Rating and value of old paintings

If you own an old painting and would like to know its value, our state-approved experts and auctioneers can offer you their expert appraisal services.

Our specialists will carry out a free appraisal of your object, and provide you with a precise estimate of its value on today's market. Then, if you wish to sell your painting, we will guide you towards the best possible means of obtaining the best possible price.

The price of a painting can vary widely, depending on the artist's identity, its state of preservation, the school of painting and the subject depicted.

Rating and value of an old painting

Antique paintings are quite expensive. The price at which they sell on the art and auction market ranges from €10 to €20,000, for unattributed paintings, a considerable delta but one that says a lot about the value that can be attributed to your paintings.

They are prized by buyers of all nationalities, and are of interest to some collectors because they are often less expensive than masterpieces when the artist is not identified.

In 2012, an oil on canvas by a follower of the Flemish painter Ambrosius Benson sold for €20,500, against an estimate of €15,000-20,000.

Order of value from the simplest to the most prestigious painting, for artists not identified by school

Reasons to have an antique painting appraised at auction

If you own an antique painting, you may be unaware of its true value. Many owners underestimate the importance of having these works appraised, sometimes thinking that an unsigned painting is of no interest.

However, the absence of a signature does not necessarily mean that the work is worthless. In some cases, specialized experts are able to identify the artist from stylistic or technical details, even if his or her name is not clearly inscribed.

Having a painting appraised can reveal some surprises. If the artist is listed on the auction market, the value of the work could rise considerably.

It's not uncommon for paintings that were once overlooked or poorly appraised to fetch much higher sums than expected once authenticated and offered at auction.

It's a situation that occurs regularly when little-known works are attributed to artists whose stock has risen, whether they be Renaissance painters or more recent artists.

Even when the artist remains unidentifiable, expertise often makes it possible to situate the work within a particular school or artistic movement. This too can influence the value of the piece.

For example, a painting attributed to the Flemish or Italian school of the 17th century could attract the attention of collectors, even without a precise name.

The stylistic characteristics of a particular school, whether in terms of color treatment, composition or architectural details, can be enough to arouse the interest of the art market.

In addition to its monetary value, having an antique painting appraised also offers an opportunity to learn more about its history and origin. The appraisal can reveal hidden aspects of the work, such as old restorations or elements concealed beneath the visible paint.

This approach goes beyond the simple question of price: it allows us to better understand and appreciate the artistic heritage of a work.

In short, having an old painting appraised is an essential step for anyone looking to sell a work, preserve it or simply find out its true value. It can prove invaluable, both financially and culturally.

Defining an old painting

An antique painting is distinguished by its creation in a bygone era, often marked by artistic currents that have shaped the history of art. It is a work of art painted on a flat surface, usually canvas, wood panel or even metal plate.

These works, which date back several centuries, are the work of artists who have immortalized their vision of the world through a variety of scenes: from daily life to portraits, landscapes and still lifes, each painting reflects the era and artistic currents of its time.

An early painting is generally defined as a work created before and including the 18th century. This chronological criterion remains flexible, however, and can sometimes include works from the early 19th century, when late figurative academicism was still dominant.

Although these paintings come from a century of transition to modernism, they can be considered old under certain conditions.

However, this categorization must be made with care, as the 19th century also saw the emergence of movements such as Romanticism, which, while continuing certain traditions, marked a break with the more classical styles of previous centuries.

Romantic paintings, with their exploration of human emotions and the wilderness, are sometimes also classified as antique, especially when associated with traditional artists or trends.

This period, while paving the way for the twentieth-century avant-gardes, remains rooted in a sensibility close to past centuries, which explains why some Romantic works can be found in the antique painting categories.

Thus, the definition of an antique painting is based not only on its age, but also on the aesthetic trends to which it belongs. The techniques used, the quality of execution and the materials employed are also decisive criteria.

A well-preserved antique painting can not only have inestimable artistic value, but also offer a valuable window on the history and artistic developments of its era.

It is this combination of technique, subject and period that gives each antique painting its unique character, sought after by collectors and art lovers alike.

The historical value of old paintings

Antique paintings are much more than works of art: they are silent witnesses to history, capturing not only moments of everyday life, but also the events, beliefs and customs that marked their era.

These works, painted centuries earlier, accurately depict the lifestyles and social transformations of their time, while immortalizing characters or historical events of major importance.

Notable examples include portraits of sovereigns, such as Charles Martin's lifetime portrait of King Henry VI in armor, or Titian's majestic composition, Charles V on horseback at Mülhberg, immortalizing a victory for propaganda purposes.

Ultimately, these paintings are archives and visual documents that offer a profound understanding of the evolution of society and the great milestones of history.

In works such as The Battle of Taillebourg led by Saint Louis, artists like Eugène Delacroix have revisited historical events while infusing them with a unique dramatic and emotional dimension, reinforcing the painting's impact on the viewer.

The influence of history on art doesn't stop there. More contemporary artists, such as Jean-Michel Basquiat, have also drawn on the past to create works that, while inspired by ancient events, remain resolutely modern in their execution.

His abstract composition depicting the Medici family tree, although created in the last century, demonstrates this continuity between history and art, while emphasizing that taking inspiration from a past event does not make the work an ancient painting.

In reality, the distinction of an old painting rests on much more than its subject. It is the combination of period of creation, technique and aesthetic trends that truly define a work as old.

By their very presence, these ancient paintings offer a deeper understanding of humanity's cultural and artistic heritage. They tell stories, but not only those visible on canvas: they are the guardians of a heritage, handed down from generation to generation, reminding us all of the inseparable link between art and history.

The plurality of artistic currents

Naturally, the term "old paintings" covers a whole range of different artistic genres. From the Renaissance to François Boucher or Jean Baptise Greuze, there has been a plurality of ways of painting, and new techniques have emerged.

At Auctie's auctions, old paintings from all over Europe were sold, including religious old paintings, old paintings from the Copenhagen school and old paintings from the United Provinces.

The most common works, however, are still oils on canvas, imbued with the academic canons established throughout Europe.

Rediscovery of a Pierre Mignard at the Musée de Versailles

Preservation and market value

The conservation of old paintings is crucial to the preservation of our artistic heritage.

Private collectors play an important role in this preservation, and auctions of old paintings are often highly publicized, with prices sometimes reaching very high sums, making these works of art sought-after investments.

Signing paintings

Many antique paintings are not signed, and there are sometimes inscriptions of numbers, which can potentially be useful for appraisal. Here's an example.

Find out the exact value of your painting

If you happen to own an old painting, whatever the school, or if you think you might own one, 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 painting, as well as any relevant information.

If you want to sell your product, our specialists will also help you find alternatives to sell it at the best possible price, taking into account market trends.