Ascending And Descending © M. C. Escher 1960
Leah Mentzis, Partnerships Managerleah@myartbroker.com
Interested in buying or selling
Maurits Cornelis Escher?
Maurits Cornelis Escher
31 works
Key Takeaways
M.C. Escher's prints demonstrate exceptional market strength, with standard works fetching between £15,000 and £60,000, while rare or significant pieces can exceed £100,000. Reptiles (1943) achieved his record print sale, selling for £460,290 in 2022. Prints featuring metamorphosis themes, impossible constructions, and the intersection of real and surreal elements command the highest prices, with Metamorphosis II achieving £160,000 in 2021. Authentication requires thorough examination of paper type - predominantly Van Gelder - and printing technique, with reference to The Graphic Work of M.C. Escher (1960) and consultation from the M.C. Escher Foundation. Escher's precise signature and edition numbering practices, including his "MCE" monogram, are crucial identifiers. Strategic timing of sales to coincide with major exhibitions and anniversaries can significantly impact returns, as demonstrated by increased market activity following the 50th anniversary of Escher’s death in 2022.
M. C. Escher was first and foremost a printmaker. His mathematically precise explorations of perspective, infinity, and impossible structures are a signature of his work and demonstrate his mastery of form. As a result, his prints, ranging from early landscapes to his famous optical illusions, continue to captivate collectors and maintain strong market presence. This guide will help navigate the intricacies of selling Escher prints, offering insights into valuation, authentication, and market strategy.
Born in the Netherlands in 1898, Escher studied at the School for Architecture and Decorative Arts in Haarlem, where he discovered his passion for graphic arts rather than architecture. After spending over a decade in Italy creating naturalistic landscape prints, he developed his signature style-a blend of mathematical concepts and paradoxical architectural form. Escher's technical mastery of woodcut, lithography, and mezzotint, and his preference for monochrome tones, allowed him to create works of extraordinary complexity and depth. Escher's prints demonstrate a simultaneous meticulous attention to detail and a fantastical disregard for reality.
How Much Do M. C. Escher Prints Sell For?
Escher’s print market includes a mix of impossible constructions and realistic illustrations, where his combination of the real and the surreal drives the highest demand among collectors. Individual prints by Escher typically fetch between £15,000 and £60,000, with particularly iconic works commanding six-figure prices.
Prints that feature Escher’s signature styles are particularly sought after. For example, the incredibly rare woodcut Coast Of Amalfi (1934) was created during a transitional period in Escher’s career when his Italian landscapes were influencing his paradoxical structures. This print depicts the Amalfi Coast as a somewhat paradoxical arrangement of houses, pathways, and stairways. For its distinct reflection of Escher’s creative development, the work sold for £196,754 in 2023 - eight times the high estimate. This significant, and recent sale underscores Escher’s unrelenting popularity and the widening pool of interested collectors.
Another popular theme featured in many of Escher’s best-selling prints is metamorphosis. These prints tend to feature two or more creatures, animals, or shapes forming an interlocking pattern, merging into one another, or changing as a result of that interaction. Metamorphosis II (1939/40), an almost four-metre-long stream of changing objects, animals, and patterns, sold for £160,000 in 2021 - an increase from £115,027 in 2019.
The record sale of an Escher print is held by another metamorphosis example. In 2022, Reptiles (1943) sold for £460,290. Five times over its high estimate, this price underscores the impressive selling results Escher prints have been achieving. Reptiles, featuring a circle of realistic crocodiles climbing in and out of a two-dimensional tessellation pattern, is typical of Escher’s popular real vs. surreal concepts.
Seemingly breaking the mould is Ant (1943), a realistic depiction of an ant. Prints from this edition appear regularly at auction and consistently exceed estimates. In 2022 an edition sold for £163,910, over four times its high estimate of £38,821. The popularity of this piece reflects collector interest in Escher’s key iconography - including ants, amphibians, reptiles, birds, flying insects, and fish. Works featuring unravelling human heads, such as Bond of Union (1956), which sold for over £49,000 twice in 2022, and Rind (1955), which sold for over £42,000 in the same year, are also popular.
Prints from Escher's earlier period, particularly his Italian landscapes from the 1920s and early 1930s, typically sell for £5,000 to £15,000, with prominent examples achieving upwards of £50,000. These works, while less famous than his later mathematical pieces, maintain steady demand among collectors interested in his artistic development. A particularly early etching, Railway Bridge Across The Rhine At Oosterbeek (1917), sold for £65,000 in 2023, while, in 2022, Cathedral of Cefalù, Sicily (1932) sold for £64,701.
Limited edition prints with low numbers tend to command premium prices. Escher typically produced small editions, making authentic prints particularly valuable. Artist proofs, marked with "EA" or "AP," and trail proofs, marked with “TP,” often achieve prices 20-30% higher than regular numbered editions due to their rarity and historical significance. A black-and-white trial proof of Circle Limit III (1959) sold for £138,029 in 2022, a significant increase on the £18,126 sale of a coloured regular edition in 2006.
How Do You Authenticate An M. C. Escher Print?
Authentication begins with thorough provenance research. Documentation of the print's history, including past sales, exhibitions, and ownership transfers provides crucial evidence of legitimacy. Certificates of authenticity, gallery receipts, and exhibition catalogues help establish a clear chain of ownership leading back to Escher's studio.
