A Seller’s Guide to Giorgio De Chirico
Interno Metafisico © Giorgio De Chirico 1970
Giorgio De Chirico
23 works
Key Takeaways
Giorgio De Chirico's prints demonstrate consistent market strength, with individual works typically achieving between £3,000 and £10,000, while complete print sets can reach £15,000. His Metamorphoses series (1929) exemplifies this value pattern, with sets selling for over £15,000. Authentication requires thorough examination of documentation and reference to the Maretti Editore catalogue raisonné, with support from the Fondazione Giorgio e Isa de Chirico in Rome particularly valuable for later works. Edition sizes typically range from 50 to 100 prints, with special editions as low as 25. De Chirico's signature style remained notably consistent throughout his career, assisting with swift authentication. The Italian market shows particular strength, though international demand has grown steadily, with strong results in London and New York. Print values tend to surge following major exhibitions and significant painting sales, making timing crucial for optimal returns.
Giorgio De Chirico founded the Metaphysical art movement alongside Carlo Carrà and Giorgio Morandi. He transformed ordinary urban scenes into dreamlike theatrical stages, populating deserted piazzas with classical statues, mysterious shadows, and mannequin figures that would influence generations of Surrealist artists. His prints capture these characteristic haunting visions, offering collectors access to his unique metaphysical world through carefully crafted editions. This guide provides essential information for sellers navigating the market for De Chirico's prints, offering insights into valuation, authentication, and effective selling strategies.
De Chirico approached printmaking with the same philosophical depth that informed his paintings. His printmaking career spanned five decades, with his earliest works from the 1920s establishing his reputation in the European print market, while his later editions from the 1960s and 1970s reflect a renewed interest in his metaphysical themes - making both these periods particularly significant for collectors.
How Much Do Giorgio De Chirico Prints Sell For?
The market for De Chirico's prints reflects his position as a foundational figure in Surrealism and Metaphysical Art. Individual prints typically achieve between £3,000 and £10,000, with sets of prints achieving up to £15,000 in recent years. His most valuable prints often feature his iconic metaphysical explorations of human existence.
Prints from the late 1920s and early 1930s, when De Chirico's style was fully matured, tend to achieve the strongest results at auction. His most consistently popular print set is Metamorphoses (1929). In 2001, a full set of six lithographs sold for £15,724, and in 2005, another set sold for £13,550. This series, with its sketchy details, faceless men, and exposed inner workings of the human body is a quintessential example of De Chirico’s artistic style, which helps to drive its popularity.
One of the most sought-after collections of prints by De Chirico is the set he produced to accompany Guillaume Apollinaire’s Calligrammes (1930). In 2017, a full set of prints, alongside the text itself, sold for £15,089. De Chirico’s associations with Apollinaire also resulted in Portrait de Guillaume Apollinaire (1917), a woodcut print that sold in 2018 for £10,866. Apollinaire’s Calligrammes was not the only text De Chirico illustrated with his prints. Two other storytelling print sets, pertaining to classical themes and mythology, also prove popular at auction. Mythologie (1934), a set of 10 prints to accompany the text of Jean Cocteau, and L’Apocalisse (1941), a set of 20 lithographs to accompany De Chirico’s own written work, with an introduction by Massimo Bontempelli. The former features detailed line drawings of well-known religious and mythological stories, the latter reflects the feeling of impending apocalypse that followed World War II. Both have sold multiple times for over £8,000 in the past two decades.
The record for the highest value sale of an individual De Chirico print, however, is held by one of De Chirico’s much later prints. Il Riposo Dell'Archeologo (1972), from an edition of only 30 lithographs, sold for £16,072 as recently as July 2024, after receiving an estimate of just over £1,000 - proving that discovering the right buyer is key to realising the true value of your print. Other prints in this style include Interno Metafisico (1970), an edition of which sold for £1,741 in 2022, and Cavalli In Riva All'Egeo (1970), which sold for £1,625 in the same year. These works demonstrate the colourful, almost whimsical style of De Chirico’s late period.
These patterns in De Chirico's print market suggest that both early and late works maintain strong appeal, though for different reasons. While his earlier prints demonstrate the emergence of his influential metaphysical style, his later works often achieve surprising values due to their smaller editions and the artist's return to his most compelling themes, making both periods profitable for sellers.
How Do You Authenticate A Giorgio De Chirico Print?
