Christie’s is bringing to London 31 Picasso prints for auction, with estimates ranging from £354,100 to £515,000 for the entire lot. The works are already on display at the London headquarters of the auction house until 23 September, as part of the “Prints & Multiples” sale, and cover decades of graphic experimentation by the Spanish artist, from the linocuts of the 1950s to the more experimental techniques of the following decade.
Key points
- Christie’s is auctioning 31 prints by Pablo Picasso in London, with total estimates between £354,100 and £515,000.
- Among the most anticipated pieces are three rare portraits of his wife Jacqueline Roque, whose death falls this October, 40 years on.
- Estimates vary according to date of creation, technique, condition, rarity and number of existing copies.
- In 2025 Christie’s totaled 70 million dollars in global print sales, including Old Master prints.
Christie’s in London prepares the auction of 31 Picasso prints
The sale brings together works that illustrate different phases of Picasso’s career, from the linocut breakthrough of the 1950s to his more mature techniques. For lovers of fine art prints, this Picasso art print at auction represents one of the most substantial opportunities of the year on the London market, not so much for the total value — modest if compared to an evening sale of paintings — as for the quality and rarity of certain pieces.
Three rare portraits of Jacqueline Roque
The heart of the sale consists of three images dedicated to Jacqueline Roque, Picasso’s second wife and final partner until the artist’s death in 1973. The first, Profil de Jacqueline au foulard (1955), is estimated between £30,000 and £40,000 (40,500-54,000 dollars): a linocut never officially published, portraying the woman with a headscarf and an almost gaunt expression. Murray Macaulay, head of prints for Christie’s Europe, has described it as “very rare”, recalling that William Rubin of MoMA called it the most penetrating image of Jacqueline ever created. The piece was printed at the Arnéra print shop in Vallauris, France.
The second work, Portrait de Jacqueline I, II, III & IV (1956), estimated between £20,000 and £30,000 (27,000-40,500 dollars), shows the wife’s face on four different blocks. Only three impressions exist, and the work was intended for a book of poems that was never produced. The third, Portrait de Jacqueline accoudée (1959), is considered by Macaulay the most “sophisticated” work of the group: here Picasso applies his reductive technique for the first time, printing the block in black first and then overprinting the white on top, in an experimental process that reveals his ability to work in layers on the same support.
Different phases and varied techniques in Picasso’s artistic journey
The 31 prints are not limited to the period linked to Roque, but span several moments in the artist’s graphic production, bearing witness to the breadth of a body of work that includes painting, sculpture, printmaking and ceramics throughout his creative life.
Overview of the artistic periods represented
The valuation of the Picasso works on sale reflects precisely this chronological variety: each productive phase has its own technical characteristics, and this results in very different estimates from one work to another within the same lot.
Diversity of printing and artistic techniques
Printmaking techniques allowed Picasso to multiply his works without losing the recognizability of his style, lines and compositions. This is why rare Picasso prints remain so sought after by collectors: they make it possible to own an original work by the artist at a more accessible price level than a unique painting, while preserving the full expressive power of his visual language.
Valuation factors and market implications
The auction catalogue shows a clear disparity between the estimates of the 31 pieces: some prints start from relatively modest figures, while the rarest or most historically significant works — such as the three portraits of Jacqueline Roque — rise considerably.
Elements that influence the estimated values
Date of creation, technique used, state of preservation, rarity and number of copies produced are the criteria that determine the valuation of Picasso’s works in this type of sale. Works with documented provenance or extremely limited editions, as in the case of the second portrait of Jacqueline with only three existing impressions, tend to attract more attention and push estimates higher.
The role of the auction as an indicator of European demand
Beyond the value of the individual works, the London sale offers market observers a new barometer of demand for Picasso in European auctions. The final price of each piece remains tied to the actual outcome of the auction: competition between bidders and the level of interest in individual lots can push sales well beyond initial estimates. This is not a minor detail, considering that in 2025 Christie’s recorded 70 million dollars in global print sales, including the record for the most expensive Old Master print ever sold, Rembrandt’s Arnout Tholinx, Inspector (1656), which fetched £3.1 million (4.18 million dollars) on 3 December.
FAQ
How many Picasso prints will Christie’s auction in London?
Christie’s will auction 31 prints by Pablo Picasso, on display in London until 23 September as part of the “Prints & Multiples” sale, with a total estimate between £354,100 and £515,000.
Which factors influence the value estimates of these Picasso prints?
Estimates vary based on the date of creation, the technique used, the state of preservation, the rarity and the number of copies produced for each work.
Why are Picasso prints particularly appreciated by collectors?
The prints preserve the artist’s distinctive style, his lines and compositions, while at the same time allowing the production of multiple copies: this makes them accessible without sacrificing the authenticity of Picasso’s language.
Does this auction reflect broader trends in the Picasso market in Europe?
Yes, the London sale provides a new indicator of demand for Picasso’s works in European auctions, although the final value of each piece will depend on the actual outcome of the bidding between buyers.
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As expert in digital marketing, Amelia began working in the fintech sector in 2014 after writing her thesis on Bitcoin technology. Previously author for several international crypto-related magazines and CMO at Eidoo. She is now the co-founder and editor-in-chief of The Cryptonomist and Econique.
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