Rating and value of works, drawings and photographs by Christo and Jeanne Claude
Key takeaways
- Drawings and watercolors by Christo and Jeanne-Claude command the highest prices, ranging from €25 to €1,400,000, such as their drawing *The Umbrellas*, which sold for €1,400,000 in 2021.
- Signed photographs by the couple, highly sought after by collectors of 20th-century contemporary art, sell for between €10,000 and €150,000 depending on their rarity.
- The market value of these major 20th-century artists has been rising in recent years; a free appraisal is recommended to authenticate the works before they are sold.
If you own a work of art by or based on the work of artists Christo and Jeanne Claude 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
The work of Christo and Jeanne Claude is commonplace and highly rated on the auction market. Their works arouse keen interest among collectors and art lovers, particularly those who appreciate 20th-century contemporary art. The most sought-after pieces are photographs signed by the couple. Thus, a work signed by Christo and Jeanne Claude can fetch millions of euros at auction, like their drawing The Umbrellas, adjudged for €1,400,000 in 2021, whereas it was estimated at between €200,000 and €300,000.
Order of value from the most basic to the most prestigious
Technique used | Result |
|---|---|
Photography | From €10 to €150,000 |
Estamp - multiple | From €10 to €170,000 |
Painting | From €10 to €270,755 |
Sculpture - volume | From €10 to €420,000 € |
Drawing - watercolor | From €25 to €1,400,000 |
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Artist's style and technique
Christo and Jeanne Claude have a stylistic identity all their own, and are notably famous for wrapping buildings. They made many preparatory drawings before their project, but also photos during the installation of the ephemeral work, which were and are sold at auction to finance the in situ works.
Style and technique
Christo and Jeanne Claude have a stylistic identity all their own, and are notably famous for wrapping buildings. They made a lot of preparatory drawings before their project, but also photos during the installation of the ephemeral work, which were and are sold at auction to finance the in situ works.
Christo and Jeanne Claude, an unusual artist couple
Christo Javacheff is an artist born in Belgium in 1935. His mother was General Secretary of the Sofia Academy of Fine Arts, and his father ran a textile factory. He had a difficult childhood and began his training at the Sofia Fine Arts Academy. He got into trouble there for going against Communist ideology, which prompted him to leave for Vienna. Two years later, he settled in Paris, where he produced portraits that he signed with his surname. He produced that of Jacques de Guillebon, and in delivering it met his daughter, Jeanne Claude de Guillebon.
Jeanne Claude de Guillebon is a French artist born in Casablanca, where her father, a general in the French Army, was stationed. Rumor has it they were born on the same day, at the same time. She lived with her father during the Second World War, while her mother joined the Resistance. Already married, she met Christo in 1958 and left her husband to marry him.
From then on, the two artists produced joint works, consisting of wrappings of public buildings, which the couple initially signed Christo. In 1994, their signature changed to Christo et Jeanne Claude. They would make use of the buildings by wrapping them in fabric held together with cable. The couple lived in New York's Soho district, where their studio was also located. Their work includes the Pont Neuf in Paris in 1985, and the Arc de Triomphe after Christo's death in 2021. The in situ realizations of their works are financed through auctions; the Arc de Triomphe was financed by a Sotheby's sale, which released 14 million euros for the realization of the work. Much controversy ensued, notably over the signature, where Jeanne-Claude's name did not appear.
Christo and Jeanne Claude's imprint on their period
Today, Christo and Jeanne Claude are recognized as one of the most influential artist couples of the 20th century. They left their mark on their era with their monumental works, visible to all, whose concept has marked several generations. Some of their works are exhibited in museums in France, but private collectors play a major role in preserving their work. Their value has been rising in recent years.
Their signature
Not all Christo and Jeanne Claude's works are signed. It is also possible that they are copies or that the mention has faded over time, which is why expertise is essential.
Expertise your property
If you own a work by Christo and Jeanne Claude, don't hesitate to request a free appraisal by filling in our online form. A member of our team of experts and licensed auctioneers will contact you to provide an estimate of the market value of your work.
If you are considering selling your work, our specialists will also guide you through the various alternatives available to obtain the best possible price, taking into account market trends and the specificities of each work.
Estimate in less than 24h
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Frequently asked questions
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Who are Christo and Jeanne-Claude, and why are their works so highly sought after?Christo and Jeanne-Claude were a major artist couple of the 20th century, famous for wrapping iconic buildings such as the Pont Neuf in Paris and the Arc de Triomphe. Their works attract keen interest from collectors because they embody monumental and visionary contemporary art. Their preparatory drawings, photographs, and prints, sold at auction, financed their world-renowned temporary installations.
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What is the price range for works by Christo and Jeanne-Claude?Prices vary considerably depending on the medium: photographs range from €10 to €150,000, multiple prints from €10 to €170,000, paintings from €10 to €270,755, sculptures from €10 to €420,000, and watercolor drawings from €25 to €1,400,000. For example, their drawing “The Umbrellas” sold for 1,400,000€ in 2021, exceeding its initial estimate of 200,000 to 300,000€.
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How do you authenticate a work by Christo and Jeanne-Claude?Expert appraisal is essential because not all works are signed, and there is a risk that signatures may be copied or erased over time. We recommend that you request a free, no-obligation estimate from our experts and certified auctioneers, who will examine your artwork and provide you with an accurate appraisal within 48 hours.
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Is this the right time to sell a work by Christo and Jeanne-Claude?Yes, now is a good time to sell. The couple’s work is highly valued on the auction market; their pieces attract consistent interest from collectors, and their market value has been rising in recent years. Private collectors play a major role in preserving their works, which helps maintain stable and growing demand.
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How does the appraisal process work at Auctie's?The appraisal is completely free and non-binding. Simply fill out our online form, and a certified expert or auctioneer will contact you to examine your artwork and provide you with an estimate of its market value. If you’re considering selling, our specialists will guide you toward the best strategy to achieve the optimal price, taking market trends into account.
