Karl Lagasse "One Dollar Black" Sculptural Print
QUICK FACTS
Categories
Era
c. 2010s-2020s
Origin
🇫🇷 France
Artist/Maker
Karl Lagasse
Rarity
Uncommon (5/10)
Discovered
Jan 6, 2026
1 months ago
DESCRIPTION
This is a sculptural print by the contemporary French artist Karl Lagasse, titled "One Dollar Black". The work is a stylized, monochromatic representation of the United States one-dollar bill, rendered on a thin, rigid substrate, likely aluminum, which has been formed into a dynamic wavy shape. My eye is immediately drawn to the inversion of the familiar design—a matte black ground with details in silver-grey—a technique that transforms the ubiquitous object into a sleek, modern statement. The signature and edition number, "73/100", are discreetly placed, confirming its status as a limited edition multiple, a common practice in the contemporary print market.
CULTURAL ECHOES
Where This Object Echoes
Directly echoes Andy Warhol's 1962 'Dollar Bill' series, which elevated everyday commercial imagery to the status of fine art.
Shares a visual language with artists like Banksy and Mr. Brainwash, who often appropriate cultural symbols to create satirical or critical commentary.
Ritual & Ceremonial Use
- •This object functions within the ritual of contemporary art collecting, where the acquisition of an artist's signature work signifies cultural capital and investment.
Meaning Through Time
The US Dollar bill was a symbol of national unity and economic stability, a promise backed by the government.
Warhol and his contemporaries re-coded the dollar as a symbol of mass production and the commodification of culture itself.
Artists like Lagasse treat the dollar as a design object and a luxury good, a symbol whose value is now defined by artistic branding rather than federal authority.
HISTORICAL STORY
DID YOU KNOW?
Karl Lagasse began his famous "One Dollar" series in 2009 after a trip to Deauville, creating an immediate sensation in the contemporary art world.
The serial number on many of Lagasse's dollar works, 'I 92754389 F', corresponds to a real Federal Reserve Note from the 1995 series signed by Treasury Secretary Robert E. Rubin.
MATERIAL & CONDITION
Surface
The work has a smooth, matte finish on the black ground, while the printed design elements appear to be a fine screenprint with a slight satin sheen, creating a subtle textural contrast.
Weight & Feel
If made of aluminum, as is typical for this artist, it would feel lightweight yet rigid, surprisingly insubstantial for its visual presence.
Condition
The piece appears to be in excellent, gallery-fresh condition. There are no visible scratches, scuffs, or bending beyond the intentional sculptural form. The print registration is sharp and clean.
RARITY ANALYSIS
Genuine antiques with fewer examples on the market. Named makers, documented provenance, or early production examples.
Typical Characteristics
- Limited production
- Named makers
- Growing collector demand
EXPERT ANALYSIS
Museum-Trained Art Historian
Confidence is high because the object's style, signature, and edition number are all perfectly consistent with the known body of work of the artist Karl Lagasse. The 'One Dollar' is his signature piece, and this example matches published works.
KEY EVIDENCE
- 1The visible signature 'KARL LAGASSE' and edition number '73/100' identify this as a limited edition multiple by a known contemporary artist.
- 2The subject matter, a stylized one-dollar bill, is the artist's most famous and recognizable motif from his 'One Dollar' series.
- 3The specific 'negative' color scheme (black ground, light details) and sculptural wavy form are characteristic of a known variant of this series.
- 4The material appears to be printed aluminum, a common substrate used by Lagasse for these works.
UNCERTAINTIES
- •The certificate of authenticity is not pictured, which is a standard component for verifying works by this artist.
WHAT WOULD IMPROVE CERTAINTY
- →Request a photograph of the Certificate of Authenticity (COA) that should accompany the piece.
- →Look for a publisher's blind stamp or further markings, although they are not always present on these aluminum works.
- →Compare the signature style closely with authenticated examples from the same period.
ESTIMATED VALUE
Updated: Feb 26, 2026
- Market comparables from auctions & retail
- Condition, completeness & craftsmanship
- Current collector demand & trends
- Low = quick sale, high = patient seller
For informational purposes only, not a formal appraisal.
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