Rating and value of works, drawings, paintings by Antoni Tapies
Key takeaways
- Antoni Tàpies (1923–2012), a leading figure in contemporary art, has seen his works sell for between €10 and €1,747,760, depending on the medium used.
- Mixed media works and paintings are the most sought-after by collectors, with his painting *Gran ocra amb incisions* selling for over one million euros in 2014.
- A pioneer of Arte Povera, the artist explored raw materials (sand, earth, pigments) as a reaction against Abstract Expressionism and Pop Art.
If you own a work by the artist Antoni Tapies 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
A major figure in contemporary art, Antoni Tapies has a rating as high as his fame. Exploring several artistic techniques, Tapies' works are commonplace in auction rooms, particularly his lithographs sold for hundreds or even thousands of euros at auction. However, the artist's most prized works are his mixed-media compositions. A sure bet on the art market, some of his exceptional canvases fetch millions of euros at auction, as evidenced by his painting Gran ocra amb incisions, sold for over a million euros in 2014.
Order of value from the most basic to the most prestigious
Technique used | Result |
|---|---|
Estamp - multiple | From €10 to €60,000 |
Sculpture - volume | From €10 to 128,066 |
Drawing - watercolor | From €60 to €531,529 |
Painting | From €500 to €1,747,760 |
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The artist's style and technique
Associated with symbolism and esotericism, Tapies creates works that appeal to the reign of nature and the human condition.
He experiments with what he calls "materiological"and insists on the tactile characters of his surfaces.
The life of Antoni Tapies
Born in Spain, Antoni Tapies (1923-2012) quickly developed a passion for painting and began a brief training in drawing before starting law studies. It wasn't until 1943 that Tapies returned to drawing and painting. He made copies of paintings by Van Gogh and Picasso and became interested in philosophy, which was to influence his art over the long term.
Tapies' works, produced in the 1940s, are marked by avant-garde artistic movements such as Surrealism and Dadaism. However, the artist diligently developed his own distinctive style, albeit belonging to Arte Povera. Tàpies was interested in exploring matter and texture, creating organic works that mixed paint, sand, pigments, earth, reclaimed materials and other substances.
The artist's imprint on his time
Antoni Tàpies is one of the precursors of Arte Povera, an Italian artistic movement that aims to be sober and in reaction to pictorial lyricism, abstract expressionism and Pop Art. The work must be reduced to uncluttered, unemphasized plastic components, against the tide of productivist debauchery. Arte Povera thus introduces banality into the sphere of art through the intermediary of the poor gesture, detaching itself from all sophistication.
Antoni Tapiès therefore encourages the rejection of artistic hegemony and traditional methods. For him, the creation of the work precedes the meaning attributed to it and thus brings about a spontaneous work.
In addition to painting, Tàpies has also ventured into sculpture, printmaking, ceramics and installation, constantly pushing back the boundaries of his artistic expression. He participated in many major exhibitions worldwide and received numerous awards.
Tàpies' legacy lies not only in his innovative art, but also in his theoretical contribution to contemporary art, of which he is a major figure. He was a fervent defender of artistic freedom and an acerbic critic of society, expressing himself through his theoretical writings on art and culture.
His signature
Not all of Antoni Tapies' works are signed.
Although there are variants, here is a first example of his signature:
Expertise your property
If you happen to own a work by or after Antoni Tapies, don't hesitate to request a free valuation by filling in 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 value of your work, and will ensure that you receive all the relevant information about it. If you are planning to sell your work, you will also be accompanied by our specialists in order to benefit from alternatives for selling it at the best possible price, taking into account the inclinations of the market and its specificities.
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Gaston SUISSE (1896-1988), Engraved polychrome lacquer panel on tortoiseshell lacquer background.
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Frequently asked questions
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Who was Antoni Tàpies, and what was his artistic context?Antoni Tapies (1923–2012) was a leading Spanish contemporary artist and a pioneer of the Arte Povera movement. He distinguished himself through his “material-based” experiments combining paint, sand, earth, and found objects, exploring texture and materiality rather than pictorial lyricism. A fervent advocate for artistic freedom, he made significant contributions to modern art theory by rejecting traditional methods and artistic hegemony.
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What is the price range for Antoni Tàpies' works at auction?Prices vary considerably depending on the technique and quality. Prints range from €10 to €60,000; drawings and watercolors from €60 to €531,529; while paintings, the works most prized by collectors, range from €500 to €1,747,760. His mixed-media compositions are particularly sought after, with some exceptional paintings far exceeding one million euros.
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How do I have a work by Antoni Tàpies authenticated and appraised?You can request a free, no-obligation estimate from Auctie's by filling out a form on the website. A state-certified expert or auctioneer will contact you promptly to appraise your artwork and provide you with an accurate estimate of its current market value. This appraisal will help you understand the true potential of your item before making any decision to sell.
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Why is now the right time to sell a work by Tapies?Tapies is a safe bet in the art market, with a recognized and stable market value. His works—particularly his mixed-media compositions—are frequently sold and highly sought after by international collectors. With consistent demand for this major figure in contemporary art, now is an opportune time to maximize the value of your collection.
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How do I sell a work by Antoni Tàpies at Auctie's?After a free appraisal by our experts and certified auctioneers, Auctie's guides you through the entire sales process from start to finish. We offer you the best options tailored to your artwork to ensure you get the highest possible price, taking into account the specific conditions of the current market. You’ll receive comprehensive support for your item all the way through to its sale.
