Rating and value of old Belgian paintings, drawings and engravings by the Antwerp School

If you own a painting by the Antwerp School, and would like to know its value, our state-approved experts and auctioneers can 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 painting by the Antwerp school

Paintings by the Antwerp 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, Rubens' oil on canvas The Massacre of the Innocents sold for €70,159,500.

Order of value from simplest to most prestigious painting

Reasons to have an old Belgian painting appraised at auction

If you own an antique Belgian painting at auction, you may be unaware of its value. Indeed, even if the painting is not signed, it is possible in some cases to identify the artist. If it is listed on the auction market, then the price can 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 Antwerp

The United Provinces were recognized by Spain in 1658, after the Thirty Years' War and the Ghent revolt. This geographical region includes the cities of Haarlem, Antwerp, Utrecht and Amsterdam. Different cities had different pictorial tendencies. Antwerp was first part of the Spanish and then Austrian Netherlands, after the Treaty of Utrecht. The city was occupied by the French revolutionary army, and the Belgian states were soon annexed to France. These lands were then annexed to the Holy Roman Empire. After the Congress of Vienna, the province of Antwerp was recognized as a Dutch province. In 1830, the Belgian Revolution began, and the first King of Belgium, Leopold I, took the throne in 1831. William II of Orange attacked Belgium, but France sent the Army of the North; Belgium has remained independent ever since. Avers is in present-day Belgium, which is why paintings by this school are referred to as Belgian paintings today.

Characteristics and production of the Antwerp school 

Mannerism was in vogue at the Antwerp school, associated with late Gothism. This was a prominent Flemish school of painting in the 16th and 17th centuries, which left a rich artistic legacy of early paintings that continue to captivate art collectors worldwide. This school is notably associated with masters such as Pieter Paul Rubens, Anthony van Dyck, and Jan Brueghel the Elder. Paintings from this period are characterized by their remarkable technical mastery, meticulous attention to detail and masterful use of light and shadow.

Pieter Paul Rubens, an emblematic figure of the Avers school, is renowned for his monumental paintings and his ability to convey human grace in his portraits. His talent for capturing the emotion and psychological depth of characters is evident in works such as The Abduction of the Daughters of Leucippus and The Descent from the Cross. His dynamic compositions and lush color palette define the style of this school.

Jan Brueghel the Elder, nicknamed the "Velvet" for his exceptional meticulousness, is also famous for his exquisite still lifes. He painted a series of botanical and floral pictures of remarkable botanical precision, such as The Garden of Paradise. His works evoke a fascination for nature and a curiosity for exploring the world, reflecting the spirit of the age.

The Avers school also produced countless religious masterpieces, historical scenes and portraits that testify to the diversity of its artistic heritage. These early paintings are not only precious testimonies to the history of Flemish art, but also windows on the life and culture of this flourishing period. They continue to inspire and amaze with their artistic brilliance, sophistication and ability to transcend the boundaries of time to touch those who contemplate and own them.

Find out the exact value of your painting

If you happen to own a Belgian antique painting, 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 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 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.