Rating and value of works, paintings, drawings by the Barbizon School

If you own a painting by the École de Barbizon, and would like to know its value, our state-approved experts and auctioneers will offer you their appraisal services. Our specialists will carry out a free appraisal of your object, and provide you with a precise estimate of its value on the current market. Then, if you wish to sell your painting, we'll guide you towards the best possible means of obtaining the best possible price. The price of a painting can vary greatly, depending on the artist, the state of conservation, the school of painting and the subject depicted.

Rating and value of a Barbizon painting

Paintings by the Barbizon School are often presented at auction. The price at which they sell on the art and auction market ranges from €20 to €70,159,500, a considerable delta but one that says a lot about the value that can be attributed to your paintings. Their value has risen sharply in recent years. In 2022, Francis Picabia's oil on canvas Martigues sold for €58,500.

Order of value from simplest to most prestigious painting

Reasons to appraise a Barbizon painting at auction

If you own a painting by the Barbizon School, you may not be aware of its value. Indeed, even if the painting is not signed, it is possible in some cases to identify the artist. If it's listed on the auction market, then the price could rise very quickly. It is also possible that the artist is not identifiable, and that only the school of the painting is known.

A look back at the history of Barbizon

The Barbizon School, located in the village of Barbizon in France, played a crucial role in 19th-century art history. Founded around 1830, this artistic community brought together a group of French landscape painters, including Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot, Théodore Rousseau, Charles-François Daubigny and many others. These artists rejected the academic conventions of their day to devote themselves to depicting nature and the French countryside in an authentic, immersive way. Their innovative approach to plein-air painting, capturing the changing light, colors and atmospheres of nature, had a considerable influence on the development of landscape art and paved the way for Impressionism to emerge later. The Barbizon School is thus recognized as an essential milestone in the history of European painting, contributing to a new vision of nature and the evolution of modern art.

Characteristics of the Barbizon school 

The Barbizon School is distinguished by several outstanding stylistic features that have contributed to its importance in art history. Firstly, Barbizon artists were pioneers in the use of plein-air painting, preferring to work directly in nature rather than resorting to artificial studio compositions. This approach enabled them to capture the spontaneity of natural light, changing colors and subtle atmospheres.

Another distinctive feature of the Barbizon school was its commitment to depicting the French countryside, particularly the forest of Fontainebleau, with meticulous attention to detail and precision. Barbizon painters favored rural landscapes, majestic trees, tranquil ponds and pastoral scenes, evoking a deep connection with nature and a nostalgia for a rapidly changing rural world.

In terms of color use, Barbizon artists often opted for dark, earthy tones, creating melancholy, contemplative atmospheres in their works. They were also known for their skilful use of texture, creating effects of matter and depth that reinforced the viewer's immersion in the landscape.

Find out the exact value of your painting

If you happen to own a painting by the Barbizon School, or think you might, 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 with an estimate of the market value of your painting, and will provide you with all the relevant information. If you wish to sell your product, you will also be accompanied by our specialists in order to benefit from alternatives for selling it at the best possible price, taking into account the inclinations of the market.