Authentication of your De Chirico begins with looking at any and all documentation related to the piece. It’s possible to establish the print's provenance through certificates of authenticity, gallery receipts, and exhibition records. The Fondazione Giorgio e Isa de Chirico in Rome maintains extensive archives and can provide valuable authentication support, particularly when it comes to examining the physical characteristics of the print to ensure they align with De Chirico’s known practices.
De Chirico worked with several prestigious printing studios, particularly in Paris and Rome, each leaving distinctive marks or stamps that aid in verification. These collaborations were documented meticulously, providing crucial reference points for authentication. Publishers are particularly easy to identify and verify in the case of texts such as Calligrammes, Mythologie, and L’Apocalisse. Editions of bound copies printed on different dates may be in existence, printed by the likes of Edizioni della Chimera, Gallimard, Mercure de France, and Carlo E. Bestetti, but all should bear an edition number.
The catalogue raisonné of De Chirico's works, published across multiple volumes by Maretti Editore, is considered the most definitive resource for authentication. The volumes detail the artist’s entire output, from paintings to prints. The catalogue does, however, only go up to 1975; so, for works created in the few years following this date, before De Chirico’s death in 1978, we recommend consulting with the Fondazione Giorgio e Isa de Chirico.
Edition and Signature
De Chirico's signature typically appears in pencil in the lower margin of his prints, usually accompanied by the edition number on the left. In the centre of the lower margin, you will often find the handwritten title of the print. His signature maintained a consistent style throughout his career, characterised by flowing cursive letters. Edition sizes varied but were generally kept between 50 and 100 prints, with some special editions limited to as few as 25 and some larger editions of bound books extended to over 500. Artist's proofs, marked “EA”, are particularly valued by collectors and often feature subtle variations from the standard editions.
Browse Giorgio De Chirico 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 Giorgio De Chirico Print Been Kept In Good Condition?
The condition of a De Chirico print significantly influences its market value. His prints often feature precise details that can be compromised by poor handling or environmental conditions. De Chirico primarily used high-quality wove papers for his lithographs and etchings, including papers from renowned French and Italian manufacturers, such as Arches and Fabriano. While these materials are generally stable, they remain susceptible to damage from light exposure and humidity fluctuations.
When assessing condition, examine the paper for any signs of foxing, acid burn, or water damage, particularly around the edges and corners. De Chirico's printing inks, especially in his lithographs, can be vulnerable to fading if exposed to direct sunlight or harsh artificial light. The deep blacks and subtle grey tones that characterise many of his architectural scenes should retain their original intensity.
For prints featuring multiple colours, check for any registration issues or colour shifts. De Chirico's later lithographs often incorporated several colours, and maintaining the precise relationship between these elements is crucial to preserving the print's aesthetic impact. The paper surface should be free from scratches or abrasions that could interrupt the careful balance of light and shadow in his compositions.
Proper storage is essential for maintaining condition. Prints should be kept in acid-free environments, preferably in flat portfolios away from direct light and varying humidity levels. If framed, UV-protective glass and acid-free mounting materials are crucial to prevent degradation.
For advice on how to get started with condition assessment of your Giorgio De Chirico print, contact MyArtBroker.
When Is The Best Time To Sell My Giorgio De Chirico Print?
The market for De Chirico's prints responds strongly to major exhibitions and renewed scholarly interest in Metaphysical Art. Major retrospectives often generate increased attention and, by extension, value appreciation. The comprehensive exhibition at the Musée d’Art Moderne de la ville de Paris in 2009 sparked renewed interest in De Chirico's work, particularly on the French market - it was in 2009 that the original oil painting Il Ritornante (1918) sold for over £8million in Paris. Similarly, the Tournabuoni exhibition in 2018 in Florence sparked new interest on the Italian market.
Traditionally, the Italian market shows particular strength for De Chirico's work, with significant sales often occurring in Milan and Rome. However, international demand has grown steadily, with strong results in recent years achieved in London and New York, particularly during themed sales focusing on Surrealism and Modern Italian art.
Recent years have seen increasing appreciation for De Chirico's influence on Surrealism and contemporary art, contributing to steady market growth. Sales of his paintings can impact print values, particularly when record prices generate broader market interest. The record sale of Il Pomeriggio Di Arianna (1913) in 2020, for example, may be responsible for the increase in high-value sales in recent years. The timing of a sale should consider these factors alongside seasonal market patterns, with autumn typically being the strongest period for Modern European prints.
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.
Giorgio De Chirico 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.
