The value of works, paintings by Olivier Merson

If you own a work of art by or after Luc Olivier Merson, 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 Luc Olivier Merson

The artist L.O. Merson left behind a classical body of work, a blend of neoclassicism and romanticism. He studied art at a drawing school and then at the Académie des Beaux-Arts in Paris. From then on, prices for his works rose under the auctioneers' gavels. His paintings are highly prized, especially by French buyers. The price at which they sell on the art market ranges from €20 to €25,000, a significant gap but one that speaks volumes about the value that can be attributed to Merson's works. In 2019, a dark-toned canvas dating from 1880 sold for €40,000, whereas it was estimated at between €25,000 and €35,000.

Estimates ranging from the simplest to the most prestigious works

Artist's style and technique Luc Olivier Merson 

Merson succeeded in blending two currents, neoclassicism and Romanticism. It's not a committed romanticism like Delacroix's; his is more like Chateaubriand's. There are definite influences in his work from Ingres and Raphaël.

The life of L.O. Merson 

Nicolas Luc Olivier Merson (1846-1920) is a French artist who appeals to the most neoclassical among us. Born in Paris, he was immersed in the art world from an early age, as his father was himself an art critic. He began his training at a drawing school in Paris, then naturally entered the Académie des Beaux-Arts, where he acquired his technique. Throughout his career, he remained within the academic canon, choosing to work at the top of the theory of pictorial genres. He exhibited at the 1866 Paris Salon, then at the 1889 Universal Exhibition. His painting The Soldier of Marathon won him the prestigious Prix de Rome. He paints exclusively historical and religious subjects. His subjects remained largely the same, and his best-selling oil on canvas, Le Repos pendant la fuite en Égypte, was a religious subject. In this respect, he was influenced by Caravaggio's iconographic themes and choice of subjects. He also drew inspiration from the treatment of light and the famous chiaroscuro. At the end of his career, he was awarded the Medal of Honor by the Salon des Artistes Français.

Merson's imprint on his period

Luc Olivier Merson marked his time with his late neoclassicism. He was one of the last to remain within the academic canon of history painting. However, unlike his predecessors, he produced more drawings than oils on canvas. He worked with a variety of tools: etching, ink and pencil, for example. He ended up teaching at the Ecole Supérieure des Beaux-Arts, enabling him to pass on to other student-artists the technique he had acquired, a curious blend of Leonardo, David and Caravaggio.

Recognizing the artist's signature

Merson's works are generally not signed on canvas or paper. There may be an inscription on the back or frame, but if you think you own one, it's best to have it appraised to be sure of its originality.

Knowing the value of a work

If you happen to own a work by or after Luc Olivier Merson, 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.