Man On A Plain © Erich Heckel 1914
Erich Heckel
43 works
Key Takeaways
Erich Heckel's prints, especially his early woodcuts from the Die Brücke period, can command high prices at auction, sometimes reaching several hundred thousand pounds. Authenticating Heckel's work involves consulting the catalogue raisonné Erich Heckel: Das graphische Werk by Annemarie and Wolf-Dieter Dube, examining his distinctive signatures and edition numbers, and checking for publisher stamps from renowned ateliers. The condition of the print, including factors like foxing, fading, and proper storage, greatly affects its value. Selling during times of heightened interest, such as major exhibitions or anniversaries, can maximise returns. Heckel’s major exhibitions, like the one at MoMA in 2014 or significant anniversaries such as the 50th anniversary of his death in 2018, have been shown to boost market interest and prices. MyArtBroker offers dedicated brokers, 0% seller fees, and advanced tools like MyPortfolio for real-time valuations, ensuring a secure and optimal sale process for Heckel prints.
Erich Heckel rose to prominence as a founding member of the Die Brücke movement in Dresden. His artistic repertoire spanned a diverse range of subjects, from intimate portraits and nudes to vibrant urban landscapes. This seller's guide aims to navigate you through the intricacies of valuing and selling a Heckel print, ensuring you secure an optimal price for these coveted pieces of art history.
As a pioneering German Expressionist, Heckel’s style is characterised by bold colours and emotive brushwork. His creative process, rooted in spontaneity, often led him to work en plein air, capturing landscapes and figures with swift, energetic strokes. Particularly influential were his woodcuts and lithographs, which often stand in stark contrast to his paintings, with simplified monochromatic forms that epitomise the Expressionist ethos. Heckel's enduring impact on modern art continues to fuel interest in his portfolio, sustaining a robust market for his prints.
How Much Do Erich Heckel Prints Sell For?
Heckel’s printmaking career spanned over six decades. He initially focused on woodcuts depicting figures and landscapes as part of his Die Brücke period (1905-13). By the 1920s, he had turned to the medium of lithography, which allowed for more nuanced tonal variations. As such, he began producing urban scenes and introspective portraits. After World War II, his work became much more restrained. His subjects became quieter, with a greater focus on nature. Despite these clear phases in his printmaking career, Heckel consistently experimented with new techniques, with many etchings, xylographs, and drypoints regularly appearing at auction to this day.
Heckel prints command varying prices in the art market, depending on factors such as rarity, condition, and provenance. His early woodcuts, particularly those from the Die Brücke period, are typically the most sought-after and valuable. Prices can range from a few thousand pounds for later lithographs to several hundred thousand for rare, well-preserved woodcuts. For instance, Heckel's woodcut Two Resting Women (1909) fetched over £300,000 at auction in 2012, 2019, and 2021. In 2021, this was a generous £50,000 above its high estimate, suggesting a comfortable growth in demand. However, mid-range prints from the 1920s and 1930s might sell for £10,000 to £50,000. As a general rule, woodcuts produced between 1909 and 1920 achieve the highest prices. Other examples of popular, high-value prints from this era include Fränzi Lying (1910), its variant Tränzi Lying (1910), and Standing Child (1910).
It is worth noting that the market can fluctuate, and individual pieces may exceed these ranges if they have exceptional historical significance or provenance; equally, concerns about Nazi-era provenance have occasionally affected the saleability of some pieces. Potential sellers should consult current auction results and expert appraisals for the most accurate valuation of specific Heckel prints.
How Do You Authenticate an Erich Heckel
Authenticating an Erich Heckel print requires careful examination and specialist knowledge. Provenance is crucial; tracing the print's ownership history can provide valuable authentication evidence. The definitive reference for verification is Erich Heckel: Das graphische Werk, the catalogue raisonné compiled by Annemarie and Wolf-Dieter Dube. Published in 1974 and expanded in 1991, this comprehensive catalogue documents Heckel's graphic work, providing essential information on techniques, papers, and editions. However, be aware that posthumous prints and potential forgeries exist in the market. For conclusive authentication, it is advisable to consult recognised Heckel experts or reputable auction houses with specific expertise in German Expressionist prints.
Edition and Signature
There are key things to look out for when validating the signature and edition of a Heckel print. Begin by inspecting Heckel's signature, typically found in pencil below the image. The signature's style evolved over time, changing from the bolder marks of his Die Brücke period to more restrained forms in later years. Next, locate the print number, usually written as a fraction, indicating the print's position in the edition. Examine the paper quality and any watermarks, as Heckel often used high-grade materials. For woodcuts, observe the characteristic bold lines and simplified forms typical of his style.
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Has Your Ercih Heckel Print Been Kept in Good Condition?
The condition of a Heckel print significantly impacts its value and desirability in the art market. Assess the print for common signs of damage or deterioration, such as foxing (brown spots caused by chemical reactions in the paper), yellowing, or fading of colours. Check for any tears, creases, or water damage. As with all works on paper, Heckel's prints can be affected by environmental factors over time. His woodcuts from the Die Brücke period often feature bold, high-contrast designs that may withstand wear and light damage better than his later, more delicate lithographs. Examine the margins of the print; intact, full margins are preferable. For coloured prints, ensure the registration is correct, as misalignment can indicate poor-quality reproductions.
The print's mounting and framing history is also crucial; improper mounting can lead to acid burn or other forms of degradation. Ideally, the print should have been stored in a controlled environment, protected from excessive light, humidity, and temperature fluctuations. If conservation work has been carried out, ensure it was done professionally and is reversible. Documenting the print's condition with high-resolution photographs can be valuable for both authentication and potential sale purposes.
If you're unsure about your print's condition, it's wise to consult a professional conservator specialising in works on paper. They can provide a detailed condition report and offer valuable advice on preservation. For advice on how to get started, contact MyArtBroker.
When is the Best Time to Sell My Erich Heckel Print?
The optimal time to sell a Heckel print often coincides with heightened public interest in German Expressionism or Heckel specifically. Major exhibitions can significantly influence market prices. For instance, a 2014 exhibition, German Expressionism: The Graphic Impulse, at MoMA in New York sparked renewed interest in Heckel's prints. Similarly, a 2019 show, Expressionism in Germany and France: From Van Gogh to Kandinsky, at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art boosted visibility for Die Brücke artists. In fact, it was around this time that Two Resting Women (1909) achieved its record price of £342,146 at auction at Christie’s New York.
Anniversaries of key events in Heckel's career can also drive up prices; 2018 marked the 50th anniversary of his death, leading to several commemorative exhibitions and increased market activity. The art market generally experiences seasonal fluctuations, with spring and autumn typically being more active. However, online auctions have somewhat levelled these traditional patterns. 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.
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.
Erich Heckel Collection Management wirh 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 Erich Heckel prints from our website to your 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.
Erich Heckel
43 works
