Rating and value of works, sculptures and drawings by Germaine Richier

If you own a work by or about the artist Germaine Richier, and would like to know its value, our state-approved experts and auctioneers can offer you their expertise.

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 want to sell your work, we'll point you in the right direction to get the best possible price for it.

Rating and value of the artist Germaine Richier  

Germaine Richier is one of the most important sculptors of the 20th century. She is one of those artists who cannot be pigeonholed, constantly exploring new horizons and techniques.

Today, prices for his works are soaring exponentially under auctioneers' gavels.

Her bronzes are particularly sought-after, with prices on the art market ranging from €1,350 to €5,271,750 - a considerable delta, but one that speaks volumes about the value that can be attributed to the works of Germaine Richier.

In 2017, the bronze La Tauromachie, dating from 1953, sold for €2,600,000, while its estimate was between €800,000 and €1,200,000.

Order of value from a simple work to the most prestigious

Style and technique of the artist Germaine Richier

Germaine Richier, renowned for her sculptures at the crossroads of expressionism and realism, uses bronze as her main material.

Her work in bronze enables her to create human and animal figures that are both powerful and vulnerable, often marked by deformations that evoke the inner struggle and fragility of existence.

Although she also creates a few sculptures in marble, she does so sparingly, preferring the suppleness and density of bronze to express the full emotional power of her subjects.

His works, long neglected, are now finding new resonance thanks to art institutions striving to bring his unique legacy to light.

Despite the shadow cast by other sculptors, his work is now widely appreciated for its ability to transcend the limits of classical representation.

 The art market continues to recognize the value and originality of his sculptures, which combine precise technical mastery with a profound exploration of the human condition.

Germaine Richier or the artist freed from the shadow of the masters

Germaine Richier (1902-1959) was a renowned French sculptor born in Grans, Bouches-du-Rhône. Known for her unique talent and contribution to twentieth-century sculptural art, she made her mark in a world still dominated by male figures.

Richier studied at the École des Beaux-Arts in Montpellier before joining the studio ofAntoine Bourdellewith whom she perfected her skills.

Although her work was influenced by her master, she quickly freed herself to develop a deeply personal style.

She is known for her bronze sculptures, in which the human and the animal merge in distorted, expressive and often disturbing forms.

Richier, unlike some of her contemporaries, never remained in the shadow of her influences, even if her art was slow to gain full recognition. Like Camille Claudel facing Rodinher work has sometimes been relegated to the background, eclipsed by the giants of sculpture.

Yet his innovative style, characterized by angular, organic forms, helped redefine modern sculpture.

Despite the obstacles she faced as a woman artist, Germaine Richier was able to impose her vision on the art world. Although recognition was not immediate, her work is celebrated today for its singularity and depth.

She has succeeded in imposing her own voice, far removed from convention, offering an intense reflection on the fragility of the human being, which still resonates today.

Visit to the Germaine Richier exhibition at Pompidou

Germaine Richier's imprint on her era 

Germaine Richier had a profound impact on her era, making a singular contribution to twentieth-century sculpture, although her recognition only reached its peak after her death.

His works, characterized by an organic style blending figuration and abstraction, have influenced many contemporary artists and changed the perception of modern sculpture.

Today, Germaine Richier's value on the art market is constantly on the rise, reflecting growing recognition of her creative genius thanks to her unique temperament .

Germaine Richier manages to mix references to the human body and the plant world, while revisiting iconographies traditionally associated with men and women.

In 1956, she was the first artist to be exhibited at the Musée d'Art Moderne in Paris, in the field of sculpture. Her work recently came back into the spotlight thanks to a retrospective at the Centre Pompidou, which put the spotlight on this exceptional artist.

His sculptures, long underestimated, are now fetching record prices at auction. Works such as Le Griffu and La Mante regularly sell for impressive sums, illustrating the growing interest of collectors and museums in his work.

The rarity of his pieces on the market, particularly his bronzes, contributes to this rise in value. The rediscovery of his work through exhibitions and in-depth studies has solidified his place among the great masters of twentieth-century sculpture.

In short, Germaine Richier, once marginalized, is now considered a key figure in modern art, and her works have become prized gems on the contemporary market.

Focus on the gilded bronze Chauve-souris by Germaine Richier

Germaine Richier's sculpture La Chauve-Souris is emblematic of her unique artistic vision, where humanity and animality mingle in a striking dance.

At first glance, this captivating piece seems frozen in a moment of suspension, oscillating between light and shadow.

Richier captures the very essence of metamorphosis. The figure, half-human, half-animal, emerges from a rich, raw texture, while its outstretched wings, though ragged, evoke a certain majesty.

This duality creates a palpable tension, as if the creature were both ready to take flight and trapped in its own body.

True to his style, Richier plays with organic forms, avoiding an overly realistic representation. The lines, both delicate and powerful, sculpt a silhouette that transcends the simple animal to become a symbol of fragility and strength.

Every detail, every asperity, contributes to a complex visual narrative, prompting the viewer to question the very nature of existence.

The material, in this case gilded bronze, enriches the sculpture with a particular depth. The shine of the metal catches the light, revealing golden nuances that mingle with the shadows, creating an intriguing play of reflections.

Richier skilfully uses this material to suggest an inner world, a spiritual essence that goes beyond the tangible.

The irregular, textured surface invites contemplation. It embodies the struggle of the human being against the invisible forces that surround him, as if every hollow and every relief bore witness to a lived history.

The eye wanders to the smallest details, discovering a poetry hidden in this apparent simplicity.

The face, barely sketched, hints at a complex yet mysterious interiority. Rather than giving an obvious expression, Richier chooses an abstraction that allows each viewer to project his or her own emotions and reflections.

This approach lends La Chauve-Souris a touching universality, inviting everyone to explore their own inner world.

This work perfectly embodies Germaine Richier's approach, which, far from excess, achieves a rare depth by focusing on the essence of life and emotion.

La Chauve-Souris becomes a timeless reflection on the human condition, where the union of movement and immobility, lightness and weight, is transformed into a true masterpiece.

Recognizing Germaine Richier's signature

The artist often signs his sculptures "G. Richier" in small letters on the base. Copies may exist, so expert appraisal is important.

Knowing the value of a work

If you happen to own a work by or after Germaine Richier, 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're thinking of selling your work of art, our specialists will also be on hand to help you find alternatives for selling it at the best possible price, taking market trends into account.