L’Enfant A La Lampe © Pierre Bonnard 1897
Pierre Bonnard
20 works
Key Takeaways
Pierre Bonnard's Post-Impressionist prints continue to captivate the art market, with individual works typically fetching between £5,000 and £25,000. His most sought-after lithographs, particularly those from the Nabis period, can command even higher prices. La Promenade Des Nourrices, Frise De Fiacres (1899), a quadriptych, achieved a record £229,740 at auction in 1989. Authentication requires careful examination of provenance, printing technique, and reference to catalogues raisonnés by Claude Roger-Marx and Francis Bouvet. Bonnard's experimental use of colour in printmaking means condition assessment is crucial to determining a print's value. Strategic timing of sales, such as during major retrospectives or anniversaries, can optimise returns for sellers.
Pierre Bonnard painted from memory, creating art that was critical to the transition from Impressionism to Modernism in the late 1800s. His work is a unique bridge between the two movements, combining elements of both. In his lithographs and woodcuts, Bonnard captured the Impressionist focus on colour and light, while embracing more modern approaches to composition and subject matter. If you are looking to part with your Bonnard print, use this guide to navigate the market, and gain insight into valuation, authentication, and effective selling strategies.
Bonnard's artistic vision was shaped by his involvement with the Nabis group. His prints often capture the same subjects as his paintings: sun-drenched interiors, lush gardens, and intimate portraits of his wife, Marthe. Bonnard's printmaking practice was characterised by his experimental approach to colour lithography, often using multiple stones to achieve complex, layered hues.
How Much Do Pierre Bonnard Prints Sell For?
Bonnard’s historical and artistic significance is reflected in the sometimes six-figure print sales. Individual prints by Bonnard typically fetch between £5,000 and £25,000, with particular prints regularly achieving double this.
Bonnard's lithographs from the 1890s and early 1900s, particularly those associated with the Nabis movement, are highly prized by collectors. For example, his print La Petite Blanchisseuse (1896) is a regular favourite. In the past few decades, it has appeared multiple times at auction, selling for £72,225 in 1999 (almost double its high estimate), £57,572 in 2011, and £33,391 in 2021. A collection of 13 prints from the same era (1899), Quelques Aspects De La Vie De Paris, depicting various aspects of the city of Paris, sold for £101,300 in 1992. Prints in this collection are some of Bonnard’s most recognisable and typical of his style, including Boulevard, Avenue Du Bois, Au Théâtre, and Coin De Rue (all 1899).
The record price achieved by a collection of Bonnard prints is held by La Promenade Des Nourrices, Frise De Fiacres (1899), a quadriptych comprising four hinged lithograph panels. It sold for £229,740 in 1989, nearly five times its high estimate. Another four panels from the same edition then sold again for £123,426, six times its high estimate, in 2013.
Bonnard is known for his depictions of intimate family or domestic scenes. The softness of his style complements the softness of the ‘home.’ Prints such as L'Enfant à La Lampe (1897) and Maison Dans La Cour (1899) regularly achieve more than £10,000 at auction. A collection of 19 family scenes, rendered in black and white, sold for nearly £20,000 in 1998.
Bonnard's book illustrations also perform well at auction. Complete sets of prints from books can achieve prices in excess of £20,000. In 2010, a complete set of the 158 lithographs for Daphnis et Chloé sold for £26,000 at Christie’s London, underscoring the enduring appeal of Bonnard's work in this medium.
How Do You Authenticate a Pierre Bonnard Print?
When establishing the authenticity of your Bonnard print, you should ensure that there is a clear trail of documentation that explains the origins and subsequent sales and exhibitions of the piece. For instance, when a print is sold at auction, buyers will be able to see what particular collections the piece has been a part of. The print of Le Petite Blanchisseuse (1896) that sold in Paris 1999 was, for example, a part of the collection of art dealer Henri M. Petite. Verified associations with prestigious names such as this will greatly aid in proving legitimacy.
