Rating and value of paintings by Joseph Sima

A major painter of the Grand Jeu in the 20th century, Joseph Sima (1881-1971) is best known for his paintings and drawings.

If you own a work by or based on the work of artist Joseph Sima 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

A surrealist painter, Joseph Sima has established himself as a major figure on the art market. His works are highly valued by collectors. His works are exclusively oil on canvas, and sell for between €10 and €1,198,490 - a relatively wide range, but one that says a lot about the price these works can fetch. For example, a work signed or attributed to Sima can fetch thousands of euros at auction, as evidenced by his predominantly green oil on canvas sold for €1,198,490 in 2018.  

Order of value from the most basic to the most prestigious

The life of Joseph Sima

Joseph Sima was born in the Czech Republic, in the region of the Castle of the Kings.

He attended the School of Applied Arts and the Academy of Fine Arts in Prague, and was a member of the Devetsil group founded in 1920. He became the group's correspondent in Paris, where he rubbed shoulders with a number of personalities from the magazine L'Esprit nouveau.

In 1926, he met Max Ernst and André Breton, eminent representatives of the Surrealist movement. He went on to found Le Grand jeu, a magazine that would also become an artistic movement. He collaborated with Pierre Jean Jouve to illustrate his works. The group used extrasensory exploration of art to recapture childhood emotions. Later, they conducted research into the subconscious and automatic writing.

He remained connected with Prague's poetic avant-garde throughout his life, collaborating with these artists.

Few details are known about the rest of his life.

Auctie's recently presented one of his paintings for sale - a simple, gentle, poetic composition.

The artist's works and style

Joseph Sima's work is characterized by perpetual experimentation with surrealism. Today, he is not well known to the general public, but appreciated and sought after by collectors.

Although some of his paintings and drawings are held in museums in France and around the world, private collectors play a major role in preserving his work.  

His signature 

Joseph Sima's works are not all signed.

If you think you own one, it's best to have it appraised to be sure of its originality.

Appraising your property

If you own a work by Joseph Sima, please feel free to request a free appraisal by filling out our online form. A member of our team of experts and certified auctioneers will contact you to provide an estimate of the market value of your Sima work.

If you are considering selling your work, our specialists will also guide you through the various alternatives available to obtain the best possible price, taking into account market trends and the specific features of each work.