Rating and value of paintings by Nicolas Kalmakoff

If you own a work by or based on the work of artist Nicolas Kalmakoff 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

On the auction market, Nicolas Kalmakoff's works are uncommon and quite sought-after by collectors. The most sought-after works are oils on canvas, with auction prices ranging from €10 to €6,400,000 - a substantial delta, but one that speaks volumes about the value that can be attributed to the artist's works. For example, a painting by Kalmakoff can fetch millions of euros in the auction room, as demonstrated by his painting Squelettes arrêtant masques, dating from 1891, which sold for €6,400,000 in 2016, whereas it was estimated at between €1,000,000 and €1,500,000. 

Order of value from the most basic to the most prestigious

Artist's style and technique

Nicolas Kalmakoff is part of the Symbolist movement. He works with drawing and oil on canvas, employing many motifs inspired by spirituality, the occult and sexuality. He often depicts nudes, working with warm nuances and light-dark contrasts.

Nicolas Kalmakoff's career   

Nicolas Kalmakoff (1873-1955) was a 20th-century Russian symbolist artist.

Born in Nervi, he was descended from a general who had settled in Italy. His governess read him fairy tales as a child, particularly those by the Brothers Grimm, which probably sparked his interest in the occult. In 1890, his family moved back to Russia, where he graduated from the Imperial School of Jurisprudence.

During the first part of his career, he worked in Russia, between Saint Petersburg and Moscow. He produced his drawings and paintings alone, but collaborated with theaters, for which he produced costumes used in private performances, given their taboo nature.

He was called up to fight in the First World War, but did not stay long at the front, as he was wounded. In 1920, during the Russian Civil War, like many of his colleagues, Kalmanoff moved to France. He was unable to achieve the notoriety he had gained in Russia as a set designer.

He died in a retirement home in France in 1955, isolated from the world.

Nicolas Kalmakoff's legacy

Nicolas Kalmakoff did not make his mark on his era, dying unknown to the general public, having never really enjoyed success. His works were discovered seven years after his death by collectors at a Paris flea market. Some of his works are preserved in museums in Russia, but private collectors play the greatest role in preserving his work.

His signature

Not all Nicolas Kalmakoff's works are signed. If you own a work by the artist, it is advisable to have it appraised.

Appraising your property

If you happen to own a Nicolas Kalmakoff work, don't hesitate to request a free appraisal using the form on our website. A member of our team of experts and chartered 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 be on hand to help you find alternative ways of selling it at the best possible price.