Herzdame © Paul Klee 1921
Paul Klee
11 works
Key Takeaways
The market for Paul Klee prints reflects his status as a versatile and much-loved artist. Individual works typically achieve between £10,000 and £20,000. His early etchings from 1903-1905 and Bauhaus-period prints command the highest values, with Weib Und Tier (1903) holding the record at £281,120. Authentication requires reference to a catalogue raisonné or the records of the Paul Klee Foundation in Bern, paying particular attention to his evolving signature styles and edition practices. Print condition is paramount, given Klee's use of delicate papers and experimental ink techniques. The German and Swiss markets consistently achieve the strongest results, with recent exhibitions driving increased collector interest.
Paul Klee ranks among the most influential artists of the 20th century, celebrated for his unique synthesis of various art movements including Expressionism, Cubism, and Surrealism. Though primarily recognised for his paintings and drawings, Klee's printmaking practice, beginning with his earliest etchings in 1903, employed the same experimental mindset, pushing the boundaries of traditional techniques and categorisation. His prints capture the whimsical, dream-like quality of his paintings, often featuring playful figures, musical notations, and geometric patterns that reflect his interest in both natural and abstract forms. For sellers of Klee prints, this guide will aid in the navigation of the secondary art market.
Klee's printmaking flourished during his Bauhaus years, in the 1920s and 1930s, where he had access to sophisticated printing facilities and engaged with other innovative artists. He developed particularly innovative approaches to lithography and intaglio techniques, creating works that maintain the spontaneous quality of his drawings while adding layers of subtle texture and depth. His prints often explore the boundaries between representation and abstraction, incorporating elements from his teaching on visual form with his characteristic wit and imagination.
Throughout his career, Klee produced prints both as independent artworks and as illustrations for publications. His lithographs, etchings, and aquatints from this period demonstrate his masterful understanding of line and tone, while his experimental combinations of techniques created unprecedented visual effects. These works represent some of the most accessible entry points into Klee's artistic world for collectors, offering the same intellectual and visual complexity as his paintings in a more intimate format.
How Much Do Paul Klee Prints Sell For?
The market for Klee's prints reflects his position as a pivotal figure in modern art. His captivating, and sometimes unsettling, imagery has intrigued collectors since his emergence as an artist. In the past ten years, this interest has increased, with print value rising and several new auction records set. Sellers of individual Klee prints can expect to achieve between £10,000 and £20,000, with particularly rare or significant works fetching substantially more.
Two distinct periods in Klee’s career dominate the high end of his print market: the early 1900s and his Bauhaus period (1919-1933). From the former, Weib Und Tier (1903) (which translates to “woman and animal”), currently holds the record for highest-value Klee print sale. This etching sold for £281,120, more than double its estimate, in 2017 in his home of Bern, Switzerland. A year later, in 2018, Zwei Männer, Einander In Höherer Stellung Vermutend, Begegnen Sich (1903) (which translates to “two men, each supposing the other to be of higher rank”) also sold in Bern for £249,296.
Other popular prints from this era feature Klee’s distinctive subversion and rearrangement of the human form, always drawn with striking realism. Unlike Klee’s later works and his colourful original paintings, these prints are imbued with striking critique of bourgeois society. Ein Mann Versinkt Vor Der Krone (1904), featuring a man bowing into darkness before a crown, sold for £90,552 in 2005, and Der Held Mit Dem Flügel (1905) (which translates to “the hero with the wing”) sold for £75,691 in 2001.
One of the most popular prints from Klee’s Bauhaus period is Die Sängerin Der Komischen Oper (1925) (which translates to “the singer in the Komische Opera”). It exists both in black-and-white and as a hand-coloured version, with the latter typically achieving higher prices. In 2022, a hand-coloured edition sold for £122,432 and a black-and-white edition sold for £88,658; again, both sales occurred in Bern. This period in Klee’s career bridges the gap between the social critique of the early 1900s and the combination of geometric abstraction and naturalistic elements that have become so synonymous with the artist’s name.
How Do You Authenticate A Paul Klee Print?
