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Portrait Prints

The portrait has an important place in Western art traditions, particularly as a part of academic training for European artists, and second only to history subject matter in the hierarchy of genres. From Mannerism to Baroque to Modern, artists created portrait prints to follow the style of the times.

Rembrandt van Rijn is one of the most famous printmakers to have focused on portraiture. He began making etchings in his early career, and his self portrait studies of various facial expressions informed his larger painting practice in the mid-1600s.

Jumping hundreds of years of art history, portraiture remained an important exploration for artists such as Andy Warhol and Lucien Freud. The use of the screen print modality to mass reproduce iconic images was a reflection of the global nature of images in popular culture, allowing Warhol to comment on the obsessive nature of society.

Though very different stylistically, Lucien Freud favored printmaking as a method to create and reproduce portraits that scrutinize and study the expressive nature of the human face.


Quick Facts

  • The 18th- and 19th-century science known as physiognomy, or the idea that facial features are related to personality or character traits, prompted interest in portraiture
  • Frida Kahlo began her artistic training with printmaking. Kahlo's portraits serve as inspiration for many artists interested in exploring the self through self-portraiture
  • Pablo Picasso was a prolific printmaker in etching, drypoints, lithographs, and linoleum relief prints. He applied the principles of collage and cubism to his printmaking and portraiture

Recommended Items at Auction

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REMBRANDT VAN RIJN SELF PORTRAIT WITH SASKIA ETCHING
Mar 16, 9:00 AM MST
REMBRANDT VAN RIJN SELF PORTRAIT WITH SASKIA ETCHING
by Bradford's
Est: $0- $0
$12014 Bids
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YOUSUF KARSH "DUKE AND DUTCHESS OF WINDSOR" GELATIN SILVER PRINT
Mar 16, 9:00 AM MST
YOUSUF KARSH "DUKE AND DUTCHESS OF WINDSOR" GELATIN SILVER PRINT
by Bradford's
Est: $0- $0
$707 Bids
Patrick Nagel (1945-1984): Lori
Feb 19, 10:00 AM PST
Patrick Nagel (1945-1984): Lori
by Abell Auction
Est: $300- $500
$5006 Bids
Marilyn Monroe After Andy Warhol Color Edition Lithograph Sunday B. Morning COA
Feb 22, 12:00 PM EST
Marilyn Monroe After Andy Warhol Color Edition Lithograph Sunday B. Morning COA
by Hess Fine Art
Est: $400- $800
$705 Bids
Mucha, Folio - Illustration of Woman with Flowers. 1
Feb 22, 9:00 AM CST
Mucha, Folio - Illustration of Woman with Flowers. 1
by Trillium Antique Prints & Rare Books
Est: $1,500- $2,500
$2305 Bids
Raul Caracoza (B. 1980): Young Frida
Feb 19, 10:00 AM PST
Raul Caracoza (B. 1980): Young Frida
by Abell Auction
Est: $800- $1,200
$5504 Bids
Print, Andy Warhol
Feb 20, 10:00 AM PST
Print, Andy Warhol
by Clars Auctions
Est: $8,000- $12,000
$5,0003 Bids
Mary Cassatt(American, 1844-1926) Sara Smiling
Feb 19, 10:00 AM EST
Mary Cassatt(American, 1844-1926) Sara Smiling
by Freeman’s | Hindman
Est: $300- $500
$4503 Bids
Early Madame framed portrait
Feb 24, 6:00 PM EST
Early Madame framed portrait
by Atlee Raber Auctioneer
Est: $0- $0
$102 Bids
Albert Hirschfeld (1903-2003): Jane Fonda
Feb 19, 10:00 AM PST
Albert Hirschfeld (1903-2003): Jane Fonda
by Abell Auction
Est: $300- $500
$1752 Bids
Antonio Bueno “Untitled”
Feb 22, 4:00 PM CET
Antonio Bueno “Untitled”
by Felima Art Casa D'Aste
Est: €100- €200
€102 Bids
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Frank Weston Benson “Portrait of My Daughters” Framed Print
Feb 25, 6:00 PM EST
Frank Weston Benson “Portrait of My Daughters” Framed Print
by Apple Tree Auction Center
Est: $0- $0
$62 Bids
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Group of 2 Mans and Womans Portrait Lithographs
Feb 22, 9:00 AM CST
Group of 2 Mans and Womans Portrait Lithographs
by Matthew Bullock Auctioneers
Est: $30- $300
$202 Bids
LIFETIME PORTRAIT ENGRAVING OF GEORGE WASHINGTON AFTER STUART
Feb 21, 11:00 AM EST
LIFETIME PORTRAIT ENGRAVING OF GEORGE WASHINGTON AFTER STUART
by Thomaston Place Auction Galleries
Est: $400- $600
$3002 Bids
LIFETIME ENGRAVED PORTRAIT OF WASHIGTON FAMILY AFTER SAVAGE
Feb 21, 11:00 AM EST
LIFETIME ENGRAVED PORTRAIT OF WASHIGTON FAMILY AFTER SAVAGE
by Thomaston Place Auction Galleries
Est: $300- $400
$802 Bids
CIRCA 1800 FRENCH ENGRAVED MINIATURE PORTRAIT OF NAPOLEON
Feb 22, 11:00 AM EST
CIRCA 1800 FRENCH ENGRAVED MINIATURE PORTRAIT OF NAPOLEON
by Thomaston Place Auction Galleries
Est: $200- $300
$502 Bids
SCARCE 1801 ENGLISH MEMORIAL PRINT OF WASHINGTON
Feb 22, 11:00 AM EST
SCARCE 1801 ENGLISH MEMORIAL PRINT OF WASHINGTON
by Thomaston Place Auction Galleries
Est: $300- $400
$602 Bids
Contemporary Art Skateboard Decks
Feb 20, 12:00 PM EST
Contemporary Art Skateboard Decks
by Vallot Auctioneers
Est: $300- $500
$602 Bids
AFTER PIETER CORNELIS DOMMERSEN (1834-1908)
Feb 21, 11:00 AM EST
AFTER PIETER CORNELIS DOMMERSEN (1834-1908)
by Thomaston Place Auction Galleries
Est: $300- $400
$501 Bid
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Large Group of Lithograph Pages and More
Feb 22, 9:00 AM CST
Large Group of Lithograph Pages and More
by Matthew Bullock Auctioneers
Est: $30- $300
$151 Bid
Suicide Girls (Contemporary, Collective) after Richard Prince (American, b. 1949)
Feb 20, 12:00 PM EST
Suicide Girls (Contemporary, Collective) after Richard Prince (American, b. 1949)
by Vallot Auctioneers
Est: $50- $150
$501 Bid

Sellers Who Sell Portrait Prints


Robinhood Auctions

Robinhood Auctions

KCM Galleries

KCM Galleries

Absolute Auction

Absolute Auction

Hotel des Ventes De Bruxelles

Hotel des Ventes De Bruxelles