Concetto Spaziale © Lucio Fontana 1959
Leah Mentzis, Partnerships Managerleah@myartbroker.com
Interested in buying or selling
Lucio Fontana?
Lucio Fontana
18 works
Key Takeaways
Lucio Fontana's prints, embodying his revolutionary Spatialist concepts, have captivated the art market with their unique blend of two-dimensional form and three-dimensional illusion. Individual works typically fetch between £3,000 and £15,000, while his coveted Concetto Spaziale and Teatrini series can achieve over £50,000 at auction. A set of six Teatrini (1968) prints holds the record at £54,160. Authentication requires expert examination and reference to Crispolti and Barbero's catalogue raisonnés. Fontana's use of perforations, cuts, and embossing, means condition is paramount in valuation. Sellers can maximise their returns by strategically timing their sales with major retrospectives or anniversaries significant to Fontana.
Lucio Fontana revolutionised the art world with his groundbreaking Spatialist concepts, which he applied not only to his paintings and sculptures but also to his printmaking practice. Fontana's prints often feature his signature slashes and perforations, translating his three-dimensional explorations into the realm of two-dimensional works on paper. This guide delves into the intricacies of the Fontana print market, equipping sellers with crucial knowledge on determining worth, verifying authenticity, and implementing effective sales approaches to maximise returns on their prized Fontana pieces.
Fontana's artistic vision was shaped by his desire to break through the traditional boundaries of art. His 1947 Manifesto Blanco sought to synthesise colour, sound, space, movement, and time into a new form of art. Unlike many artists who viewed printmaking as a means of reproducing images, Fontana saw it as an opportunity to further explore his spatial concepts. He often manipulated the printed surface through punctures, cuts, and embossing, creating works that bridged the gap between print and sculpture. His prints are not mere reproductions, but unique artworks - a fact that continues to contribute to their enduring value and collectibility. Even those prints derived from photographs of his original works have a unique three-dimensional quality. Partnerships with renowned printing houses in his native Italy led to some of his most coveted print series, including the Concetto Spaziale (Spatial Concept) and Teatrini (Little Theatres) collections.
How Much Do Lucio Fontana Prints Sell For?
Fontana’s prints defy usual classification; some are manipulated by cutting and slashing after the colour is printed, and in others, shadows and highlights that would normally be deliberately avoided when reproducing an artwork as a print, have been purposefully retained and exaggerated to give the effect of a “cut out.” Although many unperforated prints are on a flat plane with only one block colour, the arrangement of shapes and use of negative space suggests three-dimensionality. This clever interplay between the print's flat surface and the illusion of depth results in a striking effect; the work is both two-dimensional and three-dimensional. The viewer is drawn into a perceptual conundrum that has fascinated viewers and collectors since the works’ creation.
Individual prints from Fontana's popular series typically fetch between £3,000 and £15,000, depending on their significance, condition, and rarity. Fontana's Concetto Spaziale (1961) series, which often incorporates his iconic perforations or cuts, tends to achieve some of the highest prices at auction. A single print of Concetto Spaziale (1965), with five vertical rows of perforations in a layered painted oval, sold for £38,319 at Christie’s in Italy in June 2024, achieving nearly £10,000 more than its high estimate. In 2018, a single print of Concetto Spaziale (Blue Rhodoid) (1967) sold for £18,000, an incredible six times its high estimate.
The record price achieved by a collection of Fontana prints, however, is held by a set of six Teatrini (1968) prints. They sold for £54,160 in Milan in 2006, achieving over £20,000 more than their high estimate. Fontana’s Teatrini prints consistently perform well at auction. The series explores spatial concepts through layered cut-outs. The shadows cast by each layer in the original pieces are preserved in their print equivalent, creating depth and three-dimensionality even on the flat print surface. In June 2006, another full set of six Teatrini prints sold for £48,000, nearly £20,000 above its high estimate; and, in May 2007, another set sold for £47,887, again nearly £20,000 above its high estimate. Individual prints from this series can still be expected to achieve as much as £20,000.
How Do You Authenticate A Lucio Fontana Print?
Prints that have undergone proper authentication are more attractive to collectors and investors. The process of establishing authenticity requires a combination of provenance research, technical analysis, and expert evaluation. You can begin by appraising all documentation you have relating to the history of ownership and exhibition of your print. Certificates of authenticity, gallery receipts, or correspondence with the artist or his studio, will be invaluable.
You should consult an expert on Fontana’s prints to establish whether the characteristics of your print are in line with Fontana’s practices for the period in which the print was produced. Lithographs, screenprints, and etchings will all be linked to particular print editions, printing studios, and printing materials.
