How to verify a De Kooning print—and avoid fakes when buying online

The catalog raisonné: the only definitive record

Every legitimate De Kooning print is listed in the artist’s catalog raisonné of prints, compiled by the Wildenstein Plattner Institute. This scholarly inventory assigns each work a unique reference number (e.g., DKP 12), records the edition size, and specifies the printer (e.g., Hollander’s Workshop or Universal Limited Art Editions). No print lacking this entry is authentic.

Posthumous prints—those produced after De Kooning’s death in 1997—are not included in the catalog raisonné and are considered reproductions, not original prints. According to Christie’s Prints & Multiples department, the market rejects undocumented “estate-stamped” works unless explicitly authorized by the artist’s foundation during his lifetime.

Before purchasing, cross-reference the print’s title, year, and dimensions with the catalog raisonné. A seller unable to provide this match is either uninformed or dishonest. For example, Clam Digger (1972, DKP 34) exists only as a lithograph in an edition of 50; any “giclée” or “canvas transfer” version is a facsimile.

Edition marks: what they mean and where they appear

Authentic De Kooning prints are hand-signed in pencil and numbered within a limited edition (e.g., 12/50). The signature appears below the image, typically on the right; the edition number on the left. Printer’s chops—small embossed or inked stamps from the workshop—appear near the edge (e.g., “ULAE” for Universal Limited Art Editions).

Beware of prints labeled “after De Kooning” or “in the manner of”—these are reproductions, not originals. The International Fine Print Dealers Association (IFPDA) states that legitimate proofs (e.g., HC for Hors Commerce) are documented in the catalog raisonné and never sold separately from the main edition.

Standard De Kooning print sizes include:

• 30x40 cm (12x16 in) for smaller lithographs (e.g., Two Women, 1952)
• 50x70 cm (20x28 in) for mid-size works (e.g., Untitled III, 1975)
• 76x102 cm (30x40 in) for large-format editions (e.g., The Cat’s Meow, 1986)

Deviations in size by more than 2 cm (0.8 in) indicate a reproduction.

Material and process: giclée is never original

De Kooning’s authentic prints are lithographs, etchings, or screenprints—never inkjet (giclée) reproductions. Original lithographs were printed on Arches or Rives BFK paper (250–310 gsm cotton-rag), with deckled edges and subtle plate marks. The Tate’s Art Terms glossary confirms that giclée is a digital reproduction method, not a fine-art printmaking process.

Key material indicators of authenticity:

• Paper: 100% cotton-rag, acid-free, with a watermark (e.g., “ARCHES FRANCE”). Wood-pulp paper or bright white surfaces signal a reproduction.
• Ink: Oil-based lithographic ink, slightly raised to the touch. Pigment-based inkjet prints lack texture and appear flat under raking light.
• Process marks: Lithographs show faint embossing from the press; screenprints exhibit a uniform ink layer with no dot pattern.

Offset lithographs (e.g., exhibition posters) are not original prints. While some De Kooning posters exist (e.g., MoMA Retrospective, 1968), they were produced in runs of 1,000+ and lack hand-signatures. Artsy’s Art Market reports that offset prints sell for $200–$800; original lithographs start at $15,000.

Certificates of authenticity: what to demand

A valid Certificate of Authenticity (COA) for a De Kooning print must include:

• The catalog raisonné reference number (e.g., DKP 42).
• The printer’s name and chop mark (e.g., “Hollander’s Workshop” with embossed logo).
• A photograph of the print’s verso, showing any workshop annotations or inventory numbers.
• The name and contact details of the issuing authority (e.g., the De Kooning Foundation or a recognized print dealer).

Generic COAs—those lacking specific provenance or printed on letterhead without embossed seals—are meaningless. The Fine Art Trade Guild warns that over 60% of COAs for modern prints are forged or self-issued by sellers. For prints sold at auction, request the lot number and sale date (e.g., Sotheby’s NY, May 2019, Lot 123).

If purchasing from a gallery, verify their IFPDA membership. Reputable dealers like Pace Prints or Gemini G.E.L. provide lifetime authenticity guarantees. Online marketplaces (e.g., 1stDibs, Artsy) require seller verification but do not independently authenticate listings.

Where fakes proliferate—and how to avoid them

Fake De Kooning prints most commonly appear in three contexts:

• Posthumous “estate editions”: Prints stamped with the artist’s signature after 1997. These are unauthorized and valueless. The De Kooning Foundation has never approved posthumous editions.
• Giclée reproductions: Inkjet prints on canvas or paper, often marketed as “museum-quality” or “archival.” No De Kooning giclée exists in any legitimate edition.
• Forged signatures: Pencil signatures on offset lithographs or posters. Compare the signature to verified examples in the catalog raisonné—De Kooning’s autograph is fluid, with a distinctive loop in the “D.”

Price is a reliable indicator. Authentic De Kooning lithographs trade between $15,000–$120,000, depending on size and provenance. Prints priced under $5,000 are either fakes or offset reproductions. The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s print department notes that even damaged originals retain value; pristine “bargains” are invariably counterfeit.

When buying online, insist on:

• A high-resolution image of the print’s verso (showing workshop marks).
• A video call to inspect the paper’s watermark and ink texture.
• A 14-day return window for professional authentication.