Rating and value of paintings, drawings and watercolors by Yves Brayer

Rating and value of paintings, drawings and watercolors by Yves Brayer

Key takeaways

  • Yves Brayer's works sell for between €30 and €47,260, with his oil-on-canvas paintings commanding the highest prices on the current market.
  • The figurative artist (1907–1990) was particularly skilled at painting landscapes in oil on canvas and watercolor, with his market value peaking in the 2000s.
  • In 2020, a Provençal landscape exceeded its initial estimate, selling for €16,000 instead of the projected €12,000–€15,000.

If you own a work by or after Yves Brayer, 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 work, and provide you with a precise estimate of its current market value. Then, if you wish to sell your work, we will guide you towards the best possible arrangement to obtain the optimum price.

Rating and value of the artist Yves Brayer

The artist Yves Brayer leaves behind a very singular body of work, in the figurative art movement. Today, prices for his works are rising under the auctioneer's hammer. His paintings are particularly prized, especially by French buyers. The price at which they sell on the art market ranges from €30 to €47,260, a significant gap but one that speaks volumes about the value that can be attributed to Yves Brayer's works. In 2020, an oil on canvas depicting a Provencal landscape sold for €16,000, whereas its estimate was between €12,000 and €15,000. In the 2000s, Brayer's works were at their peak. Yet they are not rare in auction rooms, and collectors still seek them out.

Order of value from a single work to the most prestigious

Technique used

Result

Estamp - multiple

From €30 to €8,080

Drawing - watercolor

From €30 to €16,770

Oil on canvas

From €70 to €47,260

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Style and technique of artist Yves Brayer

Yves Brayer chooses to remain within the academic canons acquired during his training at the Ecole Supérieure des Beaux-Arts. He thus belongs to the figurative art movement, and stands out remarkably with the technique of oil on canvas but also thanks to his watercolors depicting landscapes, with a very soft and elegant atmosphere.

Yves Brayer, huile sur toile

Yves Brayer, forgotten figure of the twentieth century

Yves Brayer (1907-1990), a Parisian artist, has become an important and largely forgotten figure of contemporary twentieth-century art. Born in Versailles, he was destined for a military career. From an early age, he produced sketches during his travels. His mother recognized his talent and enrolled him in the Beaux-Arts school in Bourges. At the time, he still intended to join the army. However, a horse-riding accident prevented him from doing so. He continued his art studies in Paris when his father was posted there. In addition to the Ecole Supérieure des Beaux-Arts, he attended the Academies de la Grande Chaumière and Montparnasse. He soon made a name for himself, exhibiting at the Salon d'Automne while still a student. The State granted him a scholarship to go to Spain, where he perfected his training with the great influences of Madrid's Prado. His early career was marked by travel.

Like Delacroix, he traveled not only to Morocco, but also to Italy, a sacred stage in the careers of painters even in the 20th century. Naturally, he stayed at the Villa Medici, where his work was nourished by the company of other artists in residence with him. He returned to Paris, which would remain the nerve center of his career. He leaves for Provence for a while, to find a new source of inspiration. He won several prizes throughout his career, including the Prix de Rome. Thanks to his talent and technical mastery of academic canons, he was elected a member of the Académie des Beaux-Arts in 1957. Until the end of his career, he traveled the world, working in the Middle East, Japan, Latin America and throughout Europe.

Yves Brayer's imprint on twentieth-century art

Yves Brayer, unlike the Fauvists or Cubists, remained within the comfort of the academic canons, which still appealed to the most conservative at the time. He was known and recognized during his lifetime, and was influential in academic circles. His work was somewhat forgotten, as his century was marked by numerous artistic revolutions. However, he passed on his technique and his inspiration from reality to his many pupils. Today, his works are still prized and in demand by some collectors.

Recognizing the artist's signature

Yves Brayer's works are generally signed in the lower right-hand corner of the painting, with a color that contrasts with the background. He signs " Yves Brayer ".

Signature de Yves Brayer

Knowing the value of a work

If you happen to own a work by or after Yves Brayer, don't hesitate to request a free valuation using our 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 work, as well as any relevant information about it. If you wish to sell your work, you will also be accompanied by our specialists in order to benefit from alternatives to sell it at the best possible price, taking into account the inclinations of the market.

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Frequently asked questions

  • Who is Yves Brayer, and what is his artistic background?
    Yves Brayer (1907–1990) was a Parisian painter trained at the École des Beaux-Arts, an important but overlooked figure in 20th-century figurative art. Unlike the avant-garde movements of his time (Fauvism, Cubism), he chose to remain within the academic tradition, which earned him recognition during his lifetime and led to his election to the Académie des Beaux-Arts in 1957. His works, inspired by his many travels to Spain, Italy, Morocco, and beyond, are characterized by landscapes with gentle and elegant atmospheres.
  • What is the price range for Yves Brayer's works?
    The prices of Yves Brayer’s works vary significantly depending on the medium: prints range from €30 to €8,080, drawings and watercolors from €30 to €16,770, and oil paintings on canvas from €70 to €47,260. His paintings, particularly those depicting Provençal landscapes, are especially sought after and command the highest prices on the art market.
  • How can you authenticate a work by Yves Brayer?
    To authenticate and appraise a work by Yves Brayer, we recommend that you request a free appraisal from Auctie's using the form on our website. A certified expert or auctioneer will contact you promptly to analyze the work, verify its authenticity, and provide you with an accurate estimate of its current market value, with no obligation on your part.
  • Is this the right time to sell a work by Yves Brayer?
    Yes, now is a good time to sell a work by Yves Brayer. His market value has been rising for several years, and his paintings remain highly sought after by collectors, particularly in France. Although the artist was somewhat forgotten by the general public during the 20th century, his figurative works—executed with masterful academic techniques—are once again attracting growing interest in the art market.
  • How does the appraisal process work at Auctie's?
    Appraisals at Auctie's are free and non-binding. You fill out a form on our website with information and photos of your artwork, and then a certified expert or auctioneer will contact you within 48 hours to conduct the appraisal. If you wish to sell, we will then guide you toward the best strategy to get the highest possible price, taking into account current market trends.