You should also be aware of where the print is placed in any catalogue raisonné of Bonnard’s prints. The catalogue of Bonnard’s lithographs by Claude Roger-Marx and Francis Bouvet’s catalogue of Bonnard’s graphic works would both be valuable resources. Catalogues such as these will provide detailed information on printing techniques, edition sizes, and any variations that exist.
As Bonnard worked with a number of prestigious printers and publishers, including Ambroise Vollard and Auguste Clot, you should also look out for any stamps or certificates of authenticity that have been included at the point of creation. The stamp of Auguste Clot is particularly valuable to knowledgeable collectors of Bonnard’s work, due to his known involvement with the Nabis movement in Paris.
Edition & Signature
All of Pierre Bonnard’s prints bear some sort of signature, often written in cursive, in pencil, in the lower right corner of the margin. This will often be accompanied by the edition number written as a fraction. His earlier Nabis prints, however, sometimes featured his signature as a monogram “PB,” or as “BONNARD,” in capital letters. Prints produced before 1920 do not always bear an edition number, making tracing their place within each edition a little more challenging. Generally, editions are between 25 and 100.
Prints that were originally published in books or portfolios may not be individually signed or numbered. These pieces are more valuable when sold as part of their original collection, as they can be more easily verified as a whole. The presence of publisher’s information is particularly important for the authentication of these prints.
Browse Pierre Bonnard 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 Pierre Bonnard Print Been Kept in Good Condition?
Bonnard's prints are known for their subtle colour harmonies and delicate details, which means that any deterioration could potentially be detrimental to the work's overall impact. Keeping your print in good condition is, therefore, crucial to achieving the best possible sale price. When assessing your print, check for any signs of damage or ageing. Look for discolouration, foxing (brown spots caused by oxidation), or acid burn, particularly around the edges. Bonnard often used high-quality, handmade papers for his prints, including Japanese papers known for their texture and durability. However, even these can be affected by environmental factors over time.
Bonnard is known as one of the most significant colourists of the 20th century; as a result, prints should be particularly protected from fading and colour shift. This is particularly important for his later works, where he pushed the boundaries of colour lithography. Exposure to direct sunlight or improper lighting can cause these vibrant hues to fade over time.
Check for any surface imperfections such as creases, tears, or indentations. Pay special attention to the margins of the print, as these areas are often prone to damage. Untrimmed margins can be a sign of a well-preserved print and can enhance its value.
Proper storage and display are essential for maintaining a Bonnard 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.
It's worth noting that Bonnard's experimental approach to printmaking sometimes resulted in variations within editions. What might appear to be an imperfection could, in some cases, be an intentional part of the artist's process.
For advice on how to get started with condition assessment of your Pierre Bonnard print, contact MyArtBroker.
When is the Best Time to Sell My Pierre Bonnard Print?
Seeking the advice of an expert in Bonnard’s work will be essential to determining the best time to sell your print. They will be able to help you achieve a fair price. However, there are key events and market changes to look out for. Major exhibitions or retrospectives of Bonnard's work are likely to generate increased interest. For example, the comprehensive retrospective at the Tate Modern in 2019, Pierre Bonnard: The Colour of Memory, sparked renewed international attention on Bonnard's work. In the months following this exhibition, several high-profile sales of Bonnard prints occurred, confirming the correlation between major shows and market activity.
Anniversary years related to significant moments in Bonnard's career can also create opportune selling moments. For instance, 2020 marked the 100th anniversary of Bonnard's first solo exhibition in America, an event that significantly boosted his international reputation. Such milestones often prompt increased scholarly and public interest, potentially influencing the market.
We recommend keeping an eye on broader trends in the art market, particularly those related to Post-Impressionism and early Modernism. Surges of interest in these areas can have an effect on the sales performance of individual artists. The best way to keep on top of market trends is by monitoring sales results and value trajectory reports from major auction houses. These are freely available on auction house websites and may provide insights into which periods or techniques of Bonnard's printmaking are currently in highest demand. For instance, if there's a surge of interest in Bonnard's Nabis-period prints, it might be an opportune time to sell works from that era.
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.
Pierre Bonnard 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.
