Multiples

A multiple is a limited edition sculpture created in several identical or nearly identical versions, typically produced under the artist’s supervision. Multiples can include sculptures, objects, or other three-dimensional forms made in limited editions. Unlike unique, one-of-a-kind pieces, multiples enable more collectors to own the same artwork while preserving exclusivity through their limited numbers.

Buying multiples through renowned galleries or trusted dealers is a reliable way to collect, as it ensures provenance – an essential factor for maintaining resale value. Limited edition sculptures are often available directly from the publisher, guaranteeing that each multiple comes straight from the source in pristine condition. Schellmann Art, a highly respected publisher with decades of expertise, offers limited edition works from more than 200 contemporary artists, upholding the highest standards of quality and authenticity. Our curated collection spans traditional paper prints as well as an exceptional range of multiples by artists including Joseph Beuys, Donald Judd, Keith Haring, and Dan Flavin.

Joseph Beuys had a huge role in broadening and popularizing the concept of the “multiple” in postwar art – shifting it from a niche printmaking term into a wider, more experimental category. "Multiples" were a key element in Beuys’ philosophy of democratizing art and disseminating his ideas widely. He saw them as "vehicles" to reach a broader audience beyond traditional art spaces. By the 1970s, partly due to Beuys’s prolific output (over 500 multiples in his career), the term multiple was no longer just a technical printmaking label. It came to mean any work produced in an edition – across media – that carries the same conceptual weight as a unique artwork.