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.
Browse Georges Mathieu 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 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.
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.
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.
