Value and quotation of works, paintings by Ferdinand Roybet

If you own a work of art by or after Ferdinand Roybet, 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 Roybet

The artist Ferdinand Roybet left behind a distinctive body of work, mostly Orientalist. He studied art in Lyon and Paris. From then on, prices for his works rose under the auctioneers' hammer. The price at which they sell on the art market ranges from €15 to €360,300, a significant gap but one that speaks volumes about the value that can be attributed to Ferdinand Roybet's works. In 2019, an oil on canvas highly inspired by Caravaggio (cf Le joueur de luth) sold for €62,270, whereas it was estimated at between €17,800 and €26,700. The artist's value peaked in the 1990s/2000s, but his works are still sought after by collectors.

Order of value from the simplest to the most prestigious work by Ferdinand Roybet

Style and technique of artist Ferdinand Roybet

Ferdinand Roybet belongs to the artistic term "Orientalist", which is not a movement but a group of painters who drew their inspiration from the Orient. Otherwise, Roybet drew considerable inspiration from Caravaggio, in his choice of colors (cf. The Incredulity of Saint Thomas), in his treatment of faces (cf. Medusa Murtola, compared with Roybet's oil on canvas sold by Auctie's) and in his choice of subjects(The Lute Player, Caravaggio - A Young Player, Roybet).

Ferdinand Roybet, a forgotten figure of the 19th century

Ferdinand Roybet (1840-1920), a French artist, was in demand in the 19th century.

He began his training in Lyon, where he studied engraving. He produced many of them during his career. He then moved to Paris, where he learned painting and oil-on-canvas techniques from Jean-Georges Vibert. He was inspired by all the great Italian and Flemish masters, particularly the Utrecht school (Hontorst, Brugghen). Still earning little money, he struggles to make a living from his work.

He exhibited at the Salon of 1865, but it was the following year that his talent was revealed to the public, with Le fou sous Henri III. Mathilde Bonaparte bought the painting, and this success opened doors for him.

After the siege of Paris, he left for Belgium and then Algeria, where he produced a large number of canvases, all of which were bought from him. He returned to Paris, where he moved into a private mansion and began collecting objets d'art, which ruined him.

However, he still has customers, and Cornelius Vanderbilt buys works from him at a high price.

Like Carolus Duran, he realized that portraits of socialites, generals and noblemen could earn him a lot of money. He painted many of them at the end of his career.

His last works were on religious subjects: the influence of Caravaggio never left him. He produced a series of 22 paintings on the Passion of Christ, which were exhibited at the 1921 Salon, a year after his death. Napoleon III's granddaughter created a museum in his name, to which she bequeathed the Ferdinand Roybet works she owned.  

Ferdinand Roybet's imprint on 19th-century art

Ferdinand Roybet is one of the few artists who drew so much of his inspiration from foreign painters. He drew inspiration from the Italian and Flemish schools, but very little from the great French masters.

Recognizing the signature of artist Ferdinand Roybet

Not all Ferdinand Roybet's works are signed, especially the drawings and prints. This is why the estimate is so high. He was highly regarded in the 19th century, and has been somewhat forgotten due to the artistic revolution of the 20th century. However, his works are still very popular at auction and sought-after by collectors.

Know the value of a work by Ferdinand Roybet

If you happen to own a work by or after Ferdinand Roybet, 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.