A rare woodcut by German expressionist Ernst Ludwig Kirchner (1880-1938) was the star of Christie's Old Master, Modern & Contemporary Prints auction on March 28.
Englische Steptänzerinnen, produced by Kirchner in 1911, sold for £241,250, comfortably within estimate.
It is one of only five known impressions of the work.
Kirchner, regarded as one of the 20th century's greatest printmakers, was one of the founding members of the art group Die Brücke, formed in Dresden in 1905.
 Kirchner's woodcutting sold for £241,250 |
The group, which later counted Max Pechstein and Otto Mueller among its number, had a major impact on modern art and expressionism in the 20th century.
Printmaking was among the group's favoured practices. Kirchner, in particular, thought that prints were the most expressive and most revealing of all media.
The auction also featured the £109,250 sale of Picasso's Le Repas Frugal etching, which achieved £109,250, more than doubling its £50,000 estimate.
As we approach the 50th anniversary of Picasso's passing, in 2023, we believe interest in the Spanish artist can only rise.
In addition to his artworks, Picasso's autograph is also currently on the up, having risen in value from £1,400 ($2,210) to £3,950 ($6,230) since 2000, at a rate of 9.89% pa.
Paul Fraser Collectibles has a superb Picasso autographed postcard available right now, priced at £3,950 (approx. $6,230).
One of Warhol's famed depictions of Campbell Soup also achieved £109,250 at the auction, while a fine example of the artist's Marilyn Monroe works made £85,250.