With such variations across Klee’s body of work, getting your print professionally authenticated is a vital step in securing fair value when you come to sell. We recommend seeking the advice and assessment of an appraiser who has experience with Klee’s work. They will typically begin by tracing the print's provenance; for this reason, any documentation you have relating to the print should be carefully preserved. Certificates of authenticity, gallery receipts, and exhibition catalogues can provide crucial evidence of legitimacy. Professional appraisers will also be able to assess the legitimacy of the materials used in your print to determine whether they align with Klee’s known practices.
The Paul Klee Foundation in Bern serves as the primary authority for authentication. Their extensive archives and expertise make them an invaluable resource for verifying prints. The Foundation maintains detailed records of Klee's printmaking techniques and materials, including the specific papers and inks he employed during different periods.
Various catalogue raisonnés exist for Klee’s work. Publications such as Paul Klee: A Retrospective Exhibition, by Will Grohmann and Felix Klee, are reliable sources; however, the nine-volume catalogue compiled by the Bern Museum of Fine Arts features Klee’s own working records of his production, giving deeper insight into the creation of his works and a higher level of authority on authentication.
Edition and Signature
Klee's approach to signing and numbering his prints evolved throughout his career. On many earlier prints, a distinctive “P.K.” monogram can be seen in the lower left corner, while his pencil signature appears on the right. This can be accompanied by an inscription, often detailing the plate number used and the title of the work. In later works, particularly those from his Bauhaus period, his signature appears in cursive in the lower right, accompanied by the date of creation and any additional notes. Edition numbers are generally found in the lower left corner, written as fractions.
Print editions varied considerably in size, from as few as 30 to more than 200 copies. Artist's proofs, marked with "AP" or the German equivalent "EA", are particularly valuable due to their rarity and often feature subtle variations from the standard edition.
Browse Paul Klee 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 Paul Klee Print Been Kept In Good Condition?
The condition of a Klee print significantly influences its market value. Klee frequently used delicate papers, including various Japanese varieties and handmade European stocks, which require careful preservation. His innovative printing techniques, particularly his experiments with different ink consistencies and layering methods, can make his prints susceptible to specific types of deterioration and make their reaction to prolonged exposure to sunlight or high temperatures unpredictable.
You can begin by examining the print for any discolouration, foxing, or acid burn, particularly around the edges. Klee's use of multiple ink layers means that any fading or colour shifts can be especially problematic, potentially disrupting the subtle interplay of tones he achieved. His frequent use of pale colours and fine lines makes his prints particularly vulnerable to light damage.
Look for any surface imperfections such as creases or scratches. Klee often created subtle textures through his printing process, particularly etchings, so distinguishing between intentional effects and damage requires careful examination. The embossing from his intaglio prints should remain crisp and well-defined.
To keep your Klee print in the best condition and secure the highest possible value at sale, store it in an acid-free portfolio, away from direct sunlight and fluctuating humidity. If framed, use UV-protective glass and acid-free matting to prevent deterioration.
For advice on how to get started with condition assessment of your Paul Klee print, contact MyArtBroker.
When Is The Best Time To Sell My Paul Klee Print?
Major exhibitions consistently spark fresh interest in Klee's prints, making exhibition timing a crucial factor in achieving optimal value. Recent retrospectives, including the landmark 2023-25 show at the Zentrum Paul Klee and the 2024 exhibition Psychic Improvisation at the David Zwirner Gallery in New York, have drawn international attention to his printmaking innovations. Exhibitions such as these tend to inspire both new and established collectors, particularly when they illuminate the theories and techniques behind Klee’s deceptively simple imagery.
The traditional spring and autumn auction seasons offer natural windows of opportunity for print sellers, especially when major houses present focused sales of modern or Bauhaus prints. German and Swiss auction houses have, however, proven particularly successful with Klee's work, with sales in Berlin and Bern frequently exceeding estimates. The market showed exceptional strength during the centenary of Klee's Bauhaus appointment in 2021, suggesting that significant anniversaries can create advantageous selling conditions.
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.
Paul Klee 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.
