Les Femmes Au Perroquet © Fernand Leger 1952
Fernand Leger
23 works
Key Takeaways
Fernand Léger's prints remain popular with collectors, demonstrating consistent market strength, with individual works typically fetching between £2,000 and £15,000. Iconic images like Le Vase (1927) have reached £20,000 at auction. Complete portfolios, such as Cirque (1950), have exceeded £14,000. Rare pochoir prints are particularly valuable. Authentication relies on the Saphire and Mourlot catalogue raisonné, verification of printer's stamps, and Léger's condensed cursive signature. Market trends show increased interest following major exhibitions, like the 2017 Centre Pompidou retrospective. Collectors should carefully assess print condition, as deterioration significantly impacts value.
Fernand Léger is a name that has become synonymous with Cubism. His works, boldly fragmented, depicting mechanical, geometric forms marked a pivotal point in 20th century art. Much like his paintings, Léger’s prints are characterised by their striking use of colour, daring perspectives, and dynamic compositions. This guide navigates the market for Léger's prints, offering insights into valuation, authentication, and selling strategies for those looking to part with their prints.
Léger's artistic vision was shaped by his experiences in early 20th century Paris and his fascination with modern urban life and machinery. He drew inspiration from the bustling city, industrial landscapes, and the human figure, translating these subjects into a distinctive visual language that bridged abstraction and representation. This approach is reflected in his printmaking, which encompasses various techniques such as lithography and pochoir.
Throughout his career, Léger collaborated with several prestigious printers and publishers, including Mourlot Frères in Paris, Tériade, Louis Carré, and one of the first critics to champion Cubist art, Daniel-Henry Kahnweiler. These partnerships resulted in some of his most coveted print series, including Le Vase (1927) and Cirque (1950), which showcase his evolving style from the 1920s through to the 1950s.
How Much Do Fernand Léger Prints Sell For?
The playful, almost whimsical, effect of Fernand Léger’s colourful Cubism continues to attract the attention of collectors. Combined with his role as a Cubist pioneer, this keeps Léger as a firm favourite in the art market. Individual prints by Léger typically fetch between £2,000 and £15,000, with particularly well-known images fetching around £20,000.
Léger's lithographs from the 1950s are among his most valuable prints. These vibrant works, rooted in energy and spectacle, resonate strongly with collectors. A complete set of Cirque (1950) lithographs, comprising 65 prints, sold for £14,893 at Artcurial in Paris in 2018, exceeding its pre-sale high estimate. In 1999, however, a similarly complete portfolio sold for £19,740.
The artist's earlier prints, especially those from the 1920s and 1930s that showcase his distinctive 'mechanical' style, also command high prices. The record price achieved by a Léger print at auction is held by Le Vase (1927), one of Léger’s most iconic images. It sold for £20,767 at Swann Galleries, New York, in 2017. Marked as 80 out of an edition of 100, prints with low edition numbers should expect to reach even higher prices.
Léger’s rarest prints may well be his stencils, or ‘pochoir’ prints. These pieces appear less frequently for sale. A pochoir print from La Fin du Monde (1919) achieved £16,776 at auction in 2008. Some of Léger’s lithographs, however, demonstrate ‘pochoir colouring,’ as the coloured elements were added by stencil after the initial print was made - examples of this include Les Illuminations (1949) and L'Enfant À l'Accordéon (1953).
Other popular editions that demonstrate Léger’s whimsical figurative work include Les Femmes Au Perroquet (1952), which sold in 2022 for £20,704, and Les Danseuses (Fond Jaune) (1954), which sold for £20,000 in 2017. Prints such as Les Constructeurs (1951), which sold in 2021 for £9,520 demonstrate the popularity of Léger’s representations of labour and industry.
The value of Léger's prints can be influenced by the performance of his paintings in the market. While direct correlations are rare, significant sales of Léger's canvases can generate increased interest in his printed works, potentially driving up prices across his print portfolio.
How Do You Authenticate A Fernand Léger Print?
