Albert Cézard

Appraisal and market value of Albert Cézard

Albert Cézard (1869–1916) was a French painter, draftsman, and caricaturist who was deeply influenced by his experiences in Indochina. Born in Nantes into a family involved in the maritime trade, he enlisted in the Marine Infantry and spent several years in Tonkin. More passionate about local art and culture than about a military career, he subsequently worked as a typesetter in Hanoi and founded the satirical weekly La Vie Indochinoise, which was a great success.

Upon his return to France around 1900, he furthered his artistic training and gained recognition at the 1903 Exhibition of Colonial Painters thanks to his illustrations for Albert de Pouvourville’s Rimes chinoises. He was then commissioned for an artistic mission to Indochina, from which he brought back extensive documentation that informed his work. As a book illustrator and contributor to La Dépêche Coloniale Illustrée, he was also a member of the “Français d’Asie” group, which sought to introduce the authentic Indochina to the metropolitan public. Though his work fell into obscurity after his death, it regained some interest during public auctions in Paris and Hong Kong in 2015–2016.

How to recognize a work by Albert Cézard

Albert Cézard’s works are recognizable by their subjects inspired by Indochina and China, created primarily between 1890 and 1915.

A painter and draftsman, he often depicted landscapes, scenes of daily life, markets, boats, and Asian figures. His style is characterized by precise lines in Indian ink, sometimes enhanced with gouache or watercolor; his color palette is particularly warm, with a predominance of yellow and orange tones.

He generally signed his works “A. Cézard,” “Albert Cézard,” or simply “Cézard.” His illustrations for the writings of Albert de Pouvourville and his publications in the colonial press also serve as important references for identifying his work. 

Albert Cézard on the art market: the artist’s market value

Prices vary depending on the medium, dimensions, and subject matter, but generally remain affordable compared to those of more widely recognized artists of his period. His oil-on-canvas works, the most sought-after medium, sell for between €3,000 and €80,000.

Collectors’ interest is based primarily on the pictorial quality of his works and their representative nature of early 20th century French painting.

Auctioning a work by Albert Cézard

Charlotte Aguttes-Reynier, author of the book Le renouveau de l'art moderne en Indochine and an expert with Aguttes for over 15 years, offers her extensive knowledge of this movement and market to French and European sellers and buyers, primarily from Vietnam. She appraises objects and works, mostly previously unseen, including modern and contemporary paintings and sculptures. Our expert travels throughout France and Europe in collaboration with our regional representative offices.

You may also submit your appraisal request in advance of a meeting, along with a description, photos, and any available documents related to the work, using the online form or by emailing our expert directly.

As the long-standing leader in the market for Asian artists, Aguttes serves as a trusted third party for every private or professional seller, guaranteeing that they obtain the best price and achieve world records in a demanding market. A dedicated local team ensures final payment for each artwork, with the auction governed by French law. 

Aguttes’ Asian Painters department regularly holds auctions dedicated to major modern Vietnamese artists : Lê Phổ,  Nguyễn Phan Chánh, Mai Trung Thứ, Vũ Cao Đàm, Trần Văn Thọ, Phạm Hầu, and many others. The department organizes an average of four auctions dedicated to artists from the Indochina School of Fine Arts.

Contact our expert for a free appraisal of your work by Albert Cézard.