Name: Cassandra (2008)
Brand: Bob Dylan
Rating: 5 (235 reviews)

Track auction value trend

The value of Bob Dylan's Cassandra (2008) is estimated to be worth between £400 to £600. This signed Giclée print, created in 2008, has an auction history of four total sales since its entry to the market in March 2017. Over the past 12 months, the average selling price was £500. In the last five years, the hammer price has ranged from £500 in October 2024 to £1,809 in October 2022. The average annual growth rate of this artwork is -12%. The edition size of this artwork is limited to 295.

Meaning & Analysis

A provocative 2008 print from the Drawn Blank series, Cassandra illustrates a woman with her blouse opened, exposing her chest to the viewer. This hand-signed limited edition of 295 exemplifies Dylan's direct, Expressionistic approach to documenting encounters and observations from his touring years between 1989 and 1992.

Cassandra employs Dylan's characteristic direct and rough brushstrokes to create a fragile yet compelling composition that prioritises emotional impact over technical perfection. Dylan’s technique of using loose lines and bold contours to focus on impressions rather than precise representation, embodies the poetic and intimate qualities that also characterise his musical work. The provocative subject matter reflects Dylan's willingness to document the full spectrum of human experience encountered during his extensive travels, approaching intimate moments with the same observational honesty as he applied to architectural or landscape scenes.

This 2008 release occurred during a watershed year when Dylan received the Pulitzer Prize Special Citation in April, becoming the first rock and roll artist to receive this honour for his “lyrical compositions of extraordinary poetic power”. This institutional recognition of Dylan's literary significance provided crucial context for the serious reception of his visual art. The work demonstrates Dylan's ability to capture the essence of human vulnerability and connection, transforming chance encounters from his touring years into universal statements about intimacy and human nature that resonate with viewers seeking authentic artistic expression.