Authenticating a Fernand Léger print requires the knowledge of an expert. The first step is to establish the print's provenance. This involves tracing the history of ownership and exhibition. Any documentation, such as certificates of authenticity from the print studio or publishing house, gallery receipts, or correspondence with the artist's estate, can be invaluable in establishing legitimacy.
A professional appraiser will also confirm that the materials used, the ink and the paper, are consistent with Léger's known practices. The printing process itself, whether lithography, pochoir, or another method, should also be consistent with the print’s known method of creation.
The definitive reference for authenticating Léger's prints is the catalogue raisonné compiled by Lawrence Saphire and Fernand Mourlot, published in 1967. This comprehensive catalogue documents all of Léger's known prints, providing detailed information on techniques, editions, and variations. Being able to match your print to a print in this volume will greatly improve buyer trust. Sellers should also check for any printers’ stamps, as these were often left by studios such as Mourlot.
Edition and Signature
Léger's signature typically appears as a condensed, cursive version of his name, written in pencil in the lower right corner of the print. The edition number is usually found in the lower left, written as a fraction (e.g., 23/75).
Léger's print editions varied in size, with some limited to as few as 30 copies, while others reached 300 or more. Artist's proofs, often marked “E.A.” (épreuve d'artiste), are highly sought after by collectors. In some cases, Léger's prints were kept as books, particularly when the work was created to illustrate the work of the likes of Arthur Rimbaud, in which case the edition numbers and signatures are found in less standard positions.
Browse Fernand Léger prints on the Trading Floor and find out more about the print market growth on the MAB100 Print Index.
Looking To Sell Your Fernand Léger Prints?
Request a free and zero obligation valuation with our team without hesitation. Track your prints & editions with MyPortfolio.
Has Your Fernand Léger Print Been Kept In Good Condition?
The condition of a Fernand Léger print plays a crucial role in its market value. Léger's distinctive style, characterised by bold colours and striking compositions, means that any deterioration can significantly impact the work's appeal. When evaluating a Léger print, carefully inspect the paper for signs of ageing or damage, such as discolouration, foxing, or acid burn. Pay particular attention to the vibrancy of the colours, as Léger's prints are known for their intense hues. Lithographs, which form a substantial part of his print oeuvre, are especially susceptible to fading when exposed to light.
Examine the print's surface for imperfections like scratches or abrasions, which can be particularly noticeable in areas of solid colour or fine detail. For pochoir prints, ensure the stencilled colours are crisp and properly aligned. Proper storage in acid-free environments, away from sunlight and humidity fluctuations, is essential for preservation. If framed, use UV-protective glass and acid-free matting. For a comprehensive assessment, consider consulting a specialist in modern print conservation. While minor flaws may be acceptable given the age of some prints, significant damage can substantially reduce their value.
For advice on how to get started with condition assessment of your Fernand Léger print, contact MyArtBroker.
When Is The Best Time To Sell My Fernand Léger Print?
Timing is crucial when selling a Fernand Léger print. The market for his work has seen consistent growth, with notable peaks often coinciding with major exhibitions or renewed scholarly interest. The 2017 Beauty is Everywhere retrospective at the Centre Pompidou in Paris, for instance, sparked a significant uptick in demand for Léger's prints - it was in 2017 that the record price for a Léger print was achieved.
Keep an eye on anniversary years related to Léger's career milestones. The 50th anniversary of his death in 2005 saw a flurry of exhibitions and publications, rekindling interest across his oeuvre. Additionally, broader trends in early 20th-century European modernism can influence Léger's market. Recent years have seen growing appreciation for the intersection of art and social commentary, a theme prevalent in Léger's work, positively impacting prices.
Léger's Cirque series has been particularly sought after, with complete sets fetching premium prices at auction. If a surge of interest in a series such as this can be traced, it could suggest an opportune moment to sell related works. Monitor sales results and market reports from major auction houses to gauge which periods or themes in Léger's printmaking are currently most desirable.
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.
Fernand Léger 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.
