Cat © Karel Appel 1969
Karel Appel
30 works
Key Takeaways
Karel Appel's prints have demonstrated consistent market strength, with collections of works typically fetching up to £20,000. His most iconic works, particularly those from his Circus and Cats series, perform best. Authentication of Appel's prints requires meticulous examination of paper quality, printing technique, and provenance, with reference to records from galleries and publishing houses that worked with the artist, as well as the Karel Appel Foundation. Given Appel's preference for bold colours and varied printing methods, condition assessment is crucial to determining a print's value. Strategic timing, such as selling during major retrospectives or when interest in CoBrA movement art surges, can optimise returns for sellers.
Karel Appel, a founding member of the CoBrA movement, is renowned for his vibrant, expressive style that blends elements of Abstract Expressionism with a raw, childlike energy. Appel's prints often feature his signature use of bold colours, dynamic forms, and spontaneous gestures, making them instantly recognisable and highly sought after by collectors. This guide aims to navigate the market for Appel's prints, offering insights into valuation, authentication, and selling strategies for those looking to part with their pieces.
Appel's artistic vision was shaped by his experiences in post-war Europe and his rejection of traditional artistic conventions. He drew inspiration from children's drawings, folk art, and the expressive power of colour and form. This approach is reflected in his printmaking, which encompasses various techniques such as lithography, etching, and woodcut. Throughout his career, Appel collaborated with numerous printmaking studios and publishers, including Atelier Clot, Bramsen & Co and Galerie Lelong in Paris. These partnerships resulted in some of his most coveted print series, including his Animals and Personages collections.
How Much Do Karel Appel Prints Sell For?
The market for Karel Appel's prints reflects the artist's significant influence on post-war European art and his enduring popularity among collectors. Individual prints from Appel's popular series typically fetch between £500 and £5,000, depending on their significance, size, and edition number. Larger, more complex works or those from particularly desirable series can command even higher prices.
Appel's most sought-after prints often feature his characteristic bold, animalistic forms and vivid colour palettes. For instance, prints from his Cats (1978) series or those depicting abstract figures tend to perform well at auction. A full collection of Cats prints sold for over £6,000 in October 2022. His best-performing prints, however, are volumes of his Circus print series. Complete volumes (I, II, or III), or collections of all three, regularly exceed their auction estimates. In 2016, a portfolio of all three collections sold for £21,529; in 2022, Volume I sold for £16,895, demonstrating the gradual increase in value experienced by Appel’s work. The record price achieved by a collection of Appel’s prints was £26,500 in 1990. What made this particular collection of Circus prints so valuable, however, was the hand-painted wooden box they were stored in. The record price for an individual Appel print at auction is £8,620, achieved by The Appel Circus (10) (1976) in Amsterdam in 1990.
More generally, Appel print owners can expect higher valuations with prints that showcase the artist's connection to the CoBrA movement, known for its vibrant, expressionistic style. These works often embody the movement's emphasis on spontaneity and childlike creativity, which Appel championed throughout his career.
How Do You Authenticate a Karel Appel Print?
Authenticating a Karel Appel print requires a thorough assessment of multiple factors. The process typically begins with examination of the print's provenance. Any documentation that traces the print's history of ownership, such as gallery receipts, certificates of authenticity, or correspondence with the artist's studio, can be invaluable in establishing legitimacy.
Technical analysis is often necessary to complement provenance research. This involves examining the paper quality, ink composition, and printing technique used. Appel worked with various high-quality papers and archival inks throughout his career, and understanding the characteristics of these materials is essential for authentication. The printing process itself, whether lithography, etching, or another method, should be consistent with Appel's known practices for the period in which the print was produced.
While there is no single comprehensive catalogue raisonné for Appel's prints, several important resources exist for authentication. The Karel Appel Foundation, established in 1999, maintains extensive records of the artist's work and can be a valuable resource for verification. Additionally, major galleries and print studios that worked with Appel during his lifetime, such as Atelier Clot, Bramsen & Co in Paris and the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam, often maintain detailed records of editions they produced or exhibited.
