Hundreds of art works including Picassos set to raise £550,000 at auction

The collection of works are from the late celebrated printer and engraver Piero Crommelynck who developed a close association with Picasso which led to him being known as Picasso’s favourite printer. 

Belgian brothers Piero and Aldo Crommelynck worked with some of the great 20th century artists including Joan Miro, Pablo Picasso, Georges Braque, Le Corbusier, David Hockney, Jim Dine, Jasper Johns and Richard Hamilton. They have been consigned by a group of collectors from Europe who wish to remain anonymous.  

A complete set of Picasso’s Le cocu magnifique (1968) leads the collection and is valued at £73,000 ($90,000). Also included in the collection are six colourful aquatints, which are prints made by etching a copper plate, based on Picasso paintings. Among these vibrant works are Le Californie (1959-60) which has an estimate of £6,500 ($8,000) and Verre d’absinthe (1972) with an estimate of £9,700 ($12,000). 

Three rare etchings from Richard Hamilton from 1973 are valued at £48,000 ($60,000). From the early 1960s until Picasso’s death in 1973, the Commelynck brothers were the artist’s printers, Piero establishing a strong bond with Picasso. 

In 1963 the family moved to Mougins in the French riviera to be close to Picasso and assist with his printmaking demands. They set up a small printing press in a former bakery and in the 10 years preceding his death Picasso produced 750 plates. 

Piero is one of the most recurring male figures in Picasso’s work of this last period – appearing in more than 150 images. 

Picasso once noted: “Ah, yes, I engraved my engraver and his entire family!” In the 1990s, Piero opened his own studio and began publishing under his own name, collaborating with contemporary European artists such as Sam Szafran, Pierre Alechinsky and Not Vital. Piero died in 2001, while older brother Aldo passed away in 2008. 

Kelly Troester, worldwide head of co-editions at New York based Phillips auctions who are auctioning off the collection, said: “Their work is absolutely beautiful and unique so we have high hopes for the collection. 

“When Picasso died and a portfolio was made in homage to him, Richard Hamilton requested to work with the Commelynck brothers because they were seen to be the best, and through this association with Hamilton he then worked with David Hockney. 

“Printers were always behind the scenes while you hear so much about artists and publishers. 

“So many printers were just mysterious and magical people that brought artists’ images and ideas to life. Really, they were the conduits. 

“Their specific reasons for consigning are unknown, but they are certainly aware of how well prints are doing in the market and selling these works now will allow them to take advantage of a diverse range of collectors. “They are presenting the collecting world with the truly exciting opportunity to acquire these stunning works, all of which have never been offered for sale until now.”

The auction takes place tomorrow.