Rating and value of Sanyu's drawings, paintings and pictures
Key takeaways
- Works by Sanyu, a Franco-Chinese artist who specializes in nudes, sell for between €100 and 21.3 million euros, depending on the technique used.
- A watercolor drawing by the master fetched 2.1 million euros in 2018, demonstrating a significant rise in his market value in recent years.
- The artist’s oil-on-canvas paintings—the most prestigious medium—fetch between €5,470 and €30.8 million at auction.
If you own a work by or after Sanyu, 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 value on the current market. 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 Sanyu
The artist Sanyu leaves behind a distinctive body of work, composed mainly of Chinese ink drawings. He is Franco-Chinese. The price of his works is now rising under the auctioneer's hammer. The price at which they sell on the art market ranges from €100 to €21,274,110, a significant gap but one that speaks volumes about the value that can be attributed to Sanuy's works. He is especially prized by buyers from Hong Kong, China, Taiwan and France. In 2018, a drawing depicting a double nude or a nude crossing his legs sold for €2,132,770, while it was estimated at between €2,132,770 and €2,932,560. Its value has exploded in recent years.
Order of value from a single work to the most prestigious
Technique used | Result | Estamp - multiple | From €50 to €71,290 |
|---|---|
Drawing - watercolor | From 210 to 2,132,770€ |
Oil on canvas | From 5,470 to 30,833,920€ |
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Style and technique of artist Sanyu
Sanuy is a versatile artist who uses Chinese ink extensively in his drawings, but also oil paint, on a variety of sometimes original supports such as masonite. He has worked mainly on body studies and nudes.
Sanyu's life
Sanyu was born in Nanchong in 1907, in a province in southern China. He learns some painting techniques from his father at an early age. His brother manages one of the city's largest silk companies, which operates remarkably well and allows him to devote himself fully to his artistic production. He studied calligraphy and painting while simultaneously attending Shanghai University.
He then traveled to Japan and France, where he settled. In Paris, he studied at the Académie de la Grande Chaumière. He was one of the first twentieth-century Chinese artists to settle in Paris throughout his career and to produce most of his work there, with others such as Chu Teh Chun following suit.
Most of his work focuses on the body and the nude, both female and male.
He died in 1966 in his Paris studio, due to a gas leak. His works are sold at public auction at Drouot without any advertising or catalog.
Sanyu's imprint on his period
Sanyu was not a well-known artist of his time, he was never really able to make a living from his passion, the critics never took notice of him during his lifetime. The Musée Guimet devoted an exhibition to him in 2004, entitled L'écriture du corps. To this day, most of his works are held by private collectors.
Today, the artist stands out on the international auction scene, with his works fetching record sums in recent years.
Recognizing the artist's signature
Sanyu signs his works most of the time. However, it is essential to have your work appraised to be sure of its originality. What's more, there are naturally many copies.
Knowing the value of a work
If you happen to own a work by Sanyu or after the artist, don't hesitate to request a free appraisal 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
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Who is Sanyu, and what is her artistic background?Sanyu (1907–1966) was a Franco-Chinese artist born in Nanchong, China. He was one of the first Chinese artists of the 20th century to settle in Paris and pursue his entire career there, studying at the Académie de la Grande Chaumière. His work focuses primarily on the study of the human form and nudes, created mainly in Indian ink, watercolor, and oil on canvas. Although he received little recognition during his lifetime, his works are now highly valued on the international art market.
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What is the price range for Sanyu's works based on the technique used?The prices of Sanyu’s works vary considerably depending on the technique used: prints sell for between €50 and €71,290, drawings and watercolors between €210 and €2,132,770, and oil paintings on canvas between €5,470 and €30,833,920. This wide range reflects the importance of factors such as the subject matter, size, condition, and provenance of the work.
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How can a work attributed to Sanyu be authenticated?To authenticate a work by Sanyu, it is essential to have your piece appraised by certified professionals, as there are many copies in circulation. Auctie's offers a free, no-obligation appraisal conducted by state-certified experts and auctioneers, who will provide you with a response within 48 hours. This appraisal includes verification of the signature—which is typically present on original works—and authentication of the piece.
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Is this the right time to sell a work by Sanyu?Yes, now is an excellent time to sell a work by Sanyu. The artist’s market value has skyrocketed in recent years, with prices rising steadily at public auctions. The international market—particularly in Asia (Hong Kong, China, Taiwan) and France—is showing growing demand for his drawings and paintings, making this a particularly favorable time to sell.
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How does the appraisal and sale of a Sanyu artwork work at Auctie's?At Auctie's, the process is simple and free: you submit a valuation request using our online form. A certified expert or auctioneer will contact you and provide you with an accurate assessment of your artwork’s market value within 48 hours. If you’d like to sell, our specialists will guide you every step of the way to determine the best sales strategy and maximize the hammer price of your piece.
