and other relevant factors is essential for a successful sales process.
In 2020, MoMA held the first comprehensive retrospective of Judd’s work in the U.S. in over 30 years. Leading up to the exhibition in 2019 and continuing through its staging and beyond into 2021, the market for Judd's work–especially in the U.S.–saw a notable surge in demand. The year 2019 was particularly strong, with record or near-record sales, underscoring how major exhibitions can drive significant collector interest and elevate market performance. Similarly, anniversaries marking milestones in Minimalism or Judd’s career can create ideal selling opportunities. For example, the centenary of his birth in 2028 is likely to attract heightened interest from institutions and collectors alike.
Navigating market trends requires pinpointing periods of heightened interest in Minimalist art, particularly contemporary pieces with architectural and design influences. Collecting patterns for Judd's work often align with surrealist and pop art auction cycles, leading to steady value growth for his prints. This trend reflects an ongoing demand for his work across different art movements and suggests a generally upward trajectory for Judd’s print market.
MyArtBroker provides cutting-edge art tech tools to pinpoint the ideal time to sell your print. Our MyPortfolio collection management system includes an AI-driven value indicator, offering real-time valuations based on both public and private sales data. With this advanced tool, alongside our complimentary valuation services, we help you achieve the maximum possible value by identifying optimal market conditions for your sale.
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.
Donald Judd 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 Donald Judd 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.
Donald Judd
47 works
