From Dürer to Hockney: five prints to watch at upcoming auction
10 October 2023 Works on paper, including a selection of 79 prints, feature prominently in an upcoming auction at Dominic Winter.
One of the great Old Master printmakers was Albrecht Dürer (1471-1528). At the Dominic Winter sale the German draughtsman is represented by a ‘slightly later’ copy of the 1504 engraving The Nativity. It is estimated at £700-1000. View the catalogue entry for this Albrecht Dürer print.
Among the works on offer at the sale on October 18 are prints from across the centuries showing how the medium developed but also how the way they encapsulate an artist’s eye and skill remains constant.
Here are five lots from different periods to give you a flavour of what’s on offer.
1. David Hockney portrait
This David Hockney (b.1937) etching and aquatint portrait of fellow artist Richard Hamilton dates from 1971. Signed and dated in pencil, it comes from an edition of 30 (plus 11 artist’s proofs). It is estimated at £3000-500 at the Dominic Winter sale. View the catalogue entry for this David Hockney print.
2. Feline engraving
Cornelis Visscher (c.1628-1658) was a Dutch draftsman and printmaker whose pictures were highly sought after in his day. This small engraving titled The Large Cat dates from c.1657 and is an example of the second (and final) state. The plate size is 5.5 x 7.75in (14 x 20cm). It is estimated at £700-1000 at the Dominic Winter sale. View the catalogue entry for this Cornelis Visscher print.
3. Wyllie’s London view
Although William Lionel Wyllie (1851-1931) specialised in maritime scenes, he also produced some impressive cityscapes. This etching with drypoint titled A Bird’s Eye View of Westminster Bridge and The City is particularly atmospheric. It is pitched at £300-400 at Dominic Winter. View the catalogue entry for this William Lionel Wyllie print.
4. Whistler lithograph
A lithograph of a London street by American artist James Abbot McNeill Whistler (1834-1903) is estimated at £200-300 at the Dominic Winter auction. Dating from June 1878, it was published in Vanity Fair the following month. The image depicts a view from a house in Piccadilly, looking down St James's Street towards St James's Palace. View the catalogue entry for this James Whistler print.
5. Albrecht Dürer’s Nativity
One of the great Old Master printmakers was Albrecht Dürer (1471-1528). At the Dominic Winter sale the German draughtsman is represented by a ‘slightly later’ copy of the 1504 engraving The Nativity. It is estimated at £700-1000. View the catalogue entry for this Albrecht Dürer print.
If you’re new to the sector, you can view our guide on how to start your print collection.