Two invaluable resources for authenticating Fontana prints are the comprehensive catalogue raisonnés edited by art critic Enrico Crispolti and exhibition curator Luca Massimo Barbero. Crispolti's volume documents approximately 4,000 works, while Barbero's more extensive catalogue covers around 5,500 pieces. Both catalogues span Fontana's prolific career from 1928 to 1968, offering a thorough record of his artistic output, and providing detailed information on each work, including prints, which can help determine authenticity and provenance.
Stamps, signatures, and certificates from the many printing studios and publishing houses that Fontana worked with, such as Prent 190 in Utrecht and Mourlot Editions in Paris, are some of the most valuable indicators of authenticity.
Edition and Signature
Lucio Fontana's approach to signing and numbering his prints was fairly broad. His method changed depending on the print edition. Prints with a white background can often be found with a cursive signature in pencil in the lower right corner that reads “L. Fontana,” and the edition number written as a fraction in the lower left. Other pieces with colourful backgrounds may feature a stamp on the reverse of the print - this often reads “Lithographie de Fontana,” followed by the plate number in parentheses. Variations in signature and numbering will also be influenced by the printing house that produced the print: editions printed by Mourlot Editions in Paris, for example, feature the stamp.
Fontana's print editions varied in size, with some limited to as few as 50 copies, while others reached 190 or more. Artist's proofs, often marked 'P.A.' (prova d'artista), are highly sought after by collectors. In some cases, particularly with etchings, Fontana marked prints with “Pezzo unico,” meaning “unique piece.” While these pieces are still technically prints, they are the only ones of their kind, due either to perforations made after printing or because no other prints were made using the same design.
Browse Lucio Fontana 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 Lucio Fontana Print Been Kept In Good Condition?
Fontana's prints are unique in that the intentional physical interventions, such as cuts and perforations, that many of them bear, present specific conservation challenges. In the others, their deceptively three-dimensional quality means that any damage or discolouration can dramatically impact the final effect, and therefore value.
We recommend consulting with a professional appraiser to determine the condition of your print and its impact on the price. However, you can begin by examining the paper for any signs of damage or ageing. Look for discolouration, foxing (brown spots caused by oxidation), or acid burn, particularly around the edges. As Fontana worked with renowned print studios, his prints were produced on high-quality, acid-free papers, and should therefore be generally resistant to degradation. However, improper storage can still lead to deterioration over time. Wear is expected on the left side of Fontana prints more than any other side, due to the artist’s particular process.
For prints featuring cuts, perforations, or embossing, the integrity of these elements will directly impact the price. Cuts and tears should be as clean and precise as they were once intended, without signs of further tearing, softening, or fraying. These features are, in a way, the most valuable part of the artwork and should never be "repaired" or altered. Embossed detail should still be three-dimensional, without any flattening or scratches.
Fontana's bold use of colour means that any fading or colour shift can be particularly detrimental to the work's appeal and value. This is especially important for screenprints, which make up a significant portion of Fontana's print portfolio, as screenprinting inks can be susceptible to fading if exposed to direct sunlight or harsh artificial light over extended periods.
Maintaining the condition of your print requires proper storage or display. Ideally, prints should be kept in acid-free, flat portfolios, away from direct sunlight and fluctuating humidity. If framed, UV-protective glass and acid-free matting are essential for preventing light damage and acid migration. For prints with cuts or perforations, ensure that the framing allows for some space between the print surface and the glazing to prevent any pressure on these delicate elements.
Due to the unique nature of Fontana's work, some degree of change over time (for example, the effect of gravity on perforations displayed vertically) may be considered part of the artwork's natural evolution. However, this should be distinguished from damage or deterioration that compromises the artist's original intent.
For advice on how to get started with condition assessment of your Lucio Fontana print, contact MyArtBroker.
When Is The Best Time To Sell My Lucio Fontana Print?
Various factors can influence the market for Fontana prints. We recommend tracking the popularity of certain editions, styles, and periods of Fontana’s work by staying up-to-date with exhibitions, auction sales, new publications, and market trajectory reports - for these, consult the websites of esteemed auction houses, such as Christie’s and Sotheby’s. Any surges in sales can signify that it is a good time to sell. High or record sales of original works are often reflected by increased activity on the print market - a pattern that was seen in 2013, 2016, and again in 2022 after £multi-million auction sales.
Major exhibitions or retrospectives of Fontana's work often generate increased interest and media coverage, potentially driving up demand and prices for his prints. For example, the comprehensive retrospective Lucio Fontana: On the Threshold at the Met Breuer in New York in 2019 sparked renewed international attention on Fontana's work, resulting in a handful of high-value print sales in the following year. Exhibitions such as this are often held on important anniversary dates, which, in themselves, can be motivators for collectors. 2019, for example, was the 120th anniversary of Fontana’s birth.
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.
Lucio Fontana 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.
Leah Mentzis, Partnerships Managerleah@myartbroker.com
Interested in buying or selling
Lucio Fontana?
Lucio Fontana
18 works
