Rating and value of works, drawings, paintings by André Masson

If you own a work by or based on the artist André Masson 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 work, and provide you with a precise estimate of its value on the current market. Then, if you wish to sell your work of art, we will guide you towards the best possible means of obtaining the best possible price. 

Artist's rating and value

Famous and highly-rated during his lifetime, André Masson soon enjoyed great success on both the European and American markets. Since the 2000s, his value has continued to rise. The artist has thus established himself as a sure bet on the world art market. His most prized works are his surrealist sketches in gouache or pastel, as well as his so-called automatic sketches. A work by André Masson can fetch millions of euros at auction, as demonstrated by his oil on canvas Gravita, which sold for over 2 million euros in 2010.

Order of value from the most basic to the most prestigious

Artist's style and technique

André Masson's works are characterized by organic, often abstract compositions, exploring aspects of the unconscious, dreams and mythology.

The artist used a variety of techniques, from oil painting to etching and collage, giving a textured, experimental dimension to his work. His art bears witness to great spontaneity, with a blend of shapes and colors.

André́ Masson creates automatic, supple, continuous drawings on the surface of paper.

The life of André Masson

André Masson (1896-1987) was born into a modest family and quickly discovered a passion for drawing and painting. After studying at the Académie Royale des Beaux-Arts et Arts Décoratifs in Brussels, André Masson moved to Paris in 1912.

André Masson was initially influenced by Braque and Picasso. He joined the Surrealist circle in the 1920s and became an active member of the movement.

Born in 1924, following internal dissensions within the Dada group, surrealism is associated with the context of automatism to recover the full freedom of the individual. Its aim is to transcribe and collect raw thought directly connected to the sources of the unconscious. Surrealism hypothesizes a creative force rooted in the unconscious and aims to liberate it. By abandoning the keys of reason, the Surrealists wished to go beyond the criteria of morality and art to access unbridled psychic activity. André Masson played an active part in this polymorphous movement, which brought together Max Ernst, Joan Miro, Dali and René Magritte, to name but a few visual artists. His aura grew, and he earned a reputation for his "sand" paintings and "automatic" drawings.

In 1941, Masson left with Breton and his Surrealist counterparts for the United States to escape the war. André Masson's artistic creations stimulated the imagination of young American abstract expressionist painters, notably Jackson Pollock. After the war, the artist returned to his homeland and settled in Aix-en-Provence. His art underwent a radical stylistic shift, as he turned to Impressionism and Chinese painting. 

André Masson's imprint on his time

Recognized as one of the most important artists of his time, André Masson has received numerous awards for his work.  

Leaving behind a significant artistic legacy, he is considered a great master of Surrealist art. His works are highly prized at auction and sought after by many collectors.

His signature

Not all André Masson's works are signed.

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

Appraising your property

If you happen to own a work by or after André Masson, don't hesitate to request a free appraisal by filling in 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 value of your work, as well as any relevant information about it. If you're thinking of selling your work, our specialists will also help you find alternatives to sell it at the best possible price, taking into account market trends and specificities.