The value of works, sculptures by Agathon Léonard

The value of Agathon Léonard's works

If you own a work of art by or after Agathon Léonard, 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.

Cote et valeur de l'artiste A. Léonard

The artist Agathon Léonard left in his wake a very singular body of work, part of the Art Nouveau movement. A talented sculptor, he worked for the renowned Sèvres factory. Prices for his works are now skyrocketing under auctioneers' gavels. His sculptures are particularly prized by French and European buyers. The price at which they sell on the art market ranges from €90 to €497,000, a considerable delta but one that speaks volumes about the value that can be attributed to the works of Agathon Léonard. In 2021, a sculpture in various materials influenced by Belgian art dating from 1903 sold for €319,000, whereas its estimate was between €84,000 and €126,000.

Agathon Léonard's order of value from a simple work to the most prestigious

Style and technique of the artist Agathon Léonard

Agathon Léonard succeeded in reviving the Renaissance mastery of bronze while working with other materials such as porcelain, marble and ivory. His work is part of the Art Nouveau style, and the influence of his Belgian origins and of Northern art in general is clearly visible in his work.

The life and work of Agathon Léonard

Agathon Léonard (1841-1923), a naturalized Belgian artist, became a major figure in the art world of the 19th century. Born in France, he studied first at the Académie des Beaux-Arts in Lille, then in Paris. Like many artists of the time, the Salons were a springboard to public recognition. After the 1868 Salon, he moved permanently to the capital to be closer to the art world. Recognized by his peers, he joined the Société des artistes Français in 1887 and the Société Nationale des Beaux-arts in 1897.

His work is vast and varied. Like Riccio or Donatello, he worked throughout his career on bronzes and gilded bronzes, mastering the technique to perfection. However, he also worked for the Manufacture de Sèvres, founded by Louis XV.

He also carved quartz, various stones and ivory. Some of Agathon Léonard's work can be seen in various French cities, but relatively little of it is in private collections. For his work, he was successively named Rosati d'honneur and Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur.

The impact of Agathon Léonard's work on his period

Thanks to his participation in numerous Salons and his membership of two art societies, Agathon Léonard became an artist recognized by the art world and in demand, not least thanks to the Sèvres factory. He took part in the 1900 Universal Exhibition, where he presented one of his most famous works: Jeu de l'Écharpe, made in Sèvres porcelain. Like many bronziers, he also worked on reliefs, including the widely-known Sainte Cécile. Like Rodin, he brought bronze sculptures back into fashion, but unlike Rodin, he only worked on miniatures. Like the Italian bronziers, he turned bronze sculpture into a work in its own right, rather than a miniature for a larger marble. This is why Agathon Léonard stands out in his artistic period. He was also a medallist, demonstrating his mastery of relief work.

How to recognize Agathon Leonard's signature?

Works by Agathon Léonard are generally not signed. That's why, if you think you own a work by or after the artist, it's essential to have it appraised by an expert who can authenticate it.

How do you know the value of a work of art?

If you happen to own a work by or after Agathon Léonard, 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 wish to sell your work of art, our specialists will also be on hand to offer you alternatives for selling it at the best possible price, taking into account market trends.