Here's why the value of lyrical abstraction artists will continue to rise

Here's why the value of lyrical abstraction artists will continue to rise 

Far from the spotlight in the 1980s, the major figures of lyrical abstraction are now enjoying a fairly sustained revival of interest. Buoyed by institutions, major sales and the return of a taste for matter and gesture, their value is on an upward trajectory.

A favorable historical rereading in the post-geometric context

Lyrical abstraction was long overshadowed by geometric abstraction (De Stijl, Bauhaus, constructivism...). It is now recognized as one of the two great paths of post-war European abstraction.

In the 2000s, art historians re-evaluated the impact of Georges Mathieu, Gérard Schneider, Hans Hartung, Olivier Debré, Pierre Soulages or Zao Wou-Ki, highlighting their links with the history of calligraphy, the pictorial gesture and music.

The success of exhibitions such as l'Envolée lyrique (Musée du Luxembourg, 2006), Hartung et la musique (2020), Georges Mathieu (2025, Monnaie de Paris) and the rediscovery of the CoBrA group have helped to reposition these artists within the mainstream of European abstraction, between Abstract Expressionism and Tachism. As a result, the historical recognition of this current has built a solid foundation for long-term appreciation.

Artists now included in leading museum collections

Many museums, including the Centre Pompidou, the Musée d'Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris, the Tate Moderne and the Guggenheim, have works by Soulages, Hartung, Bryen, Wols and Atlan in their major collections.

The creation of the Fondation Hartung-Bergman in Antibes, the opening of the Musée Soulages in Rodez and major international retrospectives (Soulages at the Louvre in 2019, Hartung in Paris also in 2019) have also helped to consolidate their recognition.

These institutions act as agents of legitimization with private buyers, permanently inscribing these artists in the global artistic landscape.

Plastic material in line with contemporary taste

Collectors' taste since 2010 has been returning to material, gesture and the relationship to the body. These are elements that structure the current of lyrical abstraction.

In contrast to geometric abstraction, which is colder and more systemic, lyrical abstraction elicits an immediate sensitive reception, making it attractive to new collectors, not least in emerging markets (Asia, Middle East).

Zao Wou-Ki, for example, who embodies a synthesis of Western gesturality and Chinese void thinking, has enjoyed a spectacular takeoff : his painting 29.09.64 sold for $26 million at Sotheby's in Hong Kong in 2021.

What appeals about lyrical abstraction is the visual and emotional plasticity of the works, which enhances their power of attraction.

A limited supply for a growing demand

Many artists who were part of lyrical abstraction are now deceased, and their production is known and stabilized, sometimes distributed in well-managed estates or already museumized.

This process creates a classic effect of controlled rarity. With Hartung, important works are already in museums, the catalog raisonné is complete and the foundation is active. With Soulages, who died recently, in 2022, the major works have already been acquired, and the market is experiencing a scarcity of his large formats.

Meanwhile, international demand is increasing  there is strong growth in Asia (particularly for Zao Wou-Ki and Hans Hartung). These works are also arousing new interest in the United States (magazines and museums are rediscovering the parallels with abstract expressionism). The tension between fixed supply and growing demand is thus causing upward pressure on prices.

A robust and documented price dynamic

For Hans Hartung, his work T1989-R41 sold for €2.7M at Sotheby's in Paris in 2021, the average price for a work by the artist has increased fourfold since 2010.

For Soulages, his painting entitled 195 x 130 cm, August 4, 1961, sold for €20.1M at Christie's, making it the record in 2021. Since the exhibition at the Louvre in 2019, bids have regularly exceeded €5M.

For Georges Mathieu, Souvenir de la Maison d'Autriche sold for €2.3M in 2022, a rise fueled by an international rereading of abstract Baroque.

The work of Gérard Schneider is still relatively affordable, but large formats, pre-1955 are now breaking the €300,000 barrier. Demand is growing, especially from German and Swiss buyers.

The market for these artists is following a model of gradual and lasting appreciation, supported by public sales and placement in quality private collections.

A fundamental trend rather than a fad

The rise of lyrical abstraction is structural : it is based on the redefinition of contemporary taste, the revaluation of gesture and a historical rereading supported by museums.

The market today responds coherently to these dynamics : controlled increase, growing rarity and institutional visibility.

There is every indication, therefore, that the artists of this movement, too long undervalued in relation to their real weight in art history, will continue to gain in recognition, visibility and also price.