Specialist’s Top Picks from Prints and Multiples

Our Prints & Multiples auction on 26 June at Bonhams Cornette de Saint Cyr in Brussels is an eclectic sale that reflects the diversity of the Belgian collecting scene, combining prints by Belgian, British, American and European artists.

Here, Valentine Naslin, Head of Prints and Multiples in Brussels, picks her favourite lots going under the hammer.

Lot 141
Keith Haring
Untitled

From the mid-1980s, Keith Haring began to use his art to raise awareness of the AIDS crisis, which was at the time little-known. Of the nine dancing figures in Untitled, five are marked with a cross – symbolising the burden, struggles and challenges that individuals face in their lives, as well as the spreading of pain caused by AIDS. This colourful and recognisable print captures a pivotal moment in Haring’s career and life – he would be diagnosed with AIDS himself in 1987.

Haring strongly believed that “art is for everybody” and his practice contributed to establishing prints and multiples as a serious and collectible medium. Today, he is one of the most highly recognised Pop Art artists and his prints continue to be highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts worldwide.

Lot 140
Damien Hirst
'Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD)' 2000

This inkjet print by Damien Hirst is characteristic of his long-standing exploration of pharmaceuticals and medicine. Named after a chemical, the colourful, methodically arranged dots, – identically sized and shaped – creates a visually striking composition. Like many of his other works, Hirst is questioning the boundaries between art and science.

Hirst emerged as a prominent figure in the Young British Artists (YBAs) scene in the 1990s. He has always challenged traditional notions of art, consistently pushing the boundaries of what is considered acceptable. Owning a Hirst artwork can often spark intellectual and philosophical conversations about life, death, consumerism and the nature of art itself – as well as being an artwork to enjoy looking at – I find this thought very satisfying.

Lot 139
Invader
'Invasion Kit 1: Albinos'

If you live in a big city, you’ve likely come across one of these friendly-looking monsters – who have adorned walls, buildings and public spaces since the 1990s. Inspired by the 8-bit video game Space Invaders, each mosaic tile represents a pixel. It adds a unique texture and visual appeal to the work, blending the digital aesthetic of video games with traditional craft techniques. This Invasion Kit is made up of 63 tiles, still sealed in its original cover with a special signing from the artist, which makes it unique.

I often think that art is the barometers of our times – and Invader’s mosaics are a perfect icon of how digital technologies are the heartbeat of our world. Owning an Invader artwork is to live in the times. The anonymous street artist still garners significant attention with both collectors and the general public, stating “the game is not over”. Let’s be a part of it.

Lot 79
Lucio Fontana
'Pyramides', circa 1967

The market for prints and multiples tends to follow an artist’s fine art market, and this editioned sculpture by Lucio Fontana – an artist obsessed with space exploration – is a very good example.

Fontana created a series of pyramidal sculptures in the late 1960s. Their dimensions were many meters high, creating an immersive experience where viewers could physically engage with the interior space. The Pyramides are still celebrated for their innovative approach today, and the larger versions can be found in museums in Milan, Madrid and New York, to name just a few. This edition is smaller than a unique Pyramides sculpture – an ‘artist proof’ signed by the artist – which you can enjoy in your own home.

Lot 16
James Ensor
La mort coquette (d’après), 1922

There are a few standout names in modern Belgian art, and James Ensor is one of them. A painter and printer, he is known for his innovative – and often provocative – works, which are considered a precursor to Expressionism for their expressive vibrant colours. He is also famous for his exploration of death and macabre themes.

In La mort coquette, the skeleton – symbolising death – is portrayed in a coquettish manner, with a feathered hat and a fan, giving a sense of irony and dark humour. The original work is a significant piece within Ensor’s career, showcasing his ability to merge macabre elements with social satire. Our print is enhanced with colour and therefore unique, making it a very special opportunity to collect a work by a major Belgian artist.