Cy Twombly: Plate VII, from Natural History Part I: Mushrooms (1974) – Limited Edition Print

Cy Twombly is widely regarded as one of the most important postwar artists of the 20th century, known for redefining drawing, painting, and printmaking through his gestural abstraction and integration of text, collage, and historical reference. His Natural History series (1974–1975) represents a landmark moment in his print practice, combining scientific imagery, classical reference, and expressive mark-making into a unified conceptual cycle.

Plate VII, from Natural History Part I: Mushrooms (1974) is one of the most recognisable works from this celebrated portfolio and remains highly sought after within the market for Cy Twombly prints for sale.

Cy Twombly Natural History Part I: Mushrooms – Context of the Series

The Natural History portfolio was created in 1974 and published by Propyläen Verlag, Berlin. It consists of ten plates that draw on imagery sourced from botanical and scientific illustrations, particularly mushrooms and natural forms, which Twombly transforms through layered printmaking techniques and hand intervention.

Rather than presenting nature in a documentary or scientific way, Twombly reinterprets it through abstraction. The result is a body of work that sits between illustration, memory, and gestural drawing.

Plate VII is a key example from this series, reflecting the artist’s ability to merge structured imagery with expressive disruption.

Cy Twombly and the Natural History Portfolio

The Natural History Part I: Mushrooms series is one of Cy Twombly’s most important print portfolios. It reflects his sustained interest in:

• Classical antiquity and natural philosophy (Pliny the Elder’s Naturalis Historia)
  
• The relationship between language, image, and memory
  
• The transformation of found imagery through abstraction
  
• The physicality of drawing within printmaking
  

Each plate functions as both a study of natural form and a meditation on how meaning is constructed through layering and repetition.

For collectors, works from the Natural History series are considered essential Cy Twombly limited edition prints due to their historical importance and technical complexity.

Why Collect Cy Twombly Plate VII?

There are several key reasons why Plate VII remains highly desirable:

• Created in 1974 during a major printmaking period in Twombly’s career
  
• Part of the landmark Natural History portfolio
  
• Edition of 98 plus artist’s proofs
  
• Combines multiple advanced print techniques
  
• Includes hand-drawn crayon interventions (unique elements within each impression)
  
• Strong institutional exhibition history and museum relevance
  
• Represents Twombly’s synthesis of abstraction and classical reference
  

This combination of conceptual depth and material complexity places it among the most important Twombly prints for collectors of modern and contemporary art.

Cy Twombly Print Market and Collectability

Cy Twombly’s works on paper and prints consistently perform strongly at international auction, supported by sustained institutional demand and limited supply. The Natural History series in particular is regarded as a cornerstone of his print output.

Collectors seeking Cy Twombly prints for sale often prioritise works from the 1970s due to their direct connection to his mature conceptual language and the refinement of his mark-making system.

Works such as Plate VII are especially significant because they combine reproducibility with unique hand interventions, making each impression partially unique.

Artwork Details

Artist: Cy Twombly

Title: Plate VII, from Natural History Part I: Mushrooms

Year: 1974

Medium: Lithograph, grano-lithograph, collotype with collage and hand-colouring

Paper: Richard de Bas / Rives Couronne (varies by impression)

Edition: 98 (plus artist’s proofs)

Publisher: Propyläen Verlag, Berlin

Dimensions: approx. 75–76 × 55–56 cm

Catalogue Reference: Bastian 48

Available at Lougher Contemporary

Plate VII, from Natural History Part I: Mushrooms is available through Lougher Contemporary as part of our curated selection of important modern prints.

For collectors looking to buy Cy Twombly prints, this work represents a rare opportunity to acquire a historically significant edition from one of the most influential artists of the postwar era.