2024 quotation and value of Caesar's sculptures, jewels and expansions

If you own a sculpture by César or based on his work and would like to know its value, our state-approved experts and auctioneers can help you. Our specialists will carry out a free appraisal of your object, and provide you with a precise estimate of its value on the current market. Then, if you wish to sell your item, we'll guide you towards the best possible means of obtaining the best possible price.

Rating and value of Caesar's sculptures

Major works of the 20th century, highly significant in the artistic and theoretical process of their time, César's Compressions sell for between €200 and €291,530 (record for the artist achieved in 2018). Highly prized by collectors, the price of Compressions varies according to size and material. The artist also creates other bronze sculptures, which are less expensive but just as popular. His sculpture L'homme de Villetaneuse, dating from 1957, sold for €166,630, compared with an estimate of €159,960 to €213,180. 

Order of value from the most basic to the most prestigious

Artist's style and technique

César is a sculptor and artist who has produced a wide range of works, all the result of intellectual research and a long-term creative process. He has applied his compressions to a variety of materials, but has also created other works that complement this process: expansions. He also produces bronze sculptures by gluing together pieces of bronze, such as the brown patina hens published by the Fondation Cartier.

César, metal sculptor

César Baldaccini, known as César, was born in Marseille in 1921. From an early age, César was recognized as a prodigy. Endowed with an innate talent for drawing, he first studied drawing and then sculpture at the Beaux-Arts de Marseille.

He continued his training in Paris and developed an interest in modern sculpture, including Brancusi, Picasso, Matisse and Giacometti.

He produced his first works in iron, an easy-to-handle and inexpensive material. At the time, each of César's works was unique, and he worked and welded them himself in the original material.

In 1961, César experimented with Directed Compressions. The items to be compressed are carefully selected according to shape and color, then weighed. Following the model of car compressions, he applied the Compression process to jewelry, which is now attracting a great deal of interest on the auction market. In response to this creative process, he also created several sculptures entitled Expansions. They have the appearance of a thick smear of paint that has sunk to the floor and is still expanding. During his career, he collaborated with many artists, and gave Claude Victor Boeltz the idea of exploded bronze.

He was exhibited all over the world, and enjoyed great success during his lifetime.

César Baldaccini dies in Paris, aged 77.

His signature

Not all of César's works are signed.

Although there are variations, here is a first example of its signature:

Appraising your property

If you own a work by César, don't hesitate to request a free appraisal by filling in our online form. A member of our team of experts and certified auctioneers will contact you to provide an estimate of the market value of your work.

If you are considering selling your work, our specialists will also guide you through the various alternatives available to obtain the best possible price, taking into account market trends and the specific features of each work.