Composition I © George Mathieu 1948
Georges Mathieu
10 works
Key Takeaways
Georges Mathieu's prints have seen a significant surge in market interest, with individual works typically achieving between £1,000 and £3,000 at auction. His Air France poster series from 1967 demonstrates particularly strong growth, with incomplete collections now selling for over £2,000, compared to £1,137 for a complete set in 2002. Authentication requires thorough examination of paper quality, printing technique, and provenance, with reference to studio stamps from established French printing houses such as Mourlot. The Comite Georges Mathieu's forthcoming catalogue raisonné will provide additional authentication resources. Mathieu's market shows increasing strength in both European and Asian regions, with nine of his top ten print sales occurring in the past five years. Recent retrospectives, including the 2024 exhibition at the Long Museum West Bund in China, have further stimulated collector interest.
Georges Mathieu imbued his art with explosive energy. His dynamic, gestural approach, which led to the birth of Lyrical Abstraction, and his theatrical public art performances were revolutionary new avenues for abstract art. In his printmaking, he distilled this energy down into a calligraphic style that became his signature, creating lithographs that are rich in movement, spontaneity, and colour. This guide aims to help sellers navigate the market for Mathieu's prints, providing insights into valuation, authentication, and effective selling strategies.
Mathieu's style emerged from his belief in the primacy of gesture and speed in artistic creation. His prints often showcase the same sweeping lines and dramatic compositions that characterised his paintings, though carefully controlled through a meticulous printmaking process. He worked primarily with lithography, collaborating with several prestigious French printing studios throughout his career, to produce editions that maintained the spontaneous feel of his painted works while offering collectors more accessible entry points into his artistic world.
How Much Do Georges Mathieu Prints Sell For?
Georges Mathieu’s distinctive, chaotic, and expressive works have experienced a spike in popularity in recent years. His purely abstract works, in particular the poster series he produced for Air France, are gaining in popularity. Prints now regularly sell for upwards of £1,000.
Mathieu's lithographs from the 1960s, when his style had fully matured, have consistently achieved the strongest sales at auction. An untitled Intaglio print from this era (1960) of a white and red composition on a blue background sold in 2021 for £2,126, and L’Apocalypse Selon Saint Jean (1960) sold in 2023 for £2,149. However, Mathieu’s earlier prints, which demonstrate the emergence of this style, have maintained a consistent value in recent decades. Composition I (1948) from this era, featuring a central nebulous mass of black lines of varying thickness, sold in 2014 for £2,299.
In 1967, Mathieu was commissioned by Air France to create a series of 16 travel posters. These posters are now some of Mathieu’s most sought-after works. The most notable sale of a complete collection of these prints was in 2002 when the full 16 sold together for £1,137. However, the value of these posters has drastically increased since then, and now even incomplete collections achieve impressive results. In June 2024, for example, a collection of 15 of these posters sold at auction in Paris for £2,382, and three years earlier, in 2021, a collection of nine posters sold for £1,890. The popularity of these pieces comes from the unique power of Mathieu’s style to capture and depict the images of recognisable views, places, and objects, and its combination with such a giant of commercialism.
The increase in popularity experienced by Mathieu’s portfolio is best demonstrated by the fact that nine out of the top 10 auction print sales have occurred in the past five years. Mathieu’s work is most popular in the European art market, particularly in France and Belgium. However, his calligraphic style also appeals to Japanese collectors. By tracking trends such as these in the marketplace, we are able to predict how this value and appeal will develop in the future.
How Do You Authenticate a Georges Mathieu Print?
Authentication of any print, particularly from a blue chip artist, is crucial to its valuation. Professional verification and strong provenance can boost a print’s projected value, helping sellers appeal to the right buyers. To establish authenticity, begin with provenance. Ideally, you will have a clear trail of documentation detailing the print’s history of ownership and exhibition. Everything from certificates of authenticity to exhibition catalogues can assist with this. Prominent galleries in Mathieu’s career included Galerie Rive Droite and Studio Paul Facchetti.
Mathieu worked with several established French printing houses, including Mourlot. Each studio maintained specific practices regarding paper selection and printing techniques. Understanding these relationships can help professional appraisers verify the authenticity of prints from different periods of Mathieu's career. The presence of studio stamps or watermarks can provide crucial evidence of authenticity.
While no definitive catalogue raisonné currently exists for Mathieu's prints, the Comite Georges Mathieu is in the process of compiling a catalogue of original works, which will contain valuable information on print editions. In the meantime, several other types of publications can assist in authentication. Gallery catalogues, monographs written by art critics and curators, and authorised archives such as those of Jean-Marie Cusinberche can all provide key reference points.
Edition & Signature
Georges Mathieu's signature appears prominently on his prints, typically in pencil in the lower right corner, often accompanied by the month and year of its creation. Many of his prints also feature additional notes. His signature style remained relatively consistent throughout his career, characterised by bold, flowing letters that echo the gestural quality of his artwork. Edition numbers usually appear in the lower left corner, written as fractions.
