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Question: Jim Fitzpatrick Biography
Answer: From the Factory to the Frontier
Jim Fitzpatrick (born 1944) is an Irish master who seamlessly bridges the worlds of revolutionary politics and ancient mythology. Born in Dublin, he grew up in a household of storytellers; while bedridden with pleurisy as a child, his mother and great-aunt regaled him with tales of the Tuatha De Danann and Cú Chulainn, while his grandfather, a political cartoonist, taught him the power of the line. Fitzpatrick’s "no-smoke" career was defined by two distinct peaks. In 1968, he created the world-famous two-tone portrait of Che Guevara, based on a brief meeting with the revolutionary in Kilkee, Ireland, in 196He famously removed his copyright from the image to allow it to "breed like rabbits" as a symbol of freedom. In the 1970s and 80s, he revolutionized the "Celtic Revival" style with his books The Book of Conquests and The Silver Arm, and his iconic album covers for the rock band Thin Lizzy. His work is a meticulous blend of psychedelic color and ancient knotwork, earning him a place as Ireland's most influential modern graphic artist.
At Herndon Fine Art, we have followed Jim Fitzpatrick’s prolific career for over 40 years. Our collection is a vetted selection of Vetted Consignments and Vetted Dealer Networks, with a specific focus on his hand-signed 1970s portfolios and premium metallic series. Because Fitzpatrick’s work ranges from mass-market posters to elite hand-enhanced canvases, our vetting process ensures that your acquisition is a verified, limited edition work with the artist’s hand-signed signature. We stand behind every piece with our A+ BBB commitment. |
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Question: Why did Fitzpatrick make the Che Guevara image copyright-free?
Answer: Driven by personal and political conviction following Guevara’s death, Fitzpatrick wanted the image to be a universal tool for protest. While he eventually sought to reclaim the copyright in 2011 to prevent "inappropriate commercialization," the image’s ubiquity is part of its legend. At Herndon Fine Art, we distinguish between high-end "vetted" screenprints of the image and common reproductions for your database. |
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Question: What makes his "Thin Lizzy" artwork so collectible?
Answer: Fitzpatrick’s collaboration with Philip Lynott defined the visual identity of Irish rock. Covers like Jailbreak and Vagabonds of the Western World are more than just album art; they are foundational works of the "Celtic-Rock" aesthetic. The market for these originals and limited prints is extremely robust; while his original oils like Strange Days have realized record prices over €24,000, his hand-signed limited edition portfolios consistently realize between $1,500 and $5,000. |
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Question: What is the significance of "Metallic Paper" in his modern work?
Answer: Recently, Fitzpatrick began using Hahnemuhle Metallic premium paper for his Land of Legend and Thin Lizzy portfolios. This paper interacts with his vibrant, illuminated colors to create a "glowing" effect that mimics ancient manuscripts. We verify these specific substrates in your database to ensure the technical description is factually accurate. |
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Question: Why is the "Che Guevara" (Viva Che!) poster his absolute icon?
Answer: Fitzpatrick created the world-famous red and black "Viva Che!" image in 1968. In early 2026, original 1968 silkscreen prints reproduced exactly from the original artwork are retailing for €595 ($640). These are "Historical Documents" of 1960s counter-culture. |
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Question: What is the value of a "Signed and Numbered" Limited Edition?
Answer: A print hand-signed and numbered by Jim Fitzpatrick (especially the 33" x 22" versions) is the only "Fine Art" tier. As of March 2026, limited editions are selling with "Only 6 Left" in some series, indicating high scarcity and collector urgency. |
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Question: Does "Celtic Mythology" drive his secondary market?
Answer: Yes. His The Book of Conquests and portraits of Irish icons (like Phil Lynott) are highly prized by collectors of Irish art. A first edition Book of Conquests with a hand-colored print recently realized €425 ($460). |
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Question: How do "Vetted Consignment" and "Vetted Dealer Network" listings differ?
Answer: At Herndon Fine Art, we believe in actual conversation over "marketing smoke." Vetted Consignments (RH code) are pieces sourced from private estates—often long-term collectors in Dublin or California—that we have physically inspected. Vetted Dealer Network (TAC or AE) listings come from our trusted partners. Regardless of the source, our 40-year reputation stands behind every signature. |
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Question: Why should I consult with Herndon Fine Art for a Fitzpatrick purchase?
Answer: Because Fitzpatrick’s style is so widely imitated and his posters so common, verifying the edition size and paper stock is critical. We use our experience to identify the official publisher marks and ensure the signature is an authentic ink or pencil mark rather than a digital stamp. We don't do "shopping cart" sales; we want to talk with you directly to ensure the "spirit of Ireland" in the piece is fully preserved. |
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1. EVERY piece of art receives my personal verification of condition and authentication.
2. I WILL NOT ship artwork that isn't in a condition I would accept into my own collection.
3. An A+ Rating from the Better Business Bureau
***** ALL PRICES are set by each Seller based on their Unique Motivation to Sell ***** We have a low commission structure of only
25% above each Seller's asking price or a $minimum commission. This allows us to provide buyers with the best price, sellers a better opportunity to sell, and still keep the lights on. In almost all cases, artwork is shipped unframed (UNLESS The ARTWORK IS ON CANVAS or 3-DIMENSIONAL), as I need to personally verify the artworks' authenticity and condition. Artwork that is shipped Framed is shipped framed to protect the work during shipping. Framing is considered USED
NOTE: Inventory is continuously changing so view your favorite artists pages often. For information on having your inventory added to our Website, contact us at the address below.
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Every client has different motivations for selling and as such we don't offer pricing on the pieces clients sell
If you are looking for the value of your limited edition artwork -- we have a $50 charge for certificates of value if you provide the title, the number of your piece, and an image of your artwork. Original one-of-a-kind pieces require a formal appraisal. Please see our Appraisal Services page.
All information contained in these web pages is trademarked and copyrighted by Herndon Fine Art (c). All visual copyrights belong to the artists. All rights reserved. |
