A Seller's Guide to Robert Motherwell

Motherwell’s printmaking repertoire includes lithographs, screenprints, and etchings, characterised by his distinct abstract style and philosophical undertones. Their value is determined by the type of print, the rarity on the market, the edition size, and the overall condition. Some of his most in-demand lithograph prints, such as Burning Elegy (1991), have achieved over £40,000 at auction. Editions of his best-selling print, Blue Elegy (1987), have sold for as much as £70,000-£90,000 on multiple occasions in the last 20 years.

Motherwell was initially hesitant about printmaking, but it was the enthusiasm and skill of Universal Limited Art Editions (ULAE) founder Tatyana Grosman that convinced him to broaden his artistic output in the early 1960s. This was a turning point in his career, and resulted in his most famous body of work - the Elegy to the Spanish Republic series, consisting of over 100 works of art. The bold, gestural style of painting Motherwell was known for translated well into the medium of lithography. Motherwell and Grosman was one of the most important artistic partnerships in the history of American printmaking, and helped to establish both the ULAE as a leading print studio and printmaking itself as a legitimate form of art. As a result, the series of works they produced together is always highly sought after.

Some of Motherwell’s other high-price prints include Mediterranean Light (1991), Wave (1989), and The Red And Black (1978-88).

Authentication is essential to establishing the true value of your Motherwell print. Without proper provenance and appraisal, prints are limited in their resale value. Provenance can be traced using validated documents, such as a Certificate of Authenticity or exhibition catalogue. Motherwell’s Catalogue Raisonné contains a record of every work produced by the artist, with photographs, records of quirks and unusual details, and exhibition history before publication, which can assist professionals in authenticating prints and artworks. The most recent edition of this catalogue was published in 2003 by the Dedalus Foundation, and is available online.

Edition and Signature

All of Motherwell’s prints are signed; however, it is important to note that his signature evolved over the course of his career. Earlier prints may feature a full name signature, while later prints have a much more compressed signature or even just his initials. Equally, some prints within editions are numbered in Arabic or Roman numerals and dated, but some are not. Some bear a title, others do not. Motherwell’s method of signing did become more consistent as his career progressed, with more recent prints bearing just a signature in one of the four corners. Prints produced with a publisher, such as Tyler Graphics, will also have a blindstamp.

Some examples of signing quirks in Motherwell’s portfolio include the coloured chop marks and unique stamps of his A La Pintura series. These stamps and marks become part of the artwork itself, as they were often made in contrasting colours to add to the finish of the print as well as aid in proving authenticity. But, as all of these elements can be forged, getting the insight and expertise of someone who knows Motherwell’s work well will be crucial in determining the veracity of the print.

Browse Robert Motherwell prints on the Trading Floor and find out more about the print market growth on the MAB100 Print Index.

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After provenance and authenticity, the condition of a print is the greatest determining factor in establishing its value. Earlier prints that have changed hands multiple times are more likely to show signs of wear and tear. Some damage may be clearly visible, but issues such as fading, glue or tape residue from mounting, or small creases in the paper may be less noticeable. It is important to speak to a professional appraiser or conservator to determine how the damage will affect the sale price.

To preserve your print, ensure it remains out of direct sunlight and away from extreme temperatures and humidity. Keeping your print in a folder on acid-free paper will protect it from dust, sunlight, and moisture; so, when it comes to sell, it will be in optimal condition.

When considering the best time to sell a Motherwell print, it is essential to pay attention to significant anniversaries, major exhibitions, or retrospectives dedicated to his work. These events often generate increased interest and higher demand for his pieces. Periods following high-profile auction sales, where his work fetched record prices, can be ideal times to sell. For example, following Motherwell’s record sale of the original oil painting At Five In The Afternoon (1971) in May 2018, two lithograph prints of Blue Elegy (1987) reached record prices for a Motherwell print within the following 18 months. Collectors are generally more eager to invest in prints when the market is buzzing with activity surrounding an artist’s name. Monitoring auction house results and reading value trajectory reports from Christie’s, Phillips, Bonham’s, and Sotheby’s can provide valuable insights.

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.

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.

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 Jameison, Financial Quant to learn more about our algorithm.

Emerging art tech tools are vital in navigating the current, and evolving, digital art market landscape. For instance, by adding Robert Motherwell 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.