Rating and value of works, drawings, paintings by Étienne Dinet

If you own a work by or based on the work of artist Etienne Alphonse Dinet 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 value and rating 

On the art market, Dinet's works are surely the most sought-after and appreciated in the Orientalist painting category. His most successful works are his depictions of Berber culture, as well as some of his nudes. Some exceptional paintings sell for several hundred thousand euros at auction, as demonstrated by his painting Le fils d'un saint Marabeth, which sold for over a million euros in 2019.

Order of value from the most basic to the most prestigious

Artist's style and technique

Dinet's works are characterized by the use of rich, vibrant colors and meticulous attention to detail. Through his compositions, the artist manages to convey the poetry and emotion of these scenes of daily life, offering a unique insight into Algeria and its people.

The life of Étienne Alphonse Dinet 

Étienne Alphonse Dinet (1861-1929), from a wealthy family, developed an interest in Oriental art and culture while still a student. On the eve of his 19th birthday, he took a trip to Algeria. Immediately fascinated by the beauty of the landscape and the richness of Arab culture, this experience marked the beginning of his deep commitment and support for Algeria and its people.

Dinet's early career was characterized by religious paintings (such as Le Golgotha and Saint Julien l'Hospitalier). However, following the discovery of the Sahara, he broke with his predecessors and the academic tradition of religious painting.

From the 1880s onwards, his attention turned to Algerian traditions and stories, which gave him a new impetus. With his sharp eye for the nuances of southern light, the Orientalist painter painted ethnographic portraits and landscapes. He converts to Islam.

Over the years, Dinet returned regularly to Algeria. He studied the Arabic language, religion and local traditions. He developed close ties with the North African community. These intimate experiences nourished his artistic work, enabling him to capture with great acuity the beauty of landscapes, scenes of rural life and portraits of local people. He thus became an indisputable figure of French Orientalism. 

Nevertheless, he returned to France several times to exhibit his work at the Galerie Georges Petit and in the Salons. He founded the Société Nationale des Beaux-Arts with several artists, including Auguste Rodin and Carolus-Duran. He was also one of the founders of the Société des peintres orientalistes français.

He died in 1930, and an official funeral was organized in Algeria, attended by the Governor.

Étienne Dinet's imprint on his period 

In addition to his fine art, Dinet published works on Arab culture. His most famous book, "L'opium et le Pinceau" (Opium and Paintbrush), recounts his adventures and reflections on life in Algeria.

Étienne Alphonse Dinet played an important role in the promotion and recognition of Arab culture in France. His work has been reconstructed and exhibited.

Today, Étienne Alphonse Dinet's works continue to be admired and appreciated for their beauty, authenticity and contribution to the representation of Arab culture.

His signature

Not all Etienne Dinet's works are signed. He usually signs: "E. Dinet" in the lower right-hand corner of his canvases. 

Appraising your property

If you happen to own a work by or after Etienne Alphonse Dinet, don't hesitate to request a free appraisal by filling in our form on our website. A member of our team of experts and certified auctioneers will contact you promptly with an estimate of the value of your work, and will provide you with all the relevant information. If you're thinking of selling your work, our specialists will also be on hand to offer you alternatives for selling it at the best possible price, taking into account market trends and specificities.