Mathieu's print editions varied in size but were typically limited to between 75 and 150 copies. Some print editions, however, such as Composition II (1960) are kept to editions as small as just five prints. These works are incredibly rare and appear for sale very infrequently. Artist's proofs, marked “E.A.” (épreuve d'artiste), are particularly valued by collectors due to their rarity and often feature subtle variations from the standard editions.
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Has Your Georges Mathieu Print Been Kept in Good Condition
Preserving the condition of your Georges Mathieu print will also preserve its value. The age of many Mathieu prints, some dating back to the 1940s, will naturally be reflected in the level of wear visible; however, there are several ways to protect your print, and professional conservators will be able to identify any problematic areas of damage and suggest potential conservation measures.
Mathieu predominantly used high-quality wove papers for his lithographs, particularly favouring papers from French manufacturers such as Arches and Rives. These papers are known for their durability, but they can still be susceptible to environmental damage. Signs of foxing, acid burn, or water damage can significantly impact value.
The artist's precise use of intense, contrasting colours, particularly his signature reds and blacks, makes pigment vibrancy a crucial focus of any condition assessment. Printing inks can be vulnerable to fading if exposed to direct sunlight or harsh artificial light, dampening their effect and the overall appeal of the print. The deep blacks in his gestural marks should retain their richness, while any colour areas should maintain their original vibrancy.
The best way to protect your print from avoidable damage is to store it correctly and only handle it while wearing clean cotton gloves. Prints should be kept in acid-free environments, preferably portfolios stored horizontally, away from fluctuating humidity and temperature. If framed, UV-protective glass and acid-free mounting materials are essential.
For advice on how to get started with condition assessment of your Georges Mathieu print, contact MyArtBroker.
When is the Best Time to Sell My Georges Mathieu Print?
Determining the most profitable time to sell your Georges Mathieu print requires consideration of various market factors and cultural events. The market for his work tends to respond positively to renewed interest in Lyrical Abstraction and the French avant-garde of the 1950s and 1960s.
Recent years have seen increased attention to Mathieu's contribution to abstract art, particularly following major retrospectives in European museums. Strong results have been observed following shows that highlight his influence on both European and Asian art movements. For example, the 2021 Calligraphy Rhapsody Retrospective in Hong Kong, drew attention to Mathieu’s calligraphic influence and his influences. This exhibition fuelled developing interest across the Eastern art market - a trend later mimicked by the 2024 retrospective at the Long Museum in China.
It’s important to also consider the seasonal, cyclical pattern of the art market, particularly if considering an auction sale. Spring and autumn are generally the most active periods, with many major auction events and exhibitions scheduled for these months. However, private sales through brokers can occur successfully year-round, particularly when working with experienced specialists who have networks of established collectors.
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.
Where Can I Sell My Georges Mathieu Print?
Selling a Georges Mathieu Via a Broker
Art brokers specialising in post-war European art can offer a more personalised approach to selling your Mathieu print. These professionals often maintain networks of collectors interested in abstract art and can facilitate private sales with discretion and efficiency. Broker fees typically range from 10% to 20%, generally lower than auction house charges. Working with a broker can be particularly effective for prints that might appeal to specific collectors, such as those focused on Lyrical Abstraction or French post-war art. When selecting a broker, prioritise those with experience handling Mathieu's work and understanding of both European and Asian markets, where his work holds particular appeal.
Selling a Georges Mathieu Via Auction House
Major auction houses regularly include Mathieu's prints in their post-war and contemporary art sales. These venues offer international exposure and the potential for competitive bidding among informed collectors. Auction houses can effectively contextualise Mathieu's work within the broader narrative of European abstract art, potentially attracting serious collectors who understand his historical significance. However, auction sales come with substantial fees due to the extensive costs associated with marketing and the auction events themselves. These fees often reach 25% of the hammer price. There is also no guarantee that a print will achieve its estimate or even sell when the auction date comes around, despite heavy marketing and outreach. Unsuccessful attempts to sell can damage the artist’s reputation and, therefore, impact future value. This is because success at auction can be influenced by factors beyond the seller's control, including the current market climate and the other works offered in the same sale.
To learn more, read our guide to Auction v Private Sale in the Art Market.
Selling a Georges Mathieu Via Online Marketplace
Online platforms have expanded the possibilities for selling art, offering access to a global audience of collectors. These venues can be suitable for more accessible Mathieu prints, potentially enabling faster sales with lower fees than traditional channels. However, selling valuable artworks online presents unique challenges. Without proper marketing and guidance, sellers may be forced to undervalue their print; equally, without the level of authentication provided by auction houses and brokers, online buyers may be more cautious when purchasing high-value works. For significant Mathieu prints, online sales should be approached with caution. If considering this route, choose specialised fine art platforms with robust verification processes and experience handling works by established post-war artists.
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A Dedicated Broker
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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.
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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.
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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.
Georges Mathieu 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.
