Rating and value of works, paintings by Rudolf Ernst

If you own a work by or about the artist Rudolf Ernst, 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'll guide you towards the best possible arrangement to obtain the optimum price.  

Rating and value of the artist Rudolf Ernst 

Considered one of the protagonists of Orientalism in the 19th century, Rudolf Ernst left behind a unique artistic repertoire imbued with a colonialist artistic spirit. This legacy is made up of paintings, the majority of which are oil on canvas. Today, prices for his works are skyrocketing under auctioneers' gavels. His paintings and other works are particularly prized, especially by English and American buyers, and the price at which they sell on the art market ranges from €20 to €121,720, a considerable delta but one that speaks volumes about the value that can be attributed to Rudolf Ernst's works. In 2021, a polychrome composition depicting the Constantinople Mosque sold for €121,720.  

Order of value from a simple work to the most prestigious 

Style and technique of artist Rudolf Ernst

Rudolf Ernst was part of the Orientalist movement, which was very much in vogue in the 19th and 20th centuries, depicting oriental scenes from various countries, particularly those of North Africa. The colors used are rather warm, and a great deal of attention is paid to light.  

The life of Rudolf Ernst, from Vienna to Orientalism  

Rudolf Ernst (1854-1932), an Austrian artist, became an important painter of Orientalism. Born in Vienna, his father was both a member and architect of the Vienna Academy of Fine Arts. His vocation was thus born quite quickly, and he was trained there. It was Aslem Feuerbach who trained him in painting. By 1877, he was exhibiting at the Salon des Artistes Français. He quarreled with the secretary of the Vienna Academy and moved to Paris to pursue his career. It was in Morocco that, like Henri Pontoy and Jacques Majorelle, he found a new inspiration that would stay with him throughout his career.

He chose Orientalist painting as the backbone of his work, and traveled throughout the Orient. He met Osman Hamdi Bey, a former pupil of Jean-Léon Gérome.

He does, however, exhibit in Paris from time to time.

Rudolf Ernst's influence on his period  

Rudolf Ernst was one of the first artists to represent the Orientalist style. His works bear little resemblance to those produced after him, using softer hues and finer, more precise strokes than other so-called Orientalist painters. He was also one of the few artists who not only painted in North Africa, but also traveled to the Middle East, especially Constantinople, where he spent some time at the Ottoman court.

Recognizing Rudolf Ernst's signature

Rudolf Ernst's paintings are often signed in the lower left-hand corner. He signs "R. Ernst", often in a dark tone.  

Knowing the value of a work 

If you happen to own a work by or after Rudolf Ernst, 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.