To The Builders 9 © Gunther Forg 2002
Gunther Forg
35 works
Key Takeaways
Gunther Förg, a key figure in Neo-Expressionism, created prints that bridged various artistic mediums. His work, influenced by Modernist architecture and colour theory, often features grid-like compositions and bold experiments with colour. Förg's prints typically sell for £1,000 to £5,000, with collections fetching higher prices. The record sale for a Förg print collection was set by Linien I in 2021, selling for £17,861. Authentication requires thorough provenance research and expert evaluation, with reference to records held by Hauser & Wirth. Colour retention is crucial to condition assessment, making proper storage and handling essential. Sales should be timed with major exhibitions or anniversaries to maximise returns.
Gunther Förg emerged in the 1970s as a key figure in the Neo-Expressionist movement. His work challenged traditional notions of abstraction, incorporating elements of architecture, photography, and sculpture into his printmaking practice. In this way, he bridged the gap between different artistic mediums. As a revolutionary artist across many fields, Förg’s prints continue to be highly sought-after. This guide aims to provide sellers with valuable insights into the market for Förg's prints, offering essential information on valuation, authentication, and effective selling strategies.
Förg's printmaking practice, which spans lithography, etching, and screen printing, often revisits and reinterprets themes from his paintings and photographs. His approach to printmaking was deeply influenced by his interest in modernist and Bauhaus architecture and his exploration of colour theory. His grid-like compositions, reminiscent of windows or architectural facades, became a recurring motif in his prints. These structures often serve as a framework for his experiments with colour relationships and spatial perception, creating works that engage the viewer on both visual and conceptual levels.
How Much Do Gunther Forg Prints Sell For?
he market for Förg's prints has shown steady growth since his passing in 2013, reflecting a growing appreciation for his unique contribution to contemporary art. Collectors are drawn to the way his prints encapsulate the essence of his larger artistic practice, offering a more accessible entry point into his work while maintaining the conceptual rigour and visual impact of his paintings and sculptures.
Individual Förg prints often sell for between £1,000 and £5,000, with collections of prints fetching higher prices. His abstract compositions, particularly those featuring his signature grid patterns or colour field experiments, are the most popular among collectors. His lithographs, etchings, and woodcuts from the 1980s and 1990s have seen steady appreciation in value. For example, in 2019, a collection of 16 aquatint prints titled Linien I (1988) sold at auction for £10,041. Two years later, in 2021, another collection of Linien I prints sold at auction in Sweden for £17,861, significantly exceeding its estimate and setting a new record for Förg print sale value.
Before the 2021 record sale of Linien I, the top spot was taken by an untitled collection of five prints on metal sheets and wooden panels from 1999 that perfectly exemplified Förg’s mastery of colour theory. Their deceptively simple geometric, two-tone compositions are deeply textured and undeniably emotive. In the same year, 1999, Förg produced his Leaves series of prints that follow a similar compositional pattern - each with two dominant colours, one of which is arranged as a thin vertical stripe. The Leaves series has appeared several times at auction in recent years, selling for £7,400 in 2019 and £6,329 in 2021.
Förg’s Sujet series (1985) is demonstrative of his architectural influences, depicting three-dimensional spaces within the two-dimensional confines of their coloured backgrounds. A full set of these etchings have previously sold for between £3,000 and £4,000. Similarly, his To The Builders series (1999-2002), is also highly sought-after as another example of Förg’s architectural interest.
As with almost all blue chip artists, limited edition prints with low run numbers command premium prices. A print numbered 1/100 is considered more valuable and unique than those later in the series. Förg's monotype prints, which blur the line between print and painting, can achieve even higher prices due to their singularity.
How Do You Authenticate A Gunther Forg Print?
Authenticating your Gunther Förg print requires a thorough approach, combining provenance research, technical analysis, and expert evaluation. Begin by tracing the print's history of ownership and exhibition via any relevant documentation. Any certificates of authenticity, gallery receipts, exhibition catalogues, or correspondence related to the print can be invaluable in establishing its legitimacy.
Förg's prints often bear distinctive studio stamps or markings from the print workshops he collaborated with. Different studios and publishers will also have favoured particular types of paper. Förg’s Leaves series, for example, was printed by Editions Schellmann on rag paper. Familiarising yourself with these nuances of manufacture can provide crucial evidence of authenticity.
