Igor Mitoraj Bronze Sculptures
Mitoraj Bronze Sculptures — What I Seek
I am a private collector based in Warsaw, Poland, actively seeking original bronze sculptures by Igor Mitoraj (1944–2014). I am interested in all editions, sizes and periods — from early table-top bronzes to monumental outdoor works.
Works of Particular Interest
- Asclépios — the winged healer, one of Mitoraj's most enduring subjects
- Perseus — helmeted, fragmented, commanding
- Tindaro — the cracked mask, icon of Mitoraj's aesthetic
- Eros Bendato — bandaged, serene, internationally recognised
- Ikaro Alato — the fallen Icarus, armless and wingless
- Centurione — the Roman soldier, large format preferred
- Any bronze with certificate of authenticity from Pietrasanta foundry
About Mitoraj Bronzes
Cast predominantly at the Fonderia Mariani in Pietrasanta, Tuscany — the same foundry used by Henry Moore and Fernando Botero — Mitoraj's bronzes are distinguished by their rich natural patinas, classical proportions and deliberate fragmentation. Editions typically range from 1 to 9 casts, with artist's proofs commanding premium prices at auction.
At Sotheby's Paris in 2019, Tindaro Screpolato achieved a world record of €6.89 million. Smaller bronzes regularly sell between and at Christie's, Desa Unicum Warsaw, and Dorotheum Vienna.
Why Sell Directly to a Collector?
Selling directly avoids auction house commissions of 15–25%, lengthy consignment periods, and public exposure of your transaction. I offer fair market prices, complete discretion, and payment within days of agreement.
From the Collection — Bronze Photographs
Do You Own a Work by Mitoraj?
I buy directly from private owners — no middlemen, no auction fees, complete discretion.
Contact Me DirectlyMost Wanted Mitoraj Bronze Series
While I consider all Mitoraj bronzes, certain series attract particular interest from serious collectors and appear most frequently in private transactions. Understanding which works are actively sought helps sellers position their pieces accurately.
Centurione I & II (1986–1987)
The Roman soldier heads with horizontal eye-bands. Among the most recognisable Mitoraj bronzes and consistently liquid in the secondary market. See the dedicated Centurione page for full detail.
Persée & Asclépios (1988)
The iconic paired torsos with rectangular chest apertures. One of the most collected Mitoraj editions worldwide. More about Persée & Asclépios →
Tête Secrète (1978) — Artcurial Edition
The earliest and most intimate Mitoraj bandaged head. One of the few small bronzes published by Artcurial. More about Tête Secrète →
Eros Bendato (1990s)
The bound Eros — Mitoraj's most internationally famous motif. Small editions start below ; monumental formats reach six figures.More about Eros Bendato →
What Affects the Price of a Mitoraj Bronze?
Several factors determine the value of any Mitoraj bronze on the open market. Edition size is the most significant: an edition of 250 is inherently rarer than one of 1500, and prices reflect this. Condition matters considerably — surface abrasions, repairs, and damage to the patina all reduce value. Provenance helps but is rarely decisive for multiples. Base completeness — the original travertine, marble, or wooden base — adds meaningful value and its absence is always noted in auction catalogues. Finally, accompanying documentation — a certificate of authenticity from the Atelier Mitoraj, Artcurial, or a gallery — provides authentication comfort though is not strictly required for widely-known editions.
Selling Directly vs. At Auction
Auction houses typically charge sellers a commission of 15–25% of the hammer price. For a Centurione II that sells at hammer for , the seller receives after commission. Selling directly to a private collector eliminates this cost entirely. I pay competitive prices based on current auction levels and can typically complete a transaction in days rather than the months an auction consignment requires.
How to Identify Authentic Mitoraj Bronzes
The authentication of Mitoraj bronzes rests on several consistent physical features. The signature is always incised (cut into the metal) rather than cast with it. On desktop-scale editions (18–40 cm), it appears at the base of the neck or on the lower front face of the torso: MITORAJ in capitals. On some early works, the signature reads igor mitoraj in lowercase — consistent with the pre-1985 period. The edition number is stamped or incised on the reverse, in the format n/total (e.g. 182/250).
Foundry marks appear on most authenticated examples: the Fonderia Venturi Arte in Bologna (for earlier Centurione casts), the Del Chiaro foundry in Pietrasanta (for the majority of his mature work), and occasionally other Pietrasanta foundries. The Atelier Mitoraj in Pietrasanta issues certificates of authenticity for works from the estate. Major auction houses — Artcurial, Millon, Hampel, Sotheby's — have published detailed catalogue entries for hundreds of Mitoraj works, providing reliable comparative reference.
The Pietrasanta Foundry Tradition
Pietrasanta — the small Tuscan town where Mitoraj established his studio in 1983 — is the international capital of bronze and marble sculpture production. Its foundries work with artists from every continent, and the quality of their casting is among the finest in the world. The lost-wax (cire perdue) process used for Mitoraj's bronzes produces a surface of exceptional detail and consistency. The patination — the chemical treatment of the bronze surface that creates the characteristic dark, green, or warm-brown tones — was controlled and approved by Mitoraj personally for each edition. This means that the patina on a genuine Mitoraj bronze is itself a form of authentication: it was applied at the artist's direction and carries the visual logic of his aesthetic intention.
What Happens After You Contact Me
The process is simple. You send me a photograph — ideally showing the front, reverse, and any signature or edition number. I respond the same day with an honest assessment: what I believe the work to be, what it is worth in the current market, and — if you wish — what I would pay for it privately. There is no pressure, no obligation, and no further contact unless you choose to proceed. If we agree on a price, payment is made promptly and the transaction is handled with complete discretion. I have bought Mitoraj works from sellers in Poland, France, Italy, Germany, and the United Kingdom.
Mitoraj Bronze Casting & Editions
Mitoraj's bronzes were cast primarily by the Fonderia Venturi Arte in Bologna, one of Italy's most respected fine-art foundries. Each edition was strictly numbered — typically between six and twelve casts plus artist's proofs — and accompanied by a certificate from the Atelier Mitoraj in Pietrasanta. The artist personally supervised patination and finishing, giving each piece a distinctive warm ochre-brown surface that recalls ancient Roman bronzes. Major monumental works include the bronze doors of Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri in Rome (2006) and the large Centurione I at Canary Wharf, London. When acquiring a Mitoraj bronze, provenance documentation — including foundry records and any prior exhibition history — significantly underpins value and authenticity.