Edition & Signature
Karel Appel's approach to signing and numbering his prints was generally consistent, though there can be variations depending on the period and the print studio involved. Typically, Appel signed his prints in white paint or ink towards the bottom of the image. He rarely signed in the margins, instead choosing to sign an area of dark colour within the print itself. His signature is usually bold and distinctive, reading “Appel” and sometimes incorporating the year of creation.
Edition numbers are generally found in the opposite corner to the signature, written as a fraction (e.g., 23/100). Appel's print editions varied in size, but were often relatively small, ranging from 50 to 200. Artist's proofs, typically marked “E.A.” (épreuve d'artiste) or “A.P.”, are highly sought after by collectors.
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Has Your Karel Appel Print Been Kept in Good Condition?
The condition of your Appel print is critical to determining its value and appeal to collectors. Appel's prints are known for their vibrant colours and dynamic compositions, making any deterioration particularly noticeable and potentially detrimental to the work's value.
When assessing the condition of an Appel print, it's important to consider the specific materials and techniques used. Appel often worked with high-quality, acid-free papers that were generally resistant to yellowing and degradation. However, improper storage or exposure to environmental factors can still lead to deterioration over time. Look for any signs of discolouration, foxing (brown spots caused by oxidation), or acid burn, particularly around the edges of the print.
The inks used in Appel's prints, especially in his lithographs and screenprints, were typically vibrant and designed to retain their intensity over time. However, exposure to direct sunlight or harsh artificial light can cause fading or colour shifts. This is particularly crucial for Appel's work, as his use of bold, saturated colours is a defining characteristic of his style. Any noticeable fading or alteration in the colour balance can significantly impact the print's aesthetic appeal and value.
Examine the print for any surface imperfections such as creases, tears, or abrasions. These can be particularly noticeable in areas of solid colour or intricate detail. Use raking light to detect any undulations in the paper that might indicate past water damage or improper storage. Although mint-condition prints will fetch higher prices, the age of many of Appel’s prints means that some wear is to be expected. Collections with soft handling creases and pale offsetting on the reverse of the print have still exceeded estimates.
For a thorough assessment, consider consulting a paper conservator specialising in modern prints. They can provide a detailed condition report and advise on any necessary conservation measures. Remember that significant conservation and restoration work can eventually negatively impact the sale price of your print. For advice on how to get started with condition assessment of your Karel Appel print, contact MyArtBroker.
When is the Best Time to Sell My Karel Appel Print?
To determine the best time to sell your Appel print, consider market trends, cultural events, and developments in the artist's legacy. Appel's market has shown steady growth over the decades, with particular spikes following major retrospectives or renewed interest in the CoBrA movement.
Major exhibitions or retrospectives of Appel's work often generate increased interest and media coverage, potentially driving up demand and prices for his prints. For example, the comprehensive retrospective at the Gemeentemuseum in The Hague in 2016, which marked the centenary of Appel's birth, sparked renewed interest in his work across all mediums, including prints. In the 12 months following, the print market saw a pattern of Appel prints matching or exceeding their high estimates within and beyond the Netherlands.
Anniversary years related to significant moments in Appel's career or in the history of the CoBrA movement can also create opportune selling moments. The 70th anniversary of the founding of CoBrA in 2018, for instance, saw increased attention on artists associated with the movement, including Appel.
Keep an eye on broader trends in the art market, particularly those related to post-war European art or abstract expressionism. Surges of interest in these areas can create a favourable environment for selling Appel's prints. Additionally, any new publications or scholarly works focusing on Appel's career or the CoBrA movement can refocus attention on his market.
It's advisable to monitor sales results and value trajectory reports from major auction houses and galleries. These can provide insights into which series or periods of Appel's work are currently in highest demand. For instance, if there's a surge of interest in Appel's early CoBrA-period prints, it might be an opportune time to sell works from that era; or if prints other than Appel’s Circus prints begin to achieve record prices, it could suggest a shift in collector interest and demand.
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.
Karel Appel 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.
Karel Appel
30 works
