# Warrington Colescott artist context and auction value notes

Canonical page: https://appraisily.com/artist/warrington-colescott/
Profile generated: 2026-05-30T03:24:30.000Z
Quality: high confidence, strong sources

## Artist identity

- Birth date: 1921-03-07
- Death date: 2018-09-10
- Nationality: American
- Common media: etching, printmaking, painting

## About Warrington Colescott

Warrington Colescott (1921–2018) was an American printmaker and painter best known for his biting satirical etchings. Born in Oakland, California, Colescott developed a distinctive graphic style rooted in narrative humor and social critique, producing work that engaged with politics, culture, and the art world itself. He was a master printmaker who operated Mantegna Press in Hollandale, Wisconsin, alongside his wife and fellow artist Frances Myers. Over a career spanning more than six decades, Colescott's etchings drew recognition for their technical virtuosity and sharp commentary. His work is held in major museum collections including the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Tate in London, confirming his standing in post-war American printmaking.

## Common works and media

Colescott's most commonly encountered works are intaglio etchings, often featuring satirical, narrative, or figural subjects. These include multi-plate color etchings and black-and-white prints produced at Mantegna Press. Print editions vary; collectors may also encounter proofs, trial proofs, and unique states. Less frequently, paintings and drawings by Colescott appear on the market.

## Market and appraisal context

Warrington Colescott's work appears regularly at auction, primarily as etchings and intaglio prints. With over 200 recorded lots, collectors encounter his prints frequently in the secondary market. Key valuation factors include the specific series or subject, edition size and numbering, plate size, paper condition, and provenance. His satirical narrative prints tend to be the most sought-after. As with all prints, attribution should be verified through cataloguing references or expert examination, particularly for unsigned or unnumbered impressions.

## Appraisily data basis

Appraisily artist pages combine independent artist identity research with public auction records, auction-house context, sale dates, realized prices, and comparable lots when those records are available. This page draws on museum collection records, library authority files, and published biographical sources.

## Sources

- RKD — Netherlands Institute for Art History: https://rkd.nl/en/explore/artists/259888
- Wikidata: https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q7970718
- VIAF: https://viaf.org/viaf/37170029/
- Getty Vocabulary Program: https://vocab.getty.edu/page/ulan/500082155
- Tate: https://www.tate.org.uk/art/artists/warrington-colescott-928
- The Museum of Modern Art: https://www.moma.org/artists/1184
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warrington_Colescott
- Library of Congress: https://id.loc.gov/authorities/names/n79113215