Rating and value of drawings, paintings by Sanyu

If you own a work by or after Sanyu, 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 value on the current market. Then, if you wish to sell your work, we will guide you towards the best possible arrangement to obtain the optimum price.

Sanyu artist's rating and value

The artist Sanyu has left behind a distinctive body of work, composed mainly of Chinese ink drawings. He is Franco-Chinese. The price of his works is now rising under the auctioneer's hammer. The price at which they sell on the art market ranges from €100 to €21,274,110 - a significant difference, but one that speaks volumes about the value that can be attributed to Sanuy's works. He is especially prized by buyers from Hong Kong, China, Taiwan and France. In 2018, a drawing depicting a double nude or a nude crossing his legs sold for €2,132,770, while it was estimated at between €2,132,770 and €2,932,560. His value has exploded in recent years.

Order of value from a simple work to the most prestigious

Sanyu artist's style and technique

Sanuy is a versatile artist who uses Indian ink extensively in his drawings, but also oil paint, on a variety of sometimes original supports such as masonite. He has worked mainly on the study of the body and nudes. 

Sanyu's life

Sanyu was born in Nanchong, a province in southern China, in 1907. He learns some painting techniques from his father at an early age. His brother ran one of the city's largest silk companies, which did remarkably well, allowing him to devote himself fully to his artistic production. He studied calligraphy and painting at the same time as attending Shanghai University.

He then traveled to Japan and settled in France. In Paris, he studied at the Académie de la Grande Chaumière. He was one of the first twentieth-century Chinese artists to settle in Paris throughout his career, where he produced most of his work, as did others such as Chu Teh Chun.

Most of his work focuses on the body and the nude, both male and female.

He died in 1966 in his Paris studio, as a result of a gas leak. His works are sold at public auction at Drouot, without any publicity or catalog.   

Sanuy's imprint on his period

Sanyu was not a well-known artist of his time, never really making a living from his passion, and was never noticed by critics during his lifetime. The Musée Guimet devoted an exhibition to him in 2004, entitled L'écriture du corps. Today, most of his works are held by private collectors.

Today, the artist stands out on the international auction scene, and in recent years his works have fetched record sums.

Recognizing the artist's signature

Sanyu signs his works most of the time. However, it is essential to have your work appraised to be sure of its originality. There are, of course, many copies.

Knowing the value of a work

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