The complete catalogue of Escher's prints is documented in The Graphic Work of M.C. Escher (first published in 1960), which he helped compile. This resource provides essential details about printed editions, techniques, and dates of creation. Additionally, M.C. Escher: His Life and Complete Graphic Work (1981) by Bool, Kist, Locher, and Wierda serves as an authoritative reference for authentication. The M.C. Escher Foundation, established by the artist himself in 1968, can also consult on prints and artworks.
Physical analysis of the print itself is also valuable. Escher’s woodcuts should show clear, sharp lines and precise registration between different blocks when multiple colours are used. Lithographs should display the characteristic smoothness of stone printing, while his mezzotints exhibit the rich tonal gradations specific to this technique. Each printing method has unique identifying features that experts can verify.
Paper authentication is equally important. Escher predominantly used Van Gelder paper, which is a particular colour and carries specific watermarks and weight characteristics. Some prints from his Italian period used local papers, which experts can identify through historical documentation. The quality and type of paper used should align with known examples from the same period and edition.
Edition And Signature
Escher signed his prints in pencil, typically placing his signature in the lower right margin, accompanied by an abbreviated date and, occasionally, the work’s title. His signature remained fairly consistent throughout his career, featuring curled letters and deliberate underlining. Within the image of the print itself, you can often see Escher’s “MCE” monogram with the original creation date and a set of Roman numerals. Edition numbers appear as fractions in the lower left, preceded by “No.,” with editions ranging from 20 to 100 prints. Artist's proofs, marked "EA" or "AP," and trial proofs, marked “TP,” are particularly valuable for authentication as they often contain printer's notations or unique variations. Escher maintained meticulous records of his editions, making verification of numbering an important aspect of authentication. His early prints sometimes feature additional inscriptions or dedications, which can provide valuable provenance information when verified against historical records.
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Has Your M. C. Escher print Been Kept In Good Condition?
The condition of an Escher print directly impacts its market value and desirability. Escher predominantly used Dutch Van Gelder wove paper, known for its ability to capture fine detail and maintain structural integrity over time. These papers respond particularly well to his meticulous printing techniques but require careful preservation to maintain their quality.
The crisp lines and precise geometric patterns in Escher's prints make any damage particularly noticeable. His woodcuts and lithographs used oil-based inks that generally maintain their density well, though exposure to direct sunlight can cause fading. The intricate black areas should retain their original depth without any sign of lightening or breakdown of the ink.
Examine prints under good lighting to detect any signs of foxing, acid burn, or paper discolouration. Any warping or ink bleed may suggest water damage, often caused by high humidity. Pay special attention to areas where fine lines intersect or create complex patterns, as any breaks in line continuity can significantly diminish value. The paper should maintain its original colour without yellowing, and the margins should be free from handling marks or damage.
For optimal preservation, store prints in acid-free portfolios away from direct sunlight and fluctuating humidity. If framed, use UV-protective glass and acid-free matting. Professional conservation assessment before sale can identify any issues requiring attention and provide guidance on preservation.
For advice on how to get started with condition assessment of your Escher print, contact MyArtBroker.
When Is The Best Time To Sell My M. C. Escher Print?
The market for Escher's prints responds strongly to major museum exhibitions, particularly those exploring the intersection of art and mathematics. The 2022 exhibition Virtual Realities: The Art of M.C. Escher at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, exhibited a range of rarely-seen Escher prints and drawings from the Michael S. Sachs Collection. In the following months, the print market experienced a surge in high-value sales of both favourite and rare Escher prints, particularly in the United States, including the record sale of Reptiles (1943). The 2022 retrospective was held in honour of the 50th anniversary of Escher’s death - a fact that, by itself, can increase scholarly and commercial interest.
The current market shows particular strength for prints featuring Escher's signature impossible constructions and mathematical concepts. Recent exhibitions focusing on Escher's influence on digital art and computer graphics have attracted new collectors to the market, especially for works demonstrating his mastery of perspective and spatial paradox.
The cyclical nature of the art market will also impact sales throughout the year. Spring and autumn tend to have the highest frequency of auctions; however, if you intend to sell via a broker, sales performance is generally more consistent throughout the year. One of the simplest ways to identify patterns in the market is to monitor market reports, like those authored by MyArtBroker, and auction sales results on the websites of major auction houses.
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 right 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.
M. C. Escher 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.
Emerging art tech tools are vital in navigating the current, and evolving, digital art market landscape. By adding Escher prints from our website to the MyPortfolio dashboard, users gain insight into unique sale opportunities and observe market performance and fluctuations as they happen, streamlining the sales process effortlessly. Our pioneering technology has revolutionised art portfolio management, making it more accessible and equipping users with data-driven insights for informed decisions. MyArtBroker harnesses cutting-edge technology driven by data, coupled with a team of industry experts, to deliver an exceptional experience. Our professionals work closely with clients, utilising the MyPortfolio dashboard, to provide personalised guidance for creating a profitable art collection. By merging technology and expertise, we are committed to offering unparalleled curation and customer service.
Leah Mentzis, Partnerships Managerleah@myartbroker.com
Interested in buying or selling
Maurits Cornelis Escher?
Maurits Cornelis Escher
31 works
