Ratings and values of paintings by Jean-Paul Riopelle

If you own a work by or based on the artist Jean-Paul Riopelle 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 current market value. 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

A great master of Surrealism and the Automatist group, Jean-Paul Riopelle made his mark on the art market in the early 20th century. The prices his works fetch under the auctioneer's hammer range from €5 to €4,347,500 - a considerable difference, but one that speaks volumes about the value that can be attributed to Jean-Paul Riopelle's works. In 2022, his oil on canvas Autriche III, dating from 1959, sold for €4,347,500, whereas it was estimated at between €2,306,100 and €3,478,050. 

Order of value from simplest to most prestigious work

Artist's style and technique

Jean-Paul Riopelle was a member of the Automatist group, led by Paul-Émile Borduas, which opposed figuratism and geometric abstraction. This had a major influence on his early career, before he turned to Surrealism. He works in a variety of media, and produces some sculptures, although most of his work focuses on flat surfaces: printmaking, drawing, oil on canvas.

The life of Jean-Paul Riopelle

Jean-Paul Riopelle (1923-2002) was a Quebec painter who produced surrealist works.

He was born in Montreal, where he began his artistic training with painter Henri Bisson, a teacher at Saint Louis de Gonzague. He kept in touch with him for a long time, painting alongside him.

He attended the École Polytechnique de Montréal, and lost his brother during this period. After this ordeal, he decided to abandon architecture and devote himself solely to painting.

He signs the Refus Global manifesto with members of the Automatistes group.

In 1947, Riopelle moved to Paris and turned to Surrealism after meeting André Breton. Like Jacques Germain, he used new painting techniques, notably paint spraying and the use of knives. He came to prominence thanks to Pierre Loeb, who bought a large part of his production, and began producing sculptures, which he exhibited with the help and assistance of Sam Szafran.

His career took a turn when he traveled to the United States and met Joan Mitchell, who was to have a lasting influence on his work. They produced works and worked together during their relationship in Paris. After their separation, he returned permanently to Canada.

He continued to produce until his death in 2002, when his country gave him a state funeral.

Riopelle's imprint on his time

Jean-Paul Riopelle succeeds in creating a unique style of painting that reflects the energy of his time, and makes unrestrained use of contrasts of form and color, the keystone of his artistic style.

The artist became a major player in the avant-garde, and the ensemble enabled him to develop his theory of contrasts, opposing straight and curved lines, flat and modelled surfaces, while producing remarkable works resulting from his collaboration with Mitchell.

His signature

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 Jean-Paul Riopelle, 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.