Kleine Welten I © Wassily Kandinsky 1922
Wassily Kandinsky
31 works
Key Takeaways
Wassily Kandinsky's prints, embodying his revolutionary abstract style, have captivated the art market, with individual works routinely commanding prices between £5,000 and £30,000. His most sought-after series, Kleine Welten (Small Worlds), can achieve even higher values, with complete portfolios fetching over £150,000 at auction. Rare hand-embellished prints, such as Entwurf Zu Komposition IV (1911), have reached record prices exceeding £500,000. The value of a Kandinsky print is determined first by a process of authentication to establish the print’s provenance, with reference to the existing Kandinsky catalogue raisonnés. Second, condition assessment will establish how well the print has retained Kandinsky’s distinctive bold colours and forms. And third, the timing of every sale must be planned strategically to optimise returns, coinciding with major retrospectives or surges of interest in the abstract art market.
Wassily Kandinsky’s distinctive use of colour and form changed the course of abstract art. His prints, much like his paintings, embody his theories on the spiritual nature of art and the power of non-representational imagery. This guide aims to navigate the market for Kandinsky's prints, offering insights into valuation, authentication, and selling strategies for those looking to part with their pieces.
Kandinsky's artistic journey took him from his native Russia through Germany and France, where he refined his unique abstract style. His printmaking, which included woodcuts, lithographs, and etchings, allowed him to explore his ideas about colour and form in a different medium. These prints not only made his artistic vision more accessible but also gave Kandinsky new ways to experiment with abstract elements, complementing his work in painting.
Throughout his career, Kandinsky produced a significant body of printed work, ranging from early figurative pieces to his later, fully abstract compositions. From his early woodcuts inspired by Russian folk art to his geometric abstractions from the Bauhaus period, Kandinsky's prints provide a fascinating glimpse into the artist's creative process and philosophical approach to art-making.
How Much Do Wassily Kandinsky Prints Sell For?
Kandinsky's status as a foundational figure in abstract art is reflected in the market for his prints. Collector interest is consistently strong, and prints achieve high prices at auction. For individual print, sellers can expect to achieve between £5,000 and £30,000, depending on condition, rarity, and demand.
Prints from Kandinsky's Bauhaus period (1922-1933), such as Kleine Welten (Small Worlds) (1922), are especially prized by collectors because they represent the artist's fully developed abstract style. Complete portfolios of this series, comprising 12 prints using various techniques, have achieved prices exceeding £150,000 at major auctions. A full portfolio of lithographs sold in 1989 for £164,100 and again in 2020 for £150,000. Kleine Welten also comes in woodcut and drypoint form. Individual prints from the series can command prices of over £30,000.
Earlier woodcuts, such as those from Kandinsky's Blue Rider period (1911-1914), while less common on the market, can also achieve substantial prices. These works, which show the artist’s transition from representational to abstract forms, often sell for £15,000 to £25,000 for individual prints. Hugellandschaft (1904) sold for £82,701 in 1997, and Mondaufgang (1904) sold for £63,712 in 2020.
Some very rare Kandinsky prints feature hand-embellishment, making them both a print and an original work - and, therefore, incredibly sought-after. Entwurf Zu Komposition IV (1911), for example, is an etching adorned with watercolour and india ink. It achieved the record price for a Kandinsky print in 2023, when it sold for £560,322.
The market for Kandinsky's prints has shown steady growth over the past decades, with particular interest from collectors in Europe, North America, and increasingly, Asia. This global demand has contributed to the consistent appreciation of his print works.
How Do You Authenticate A Wassily Kandinsky Print?
Kandinsky prints with valid authenticity are more appealing to serious collectors. Therefore, we recommend undergoing thorough authentication before taking your print to market. Begin by establishing your print’s provenance, or history of ownership and exhibition. Any documentation, such as certificates of authenticity, gallery receipts, or correspondence related to the print, can help to paint a picture of the print’s history and trace its origins back to Kandinsky’s hand.
Although a definitive reference for Kandinsky’s prints does not exist, various catalogue raisonnés are available for his oil paintings, drawings, watercolours, and other original works. The detail and information provided in these volumes can assist in authenticating the nuances of your print. Kandinsky: Catalogue Raisonné of the Oil-Paintings, compiled by Hans Konrad Roethel and Jean K. Benjamin, for example, contains valuable information about many of Kandinsky’s most famous works. Comparing your print to the entries in catalogues such as these is an essential step in the authentication process.
