Question 1

How do I identify an original Atelier Mourlot lithograph?

Accepted Answer

Genuine prints typically feature the 'Mourlot Imp.' or 'Lithographie par Mourlot' stamp in the lower margin or on the reverse. Collectors should verify the paper type, as the studio almost exclusively utilized Arches, Rives BFK, or Japon nacre paper for their mid-century editions.

Question 2

What is the market value of Mourlot prints?

Accepted Answer

While small posters may sell for 500 USD, limited edition proofs signed by the artist can exceed 100,000 USD. For example, a rare Picasso 'Bacchanale' lithograph printed at the studio reached a price of 163,800 USD at a New York auction in 2021.

Question 3

What is the history of the Mourlot studio in Paris?

Accepted Answer

The studio transitioned from commercial wallpaper printing to artistic lithography in 1914 after Fernand Mourlot took over operations. Throughout the 1950s, the facility on Rue de Chabrol became the primary production site for the posters of the Réunion des Musées Nationaux.

Question 4

Is there a difference between a Mourlot poster and a lithograph?

Accepted Answer

A 'Mourlot poster' is typically an offset or lithographic reproduction of an exhibition design, while a 'lithograph' is a hand-pulled print from a stone or zinc plate. The latter is printed in smaller, numbered editions, such as 50 or 75, and holds significantly higher secondary market value.

Question 5

Does the location of the Mourlot workshop affect value?

Accepted Answer

Collectors differentiate between the original Paris studio and the New York branch opened in 1967. Prints from the New York location often feature collaborations with American Pop artists like Roy Lichtenstein and James Rosenquist, reflecting a shift toward contemporary aesthetics.

ATELIER MOURLOT

QUICK FACTS

Kees van Dongen (Dutch, 1877-1968) - 'Marcelle Leoni', Color Lithograph, 1959

Femme à la Fenêtre (Woman at the Window), after Pablo Picasso

Print runs that mechanized the School of Paris

Femme à la Fenêtre (Woman at the Window)

Frequently asked questions

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