Charles Fouqueray

Appraisal and Market Value of Charles Fouqueray (1869–1956)

Charles Fouqueray was a French painter, illustrator, and watercolorist, recognized as one of the greatest marine painters of his time.

Trained at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris under Alexandre Cabanel and Fernand Cormon, he was appointed Official Painter of the Navy in 1908. Passionate about the maritime world, he produced numerous works devoted to the lives of sailors, naval battles, and overseas voyages. His travels to the Middle East, the Mediterranean, and Indochina also inspired a significant body of Orientalist work. Elected to the Academy of Fine Arts in 1947, he left behind a prolific body of work that bears witness to early 20th-century French maritime and colonial history.

How can you recognize a work by Charles Fouqueray?

Charles Fouqueray’s works plunge the viewer into the heart of the action: raging seas, sailboats battered by the wind, ship smoke, and the dazzling lights of distant ports. His brush captures movement with great intensity, giving each scene a sense of life and adventure. From seascapes to exotic ports of call, his paintings depict the world as he saw it during his travels.

Charles Fouqueray on the art market: the artist’s market value

Charles Fouqueray’s market value remains strong. His prints and illustrations generally sell for between €20 and €300, his watercolors for between €150 and €1,500, while his oil-on-canvas works frequently fetch between €500 and €20,000, or even more for his most sought-after Orientalist or seascape works. Some major sales have exceeded €40,000, confirming collectors’ interest in this major figure in French marine painting.

Auctioning a work by Charles Fouqueray

Charlotte Aguttes-Reynier, author of the book The Revival of Modern Art in Indochina 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 Charles Fouqueray.