Rating and value of works, drawings, paintings by Nicolas Toussaint Charlet

If you own a work by or based on the work of artist Nicolas Toussaint Charlet and would like to know its value, our state-approved experts and auctioneers can help you. Our specialists will carry out a free appraisal of your work, and provide you with a precise estimate of its value on the current market. Then, if you wish to sell your work of art, we will guide you towards the best possible means of obtaining the best possible price.

Artist's rating and value

A great army painter associated with the myth of Napoleon, Nicolas-Toussaint Charlet established himself as a major artist of his time. On the art market, his works sell for very good prices and remain stable. A work signed by the artist can fetch tens of thousands of euros at auction, as demonstrated by his oil on canvas Soldats français dans un village de Russie, sold for €35,000 in 2004.

Order of value from the most basic to the most prestigious

The artist's works and style

Charlet's striking iconography has played a major role in anchoring the Napoleonic legend in the collective imagination. His work has helped to popularize and convey history visually, enabling a wide audience to become familiar with the events and characters of the Napoleonic era.

A tireless artist, Nicolas Toussaint Charlet produced a considerable number of lithographs, drawings of all techniques, watercolors, etc. AlongsideAuguste Raffet, the artist was one of the main illustrators of the Napoleonic legend.

As well as contributing to the myth of Napoleon, the artist depicts the everyday life of the middle classes. He seizes the moment and embellishes his sketches with a caption or a word, reflecting the language of children or popular, oral French.

The life of Nicolas Toussaint Charlet

Nicolas Toussaint Charlet was born in Paris in 1792, at the height of the French Revolution. The son of a soldier, Charlet grew up in a very military environment and developed an admiration for Napoleon Bonaparte. Equally passionate about painting, Charlet entered the studio of Antoine-Jean Gros, official painter to the Empire, as an apprentice. Forced to produce for a living, Charlet took up lithography, producing a large number of drawings and watercolors. Quickly appreciated, his work became a success.

In 1820, Nicolas Toussaint Charlet opened his lithography studio in Paris. Noticed by Géricault, the two artists quickly became good friends. A few years later, Charlet collaborated with the Gihaut brothers, lithographic publishers renowned at the time for their work.

In 1838, Charlet was appointed professor at Polytechnique, a position he held until his death. Louis-Philippe also commissioned Charlet to create some of the paintings for the Musée de l'Histoire de France in Versailles. 

The artist's imprint on his era

Nicolas Toussaint Charlet left his mark on his era through his impact on the propaganda of the imperial regime. Alongside Baron Gros and other neoclassical artists producing under the Empire, he helped forge the Napoleonic legend. Today, some of his works are exhibited in many museums in France, but private collectors play a major role in preserving his work.

His signature

Not all Nicolas Toussaint Charlet's works are signed.

Although there are variations, here is a first example of its signature:

Appraising your property

If you own a work by Nicolas Toussaint Charlet, don't hesitate to request a free appraisal by filling in our online form. A member of our team of experts and chartered auctioneers will contact you to provide an estimate of the market value of your Charlet work.

If you are considering selling your work, our specialists will also guide you through the various alternatives available to obtain the best possible price, taking into account market trends and the specific features of each work.