Bert Stern – Screen printing The last green sitting

The Last Sitting – An iconic silkscreen print from the 1960s

This silkscreen print by Bert Stern embodies the artistic and graphic experimentation of 1960s America. Created as a proof for issue number 2 of Avant Garde magazine in August 1968, it testifies to the convergence of contemporary art and graphic design. The green version reveals a subtle chromatic treatment, characteristic of silkscreen printing of that era.

The Work

This unique silkscreen print, titled "The Last Sitting," measures 58 × 89 cm (22.8 × 35 in). Dated circa 1968, it served as a proof for the publication of the US magazine Avant Garde, a major experimental journal edited by Ralph Ginzburg. The green composition displays a limited yet structured palette, typical of 1960s silkscreen art. This editorial function confers upon the work a dual legitimacy: that of an autonomous artwork and that of a historical document of American graphic design.

L'Artiste

Bert Stern (1929–2013) was a major American photographer and artist, known for his work in photography, screen printing, and graphic design. A pioneer of fashion and portrait photography, he distinguished himself through his multimedia explorations beginning in the 1960s. His innovative approach to the relationship between photography and printmaking—particularly screen printing—positioned him at the heart of the dialogue between contemporary art and mass visual culture. His works are included in international museum collections and maintain a stable market value among collectors of American modern art.

Technical & Publishing

This screen print, a unique edition, bears the signature "BS" directly engraved into the plate. The unique printing (proof approval) gives this work a special status within Stern's oeuvre: it represents not only an artistic creation but also a technical validation for printed publication. The screen printing technique allows for precise color application, with meticulous layering of green and white. No certificate of authenticity is mentioned, but the signature on the plate constitutes the original authentication.

Conservation state

The artwork is in pristine condition. Never exhibited, it has not suffered the typical damage of prolonged exposure (discoloration, paper fragility, edge wear). The paper retains its structural integrity and surface quality, while the green color remains vibrant and true to the original intent. No visible damage, tears, stains, or printing defects are present. This pristine condition enhances the rarity and appeal of this piece for collectors.

The team's opinion The Auctionlab

This silkscreen print by Bert Stern deserves the attention of the American modern art collector for several converging reasons. First, its status as a proof makes it a document of exceptional authenticity, directly linked to the publishing history of Avant Garde, the cult magazine of the 1960s. Second, its multimedia provenance—a photographer who became a graphic artist—illustrates the fluidity of artistic practices at the time. Finally, its pristine condition and unique print run make it a lasting acquisition for 20th-century graphic art collections.