Leonard Joel is the only Australian auction house to present biannual auctions and live viewings dedicated exclusively to Prints & Multiples, and is the acknowledged leader in the Australian auction industry for important editioned prints.
Since joining Leonard Joel in 2019 as the Prints & Multiples Specialist, I have had the privilege of curating and handling significant prints by leading Australian and international artists. Reflecting on my time in this role, I would like to share a selection of works that have left a lasting impression on me over the past six years.
2019
A standout work that continues to resonate with me is Appalling Moment (Wig) 1995 by New Zealand-born artist Brent Harris. Renowned for his ability to fuse the playful with the grotesque, Harris creates imagery that is simultaneously strange and disarming, yet laced with a wry, often unsettling sense of humour. Developed during a formative residency in Paris in the early 1990s, the Appalling Moment series introduced recurring motifs such as eye-like portals, phallic trunks and surreal, abstracted bodies that would come to define this period of his practice. Appalling Moment (Wig) was among the first works to mark this new direction, produced in an edition of 20 using enamel on stainless steel.
2020
Amid strong local and international bidding, we achieved what was then the global auction record for Keith Haring’s Silence = Death 1989. Created in the last year of his life, this print is one of his most powerful and important screenprints. Bold and immediate, it distils Haring’s graphic style into a searing political message and produced at a time when the AIDS epidemic was being met with widespread silence. The central pink triangle, once a symbol of persecution, is reimagined as a call to action, surrounded by Haring’s iconic figures radiating urgency and resistance. Silence = Death remains a landmark in both contemporary art and the history of activism.
2021
2021 became the ‘Year of Banksy’, with his record prices not only being set but repeatedly surpassed, as auction results captured headlines worldwide. Artprice reports that total sales across auctions that year alone exceeded $260 million AUD. One standout example is Jack and Jill (Police Kids) 2005, which was originally purchased from Leonard Joel in 2013 for just $3,170 (IBP). A story I particularly enjoy when consigning artwork is that of a collector acquiring a piece for the love of art, rather than as a financial investment, which was certainly the case with this work. What began as a passionate purchase ultimately proved to be a clever investment, with the print selling for $112,500 (IBP).
2022
One of my personal favourite artists, Jessie Traill was a pioneering figure who helped shape the trajectory of Australian printmaking in the 20th century. Widely regarded as one of the most important printmakers of the inter-war period, her work is celebrated for its distinctive blend of lyrical natural subjects and bold industrial imagery, demonstrating both technical mastery and a uniquely poetic vision. Charing Cross Bridge 1907 was one of her first examples using the forceful and dramatic effects of chiaroscuro, leading her to a wider focus of industrial scenes. Achieving a result of over four times the low-end estimate, she was one of the most influential female printmakers of her time.
2023
A highlight of our 2023 auctions was Lucian Freud’s Girl Holding Her Foot 1985, which achieved nearly double its low-end estimate after competitive bidding from both local and international collectors. With a strong result the work was acquired by a local buyer, underscoring the strength of the Australian market for significant international editions. While Freud’s paintings are rare and command formidable prices, his etchings offer a more accessible entry point for avid collectors. Girl Holding Her Foot exemplifies Freud’s unique approach to printmaking, treating the copper plate like a canvas and working directly from life to capture the unfiltered presence of his sitters.
2024
When John Brack’s Third Daughter 1954 appeared on the market for the first time, it sparked a frenzy of bidding across in-room, absentee, telephone and online platforms. Created in 1954 as part of a series of four etchings, each portraying one of his daughters, Third Daughter stands out for its emotional immediacy. The girl’s square stance, clenched fists and determined scowl capture a fleeting childhood mood with remarkable clarity. Both humourous and tender, the work reflects Brack’s ability to distil personal moments into powerful and universal images, marking an early and important moment in his exploration of printmaking. (Illustrated on the previous page)
2025
We presented our first Prints & Multiples auction of 2025 in April, and it is difficult for me to select just one highlight as each work is still prominent in my mind and special in their own way. The sale included a selection of Eric Thake Christmas cards from 1950 to 1975, works from the Estate of Murray Griffin, linocuts by Marguerite Mahood and Adelaide Perry, along with portfolios by international artists such as Victor Pasmore and Patrick Heron.
Looking back over the past six years, it’s been a privilege to witness the growing appreciation for editioned prints in the Australian market. From early Australian masters to contemporary international icons, each auction has highlighted the diversity and depth of printmaking as a collecting category. As interest continues to build across generations of collectors, it has been rewarding to share these moments with collectors and to see prints embraced not just as accessible works, but as meaningful additions to thoughtful and evolving collections.
By Hannah Ryan, Senior Art Specialist & Manager of Specialty Auctions
Top Image: John Brack (1920-1999) Third Daughter 1954 (detail), etching, ed. 8/11. Sold for $13,750 IBP
May 2025