Bert Stern – Serigraph The Last Sitting (1968)

A legendary proof from Avant Garde magazine

This silkscreen print by Bert Stern belongs to the history of the American visual avant-garde of the 1960s. Designed as a proof for issue number 2 of Avant Garde magazine in August 1968, it embodies the typographic and graphic experiments that defined this iconic publication. The work is distinguished by its scale and visual impact, characteristic of Stern's practice during this period.

The unique yellow print testifies to the publishers' experimental approach to the possibilities offered by screen printing as a mass-market medium. This piece crystallizes a key moment in American visual culture, at the convergence of art, graphic design, and avant-garde publishing.

The Work

The silkscreen print *The Last Session*, dated circa 1968, is presented in a monumental format of 58 × 89 cm (22.8 × 35 in). Originally conceived as a proof for the publication of *Avant Garde* magazine, it holds a special status in Bert Stern's oeuvre, beyond its purely editorial function. The yellow composition establishes a distinctive chromatic tone, playing on the vibrant properties of color in silkscreen printing. Signed BS directly in the plate, the work bears the artist's authentic mark. Its use as a printing tool for a prestigious publication underscores the importance Stern placed on integrating artistic creation within ambitious editorial projects.

L'Artiste

Bert Stern (1929–2013) is a major figure in 20th-century American photography and graphic arts. An internationally renowned fashion and advertising photographer, he also distinguished himself through his graphic arts creations and collaborations with avant-garde publications. His syncretic approach, combining photography, screen printing, and graphic design, makes him a key artist in pop and experimental visual culture. Stern's work circulated in the most prestigious American creative circles, from Vogue to more alternative publications like Avant Garde. His value remains stable in the contemporary art market, particularly for works related to iconic editorial projects.

Technical & Publishing

This silkscreen print is a unique edition, a status that reinforces its value as a prototype and trial piece. The silkscreen technique allows for remarkable chromatic intensity, particularly visible in the rendering of the vibrant yellow. The BS signature inscribed directly into the plate guarantees the authenticity of the execution. Its role as a proof for Avant Garde lends it an additional archival dimension: the work served as a technical and visual reference for the magazine's print publication. No certificate of authenticity is mentioned, but the provenance documented by its editorial use constitutes a solid guarantee. The print quality and the preservation of the copy reflect the high production standards of the editorial project.

Conservation state

The work is in perfect condition. Never publicly exhibited, it has benefited from proper storage that has preserved the integrity of the silkscreen. The chromatic surface remains vibrant and without any visible alteration. No defects, creases, stains, or abrasions have been noted. The monumental format and the unique print run attest to careful heritage management. This exceptional condition considerably enhances the value of the piece, which is extremely rare for graphic works of this period. The absence of prior exhibition guarantees remarkable visual freshness, a crucial aspect for silkscreens where chromatic perception is central.

The team's opinion The Auctionlab

This silkscreen print deserves attention for several converging reasons. First, it documents a crucial collaboration between artistic creation and avant-garde publishing, a historically significant aspect of 1960s America. Second, its status as a proof in a unique print run gives it remarkable rarity: few such objects survive in pristine condition. Finally, Bert Stern's importance in 20th-century visual culture, combined with its verifiable provenance through Avant Garde, positions this piece as a key document for collectors of graphic design, photography, and publishing history. Its price reflects this threefold dimension: a rare object, a major artist, and an essential witness to an intense period of creative activity.