Impressionist & Modern Art

Impressionist & Modern Art : A Stable Market Transcending Trends

After being overtaken in 2021 by the 20^th century Furniture & Decorative Arts category, the Impressionist & Modern Paintings and Sculptures category has regained its top spot with over €270 million in sales. France thus confirms its place as fourth in the global market after China, the United States, and the United Kingdom.

Eclecticism in Auctions

Our Impressionist & Modern Art auctions are characterized by eclecticism. Our catalogs reflect this through the diversity of creation techniques they embrace: paintings, drawings, sculptures, prints, as well as unique collages and ceramics, such as those by Pablo Picasso and those born from the ephemeral collaboration between André Metthey and the greatest painters of his time (Maurice Denis, Maurice de Vlaminck, Henri Matisse, and Georges Rouault), and multiple pieces like the art deco works from the fruitful collaboration between Picasso and Madoura in Vallauris. They are also eclectic in the genres they represent (history painting, landscapes, portraits, genre scenes) and include abstract paintings. Finally, they are diverse in the movements they honor (Impressionism, Neo-Impressionism, Pointillism, Cubism, Fauvism, Dadaism, Futurism, Surrealism, etc.), covering a wide chronology from the second half of the 19^th century to the present day, depending on the artists.

Impressionist Art

Straddling the line between old masters and contemporary art, Impressionism, with its simplicity of subjects and distinctive treatment of color, is today the most popular pictorial movement in art history. It's no surprise that Aguttes' Impressionist art auctions are closely watched by institutions and private collectors alike. French and international collectors have a clear preference for paintings that, with a vivid color palette, capture the subtle variations of light, such as Renoir's Le village de Cagnes vu de la terrasse des Collettes, sold for €350,000, or Paul-César Helleu's Voilier blanc en régate, sold for €252,420.

Graphic arts and sculptures are also highly valued. This is evidenced by the €300,000 recorded for a Van Gogh drawing in 2019 and the €386,000 for Camille Claudel's Persée et la Gorgone, a bronze cast by Eugène Blot with excellent provenance, directly commissioned from the artist by her patron, the Countess of Maigret. Collections and sheets with prestigious provenance always generate enthusiasm among buyers. For instance, in 2019, hammer prices of €124,000 for Picasso's pencil drawing Arlequin et singe and €127,000 for Picabia's gouache Transparence, both formerly in Princess Lucien Murat's collection, were notable.

Modern Art

At the beginning of the 20^th century, modernity was built on the notion of avant-gardes, suggesting an art evolving through successive, sometimes offensive or subversive, breakthroughs. This artistic reflection often led artists to gradually move away from mimesis, the imitation of the world, towards abstraction. However, modernity is not just a series of ruptures. It constantly refers back to tradition, as evidenced by the "return to order" works of Derain or those, influenced by surrealism, of Balthus. Far from being linear, the history of modern art is punctuated with sometimes contradictory proposals. Aguttes is committed to defending modern art in its plurality. This commitment has been successful, as seen with Max Ernst's Projet pour un monument à Leonardo da Vinci, which sold for €833,000 in 2019.

Benefit from Our Expertise to Sell Your Impressionist and Modern Paintings at Auction

Aguttes offers sellers a unique advantage with powerful and targeted communication tools, ensuring effective international exposure. We place great importance on the creation of our auction catalogues, both in terms of design and content, whether in print or fully digital format. During each campaign, we engage buyers from our client portfolio across all specialties, as well as qualified potential buyers. Our communication strategy spans multiple channels: online and offline advertising, social media, email marketing, media partnerships, influencers, and auction platforms—always using high-quality visuals, compelling copy, and video content.

Free and Confidential Valuations of Your Impressionist and Modern Paintings: Support and Promotion

Our experts travel throughout France and across Europe, working in collaboration with our regional offices to provide appraisals and valuations of your artworks. Ahead of an in-person appointment, you can submit your request online, including a description, photographs, and any available documentation related to the work, via our valuation request form or by email directly to our specialist.

Discover our auction calendar and regional offices.

Good to know: Our Impressionist & Modern Art department holds an average of four auctions per year in Paris.