Rating and value of paintings by Nicolas Kalmakoff
Key takeaways
- Oil-on-canvas paintings by Nicolas Kalmakoff, a Russian Symbolist artist (1873–1955), sell for between €10 and €6,400,000 at auction.
- His painting "Skeletons Holding Masks" (1891) fetched €6,400,000 in 2016, far exceeding its initial estimate of €1 to 1.5 million.
- His drawings and watercolors fall within a lower price range, ranging from €560 to €212,540 depending on quality and subject matter.
If you own a work by artist Nicolas Kalmakoff or based on his work and would like to know its value, our state-approved experts and auctioneers will guide 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. Thereafter, if you wish to sell your work, we will direct you to the best possible arrangement to obtain the optimum price.
Artist's rating and value
On the auction market, Nicolas Kalmakoff's works are uncommon and quite prized by collectors. The most sought-after works are oils on canvas, selling on the auction market for between €10 and €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 evidenced 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
Technique used | Result |
|---|---|
Drawing - watercolor | From €560 to €212,540 |
Oil on canvas | From €300 to €315,090 |
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Artist's style and technique
Nicolas Kalmakoff is part of the Symbolist movement. He works with drawing and oil on canvas, where he employs many motifs inspired by spirituality, the occult and sexuality. He often depicts nudes, working a lot with warm nuances as well as on the light-dark contrast.
The career of Nicolas Kalmakoff
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 St. Petersburg and Moscow. He produced his drawings and paintings on his own, but collaborated with theaters, for whom he produced costumes used in private performances, given their taboo nature.
He was called up to fight in the First World War, but remained at the front for only a short time as he was wounded. In 1920, during the civil war in Russia, like many of his fellow artists, Kalmanoff moved to France. He was unable to achieve the fame he had in Russia as a set designer.
He died in a retirement home in France in 1955, isolated from the world.
The legacy of Nicolas Kalmakoff
Nicolas Kalmakoff did not mark 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. A few of his works are preserved in museums in Russia, but private collectors play the greatest role in the preservation of his work.
His signature
Nicholas Kalmakoff's works are not all signed. If you own a work by Nicolas Kalmakoff, it is advisable to have it appraised.
Expertise your property
If you happen to own a work by Nicolas Kalmakoff, ask for a free appraisal without delay, 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 value of your work, as well as any relevant information about it. If you are considering selling your work of art, our specialists will also work with you to provide you with alternatives for selling it at the best possible price.
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Frequently asked questions
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Who is Nicolas Kalmakoff, and what is his artistic background?Nicolas Kalmakoff (1873–1955) was a 20th-century Russian Symbolist artist born in Nervi, Italy. He moved to Russia in 1890 and pursued a career between St. Petersburg and Moscow, working primarily for the theater. After the Russian Revolution, he went into exile in France in 1920, where he died in isolation in 1955. His works, discovered long after his death, are now highly prized by collectors.
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What are the prices and values of Nicolas Kalmakoff's paintings?Nicolas Kalmakoff’s works are rare and highly sought after. His oil-on-canvas paintings, his most prized creations, sell for between €300 and €315,090, while his drawings and watercolors range from €560 to €212,540. Some major works can fetch millions of euros: for example, his painting “Skeletons Stopping Masks” (1891) sold for €6,400,000 in 2016.
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How can you authenticate a work by Nicolas Kalmakoff?We recommend that you request a free, no-obligation appraisal from our state-certified experts and auctioneers. Fill out our online form to request an appraisal: a specialist will contact you shortly and provide you with an accurate valuation, along with relevant information about your artwork.
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When is the best time to sell a work by Nicolas Kalmakoff?Now is an excellent time to sell a work by this Symbolist artist. The auction market shows sustained interest in his works, which remain relatively rare. The gradual rediscovery of Kalmakoff among collectors and institutions ensures stable demand and the opportunity to achieve the best possible price for your piece.
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How does the appraisal process work at Auctie's, and how do I sell my artwork?The appraisal is free and non-binding: simply submit your request via our online form, and our experts will contact you within 48 hours with an accurate valuation. If you’d like to sell, we’ll guide you every step of the way, offering the best solutions to sell your artwork at the best price, right through to its sale at auction.
