Rating and value of works, drawings, paintings by Jean Hélion

A versatile 20th-century artist, Jean Hélion (1906-1987) was initially drawn to abstraction, but then turned to the figurative, creating captivating paintings depicting scenes from everyday life.

If you own a work by or based on the artist Jean Hélion 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

Early in the 1920s, Jean Hélion made a living from his art, but it was really in the 1930s that the artist achieved a certain renown and made his mark on the art market. Today, the artist's stock remains high, and some of his works are highly prized by collectors, particularly those produced in the 1930s. Thus, a work signed by his hand can exceed €1 million at auction, as evidenced by his oil on canvas Abstraction, adjudged €2,700,770 at Christie's in 2015.

Order of value from the most basic to the most prestigious

The artist's works and style

Jean Hélion's art was marked by two major periods. Initially an abstract painter, Hélion turned to the figurative, drawing inspiration from scenes of everyday life. These artistic periods brought him a certain renown. However, it is his abstract works that will gain the greatest recognition on the art market.

Hélion's abstract period is distinguished by the use of voluminous forms in movement, created through the play of light and shadow specific to each volume represented. He also used contrasting colors to give his paintings a striking dimension and depth. The shades employed are often cool, with a predominance of green gradations.

Jean Hélion also works regularly on paper, and uses multiple drawing methods such as ink and watercolor.

The life of Jean Hélion

Jean Hélion, whose real first name was Jean Bichier, was born in 1904 in Couterne. After studying pharmacy in Lille, Jean Hélion turned to chemistry before becoming an architectural draughtsman in Paris. His discovery of the Louvre and his admiration for Poussin's paintings fueled his passion. The artist soon turned to abstraction.

In the 1920s, Jean Hélion devoted himself fully to painting, thanks to the support of collector Georges Bine. He discovered Cubism in 1927 with the artist Joaquin Torres Garcia. Three years later, Hélion co-founded the "Abstraction-Création" movement alongside other renowned artists.

In 1932, Hélion exhibited for the first time, gradually introducing the human figure into his work. The artist then traveled to the USA and the USSR, where he met his wife.

In the 1950s and 1960s, Jean Hélion began to lose his sight. His work then evolved and the artist incorporated depictions of the blind into his paintings. 

His signature 

Not all of Jean Hélion's works are signed.

Although there are variations, here is a first example of his signature:  

Expertise your property

If you own a work by Jean Hélion, 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 Jean Hélion 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 specific features of each object.