The Estate of Gunther Förg is now represented by Hauser & Wirth, who are compiling an ongoing catalogue raisonné for Förg's original works and prints. Consulting with the Estate and its records is essential for authentication and ensuring buyer confidence. Various printed catalogue raisonnés exist, but none are as comprehensive as the Estate’s records.
Edition and Signature
Gunther Förg typically signed and numbered his prints in pencil, usually on the front of the print in the lower margin. His signature is generally compact and cursive, often accompanied by the year of creation. Förg's print editions varied in size, with some limited to as few as 12 copies, while others reached 100 or more.
Edition numbers are typically found on the lower left, written as a fraction (e.g., 15/50). Artist's proofs, often marked “A.P.” or “E.A.” (épreuve d'artiste), are highly sought after by collectors and can command higher prices than the standard numbered editions.
For some of his more experimental prints, particularly monotypes, Förg occasionally used alternative marking methods. These might include stamps or inscriptions on the reverse of the print, adding an extra layer of authenticity to these unique pieces.
Browse Gunther Förg 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 Gunther Forg Print Been Kept In Good Condition?
The value of your Förg print is partly determined by its condition; prints in mint condition will achieve the best sale prices. Any deterioration that impacts Förg's bold, textured colours and precise geometric forms will be detrimental to the work's overall impact and value. The first step in assessing the condition of your print is examining the paper for any signs of damage or ageing. Look for discolouration, foxing, or acid burn, particularly around the edges. Förg used high-quality, acid-free papers for his prints, including fine German and Japanese papers known for their durability and texture. However, even these can be affected by environmental factors over time. Colour retention is also key; any fading or colour shift can be detrimental to the areas of solid colour and subtle tonal gradients that are quintessential of Förg's work. Inks used in screenprinting and lithography can be especially susceptible to fading if exposed to direct sunlight or harsh artificial light over extended periods.
Check for any surface imperfections such as creases, scratches, abrasions, or undulations in the paper that might indicate past water damage or improper storage. Use a diffused or raking light to see these details more clearly. Proper storage and display are essential for maintaining a Förg print in good condition. Ideally, prints should be kept in acid-free portfolios, away from direct sunlight and fluctuating humidity. If framed, UV-protective glass and acid-free matting are recommended to prevent light damage and acid migration.
For a thorough assessment, consider consulting a paper conservator specialising in contemporary prints. They can provide a detailed condition report and advise on any necessary conservation measures. While minor imperfections might be acceptable given the age of some prints, significant damage or alterations can substantially decrease value.
For advice on how to get started with condition assessment of your Gunther Förg print, contact MyArtBroker.
When Is The Best Time To Sell My Gunther Forg Print?
Optimising the timing of the sale of your Gunther Förg print requires careful consideration of market trends and external factors. The contemporary art market can be cyclical, with periods of heightened interest in certain artists or movements. Monitoring these trends can help you identify the optimal moment to sell your Förg print.
Major exhibitions or retrospectives of Förg's work are often significant drivers of interest in the secondary print market. When the artist’s work is on display in a new or significant location, it naturally receives more attention and interest, which is reflected in an increased demand from collectors. For example, the comprehensive retrospective at the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam in 2018, titled A Fragile Beauty, resulted in a surge of new interest in Förg's work, particularly in his home country of Germany. In the months following this exhibition, several high-profile sales of Förg prints occurred, including a £6,232 sale of an untitled print from 2001 - one of Förg’s top ten highest-value print sales.
Anniversary years related to significant moments in Förg's career can also create opportune selling moments. For instance, 2022 marked the 70th anniversary of Förg's birth, prompting increased scholarly and public interest in his work. Such milestones often influence the market positively.
Keep an eye on broader trends in the art market, particularly those related to German Neo-Expressionism and abstract art. Surges of interest in these areas can create a favourable environment for selling Förg's prints. We recommend monitoring sales results and value trajectory reports from major auction houses and galleries. These can provide insights into which series or periods of Förg's printmaking are currently in demand. For instance, if there's a surge of interest in Förg's architectural-inspired prints from the 1990s, it might be an opportune time to sell works from that period.
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.
Gunther Forg 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.
Gunther Forg
35 works
