# Michael Rothenstein artist context and auction value notes

Canonical page: https://appraisily.com/artist/michael-rothenstein/
Profile generated: 2026-05-09T11:53:34.878Z
Quality: high confidence, strong sources

## Artist identity

- Nationality: British
- Common media: printmaking, painting

## About Michael Rothenstein

Michael Rothenstein (1908–1993) was a British printmaker, painter, and art teacher whose career spanned over five decades. Recognized as one of the most inventive printmakers in post-war Britain, Rothenstein explored a wide range of graphic techniques, pushing the boundaries of print as a fine-art medium. His work is represented in major public collections, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York and Tate in London. Born William Michael Rothenstein, he came from a prominent artistic family—his father was the painter and Royal College of Art principal Sir William Rothenstein. Rothenstein's prints and paintings are encountered by collectors at auction with notable frequency, reflecting a substantial and diverse output across media.

## Common works and media

Rothenstein is best known for his prints, which span lithographs, screenprints, linocuts, woodcuts, and etchings. He also produced paintings in oil and mixed media, as well as drawings and works on paper. His subjects frequently include figurative studies, landscapes, animals, and abstract compositions. Editioned prints in various sizes are the most commonly encountered works at auction, with many bearing his characteristic bold color and experimental approach to the printed surface.

## Market and appraisal context

Michael Rothenstein's work appears regularly on the secondary market, with over five hundred recorded auction lots. Prints constitute the largest share of his auction presence, though paintings and works on paper also surface. Key factors affecting appraisal include the specific print technique employed, edition size and numbering, paper quality, condition, provenance, and whether the work dates from his most sought-after periods. Museum-held works at MoMA and Tate lend institutional credibility. Collectors should note that his broad output means condition and authenticity checks are particularly important, and prices vary significantly between his graphic editions and unique works.

## Appraisily data basis

Appraisily artist pages combine verified artist identity research from museum, library-authority, and scholarly sources with available auction records, sale dates, realized prices, and comparable lots. For Michael Rothenstein, identity data is supported by Getty ULAN, VIAF, Wikidata, the Library of Congress, MoMA, Tate, and the RKD. Market context draws on the Appraisily auction-lot database and public auction-house records where available.

## Sources

- Wikidata: https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6833987
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Rothenstein
- Getty Vocabulary Program: https://vocab.getty.edu/page/ulan/500024728
- VIAF: https://viaf.org/viaf/76420547/
- Library of Congress: https://id.loc.gov/authorities/names/n50051659
- The Museum of Modern Art: https://www.moma.org/artists/5045
- Tate: https://www.tate.org.uk/art/artists/michael-rothenstein-1873
- RKD: https://rkd.nl/en/explore/artists/68471