Kandinsky's prints were often produced in collaboration with renowned print studios and publishers. Verifying the involvement of these studios through their stamps or markings can provide additional evidence of authenticity. For example, many of Kandinsky's Bauhaus-era prints were published by the Bauhaus workshops and bear their distinctive stamps.
Given the high value and historical significance of Kandinsky's prints, it's advisable to consult with recognised Kandinsky scholars or reputable brokers specialising in modern art for a definitive authentication. These experts can provide in-depth analysis of the print's paper, ink, technique, and provenance, ensuring its place within Kandinsky's collection of work.
Edition and Signature
Kandinsky's approach to signing and numbering his prints varied throughout his career. In his earlier works, particularly those from his Blue Rider period, he often signed in pencil on the lower right of the print. Kandinsky's later prints, particularly those based on paintings from his Bauhaus period, often also feature a monogrammed "K" enclosed in a circle or positioned within an open triangle above the year of creation.
Edition numbers are typically found on the lower left, written as a fraction (e.g., 15/100). Kandinsky's print editions varied in size, with some limited to as few as 30 copies, while others reached 200 or more. Artist's proofs, often marked 'E.A.' (épreuve d'artiste), are highly sought after by collectors.
Browse Wassily Kandinsky 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 Wassily Kandinsky Print Been Kept In Good Condition?
The condition of your Kandinsky print will be a critical factor in determining its value. Kandinsky's prints, known for their vibrant colours and precise geometric forms, require careful preservation to maintain their impact and worth. When assessing the condition of a Kandinsky print, several key factors should be considered.
Firstly, examine 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. Kandinsky often used high-quality, acid-free papers for his prints, including fine Japanese papers known for their durability and texture. These papers, while generally resistant to degradation, can still be affected by environmental factors over time.
Colour retention is particularly important for Kandinsky's prints, given the central role of colour in his artistic theory. His prints are renowned for their bold, saturated hues, so any fading or colour shift can be particularly detrimental. This is especially important for lithographs, which make up a significant portion of Kandinsky's print portfolio. The inks used in lithography can be susceptible to fading if exposed to direct sunlight or harsh artificial light over extended periods.
For Kandinsky's woodcuts, which often feature areas of rich, velvety blacks and fine linear details, it's important to check for any loss of definition. The embossing created by the woodcut process should be intact, as this tactile quality is an integral part of the print's character.
Check for any surface imperfections such as scratches, scuffs, or abrasions. These can be particularly noticeable in areas of solid colour or intricate geometric patterns. Examine the print under raking light to detect any such issues, as well as any undulations in the paper that might indicate past water damage or improper storage.
Proper storage and display are essential for keeping a 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.
For a thorough assessment, consider consulting a paper conservator specialising in early 20th-century prints. They can provide a detailed condition report and advise on any necessary conservation measures. While minor imperfections might be acceptable given the age of some prints, significant damage, restoration, or alterations can substantially decrease value.
For advice on how to get started with condition assessment of your Wassily Kandinsky print, contact MyArtBroker.
When Is The Best Time To Sell My Wassily Kandinsky Print?
The significance of Kandinsky’s work in art history ensures that his work is regularly, if not always, the subject of exhibitions, scholarship, and general discussion around the globe. This means that within individual markets there is always going to be momentum. However, finding the right time to sell your Kandinsky print requires careful assessment of market trends and conditions. Tools such as value trajectory reports on the websites of auction houses (for example, Christie’s and Sotheby’s), can give you insight into the expected rise and fall of Kandinsky print value. Overall, the market for Kandinsky's work has shown steady growth over the past decades, with particular spikes following major retrospectives or renewed interest in abstract art.
Major exhibitions or retrospectives of Kandinsky's work often generate increased interest and media coverage, potentially driving up demand and prices for his prints. For example, the comprehensive retrospective at the Centre Pompidou in Paris in 2014 sparked renewed international attention on Kandinsky's work. Similarly, the 2022 Around The Circle exhibition at the Guggenheim Museum in New York, which focused on Kandinsky's work as spiritual expression, created a surge of interest in his later prints.
Keep an eye on broader trends in the art market, particularly those related to abstract art or early 20th-century modernism. Surges of interest in these areas can create a favourable environment for selling Kandinsky's prints. Additionally, any new publications, scholarly works, or revised catalogue raisonnés can refocus attention on his market.
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.
Wassily Kandinsky 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.
