Rating and value of paintings by Ferdinand Holder

If you own a work by or about the artist Ferdinand Holder, and would like to know its value, our state-approved experts and auctioneers will offer you their appraisal services. Our specialists will carry out a free appraisal of your work, and provide you with a precise estimate of its current market value. Then, if you wish to sell your work, we will guide you towards the best possible arrangement to obtain the optimum price.   

Rating and value of the artist Ferdinand Holder

Considered one of the most famous contemporary artists of the 20th century, Ferdinand Holder leaves behind a unique artistic identity. This legacy consists mainly of oils on canvas. Today, prices for his works are rising under the auctioneer's hammer, and his stock is on the rise. His canvases and other works are particularly prized, especially by French buyers, and the price at which they sell on the art market ranges from €10 to €5,973,350 - a considerable delta, but one that speaks volumes about the value that can be attributed to Ferdinand Holder's works. In 2022, a monochrome composition entitled Bachbett bei Champéry, dating from 1916, sold for €2,752,600.

Order of value from a simple work to the most prestigious 

Style and technique of artist Ferdinand Holder  

Ferdinand Holder is part of the Art Nouveau and Symbolist movements. His works are also marked by realist and expressionist influences. He produced many portraits and self-portraits.

The life of Ferdinand Holder  

Ferdinand Holder (1853-1918) was born and died in Switzerland. His father and two brothers died of tuberculosis when he was eight. His mother remarried a painter and also died of tuberculosis some time later. He takes over the studio of his stepfather, who is an alcoholic and hardly paints anymore. It is he who supports his family. He leaves to do an apprenticeship in Thun, where he learns landscape painting. During his apprenticeship, all his brothers and sisters die of tuberculosis. Ferdinand Holder is traumatized, and this is reflected in his painting.

He moves to Geneva, where he studies at the Collège de Genève. His early paintings, inspired by Calame and Koller, are part of the Swiss Realism movement. He travels to Spain, which opens up new pictorial perspectives. His work is not yet recognized, so he turns to Symbolism, where he includes a spiritual vision of the world in his canvases. He also drew inspiration from the historical events of his time (cf. The Battle of Murten).

By the end of his career, he was well known in Switzerland, but much less so in France, where he found it difficult to exhibit during his lifetime. He had several wives and girlfriends in succession.

Today, some of his works are held in European museums, but private collectors play the greatest role in preserving his work.

Ferdinand Holder's imprint

Ferdinand Holder marked his time with his visionary spirit and pictorial versatility. He was the most famous Swiss painter of his time.  

Recognizing the artist's signature

Ferdinand Holder often signs his works, usually at the bottom of the painting, in a color that contrasts with the background. Here are two examples.

Knowing the value of a work 

If you happen to own a work by or after Ferdinand Holder, don't hesitate to request a free appraisal using the form on our website. A member of our team of experts and certified auctioneers will contact you promptly to provide you with an estimate of the market value of your work, as well as any relevant information about it. If you're thinking of selling your work, our specialists will also be on hand to offer you alternatives for selling it at the best possible price, taking into account market trends.