Post-War
& Contemporary Art

A Rapidly Growing Market

In a constantly evolving market, contemporary art (from the post-war period to the present day) has undergone positively dazzling growth. The Post-War and Contemporary Art department at Aguttes achieved sales of €5 million in this segment, contributing to new records. Its director, Ophélie Guillerot, is well-versed in the contemporary scene and all its players. She organises sales in line with current French cultural happenings, or at the same time as major international and local art fairs and events: Art Paris + by Art Basel, PAD, ART3f, Paris Internationale, Asia Now, Moderne Art Fair, AKAA, Outsider Art Fair and Paris Photo. In this way, she provides a great many art lovers with a chance to fully appreciate the works on show in Paris.

From figurative art to cyber art

The sales celebrate the wide range of artistic movements that have marked the contemporary era, like Figurative Art, Abstract Expressionism, Minimalism, Neo-Dadaism, New Realism, Pop Art, Hyper-Realism, Conceptual Art, Postmodern Art, Street Art, Neo-Expressionism and Cyber Art, and artists with an international reputation: Aboudia, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Fernando Botero, Alexander Calder, Christo and Jeanne Claude, Robert Combas, Tony Cragg, Olivier Debré, Peter Doig, Jean Dubuffet, Sam Francis, Hans Hartung, JonOne, Yves Klein, André Lanskoy, Sol Lewitt, Georges Mathieu, Henri Michaux, Niki de Saint-Phalle, Gerhard Richter, Pierre Soulages, Walasse Ting, Maria Elena Vieira Da Silva, Bernar Venet, Bram van Velde, Geer van Velde, Claude Viallat, Tom Wesselmann, and more.

The department recently sold a painting by Pierre Soulages for €1.2 M, the first to be sold at auction after the death of this major 21st-century artist in October 2022. This event underlines the company's undeniable presence in the history of the international art market.

Contemporary Asian Art

The Contemporary Art auctions have a section dedicated to contemporary Asian art. The team strive to promote the works of recognised masters in the contemporary Chinese, Korean, Japanese and Vietnamese painting market through all the various artistic movements, including calligraphy, Lyrical Abstraction, Xing Xing and Xiamen Dada.

We keep a lookout for key names: Yan Pei-Ming, Kazuo Shiraga, Chu Teh-Chun, Zao Wou-Ki, Huang Yong Ping.

A passion for auctions of contemporary art and collections

Aguttes contributes to the reputation of the artists it represents by selling individual works or highlighting private collections of modern and contemporary art. It defends artists, their works and their sellers by offering them tailor-made communication reflecting the collector’s spirit. We provide fully customised support for these collector sales. The department's strategy is based on a trusted network built up between the company, collectors and professionals over many years. 

Benefit from Our Expertise to Sell Your Post-War & Contemporary Artworks at Auction

With each auction, the Contemporary Art department continues to build strong relationships with business leaders, investors, emerging and seasoned collectors, as well as representatives from public institutions. The team offers personalized guidance and is known for its responsiveness to sellers, while also standing out for its ability to attract new buyers. Our specialist acts as a trusted advisor, supporting clients in their acquisitions and investments. Online auctions also play a key role in introducing and engaging a broader audience with the auction world.

Aguttes offers sellers powerful and targeted communication tools to ensure effective international exposure. We place special emphasis on the design and content of our auction catalogues, whether printed or fully digital. Each campaign activates buyers from our existing portfolio across all specialties, as well as identified potential buyers. We reach them through a wide range of channels: online and offline advertising, social media, email campaigns, media partnerships, influencers, and auction platforms—all with high-quality, tailored content including images, texts, and videos.

Free and Confidential Appraisals of Your Post-War & Contemporary Artworks

Our specialist travels throughout France and across Europe, in collaboration with our regional representative offices in Lyon, Lille, Aix-en-Provence, the Western Regions, Brussels, and Geneva, to provide valuations and appraisals of your artworks.
The team also supports you in the search for, sale, or acquisition of a unique work through private sales, with complete discretion.

Before scheduling an appointment, you may submit your valuation request—along with a description, photographs, and any available documentation related to the work—via the online valuation request form, or directly by email to our specialist.

The Post-War & Contemporary Art department organizes an average of 4 dedicated sales per year in Paris.