Rating and value of works, drawings, paintings by Joseph Sima
Key takeaways
- Joseph Sima (1881–1971), a leading Czech surrealist painter of the Grand Jeu movement, has seen his oil-on-canvas works fetch record prices of up to €1,198,490 at auction.
- Sima’s works sell for between €10 for prints and €1,198,490 for oil paintings on canvas, depending on the technique and the piece’s prestige.
- A founder of the Grand Jeu art movement in 1926 alongside leading figures of Surrealism, his works remain highly sought after by collectors despite limited recognition among the general public.
A major painter of the Grand Jeu in the 20th century, Joseph Sima (1881-1971) is best known for his paintings and drawings.
If you own a work by or based on the artist Joseph Sima 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 surrealist painter, Joseph Sima has established himself as a major figure on the art market. His works are highly prized by collectors. His works are exclusively oil on canvas, and sell for between €10 and €1,198,490 - a relatively wide range, but one that says a lot about the price these works can fetch. For example, a work signed or attributed to Sima can fetch thousands of euros at auction, as evidenced by his predominantly green oil on canvas sold for €1,198,490 in 2018.
Order of value from the most basic to the most prestigious
Technique used | Result |
|---|---|
Estamp | From €10 to €13,270 |
Drawing - watercolor | From €30 to €173,440 |
Oil on canvas | From €840 to €1,198,490 |
Estimate in less than 24h
The life of Joseph Sima
Joseph Sima was born in the Czech Republic, in the region of the Castle of the Kings.
He attended the School of Applied Arts and the Academy of Fine Arts in Prague, and was a member of the Devetsil group founded in 1920. He became the group's correspondent in Paris, where he rubbed shoulders with several personalities from the magazine L'Esprit nouveau.
In 1926, he met Max Ernst and André Breton, prominent representatives of the Surrealist movement. He then founded the Grand jeu, a magazine that would also be an artistic movement. He collaborates with Pierre Jean Jouve to illustrate his works. The group uses an extrasensory exploration of art aimed at recapturing childhood emotions. Later, they would conduct research into the subconscious and automatic writing.
He remained linked with Prague's poetic avant-garde throughout his life and collaborated with these artists.
Few details are known about the rest of his life.
The artist's works and style
Joseph Sima's works are characterized by perpetual experimentation around surrealism. Today, he is not widely known by the general public, but appreciated and sought after by collectors.
Although some of his paintings and drawings are held in museums in France and around the world, private collectors play a major role in preserving his work.
His signature
Not all of Joseph Sima's works are signed.
If you think you own one, it's best to have it appraised to be sure of your painting's originality.
Expertise your property
If you own a work by Joseph Sima, don't hesitate to request a free appraisal by filling in our online form. A member of our team of experts and chartered auctioneers will contact you to provide an estimate of the market value of your Majorelle 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 work.
Estimate in less than 24h
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Works by Joseph Sima sold at auction
Estimated 15 000 - 20 000 €
Jean HENNINGER (1916-1994) Hunting scene.
Estimated 600 € - 800 €
Henri ZUBER (1844-1909), Bridge at Artemare. Oil on canvas.
Estimated 600 € - 800 €
Louis TOFFOLI (1907-1999), The maternity of flowers. Tapestry.
Estimated 100-200€
Vassiliew Slavik, Oil on canvas
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Frequently asked questions
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Who was Joseph Sima, and what was his artistic background?Joseph Sima (1881–1971) was a leading Czech painter of the Surrealist movement and the founder of *Le Grand Jeu*, a 20th-century art journal and artistic movement. After studying in Prague, he moved to Paris in 1926, where he met André Breton and Max Ernst and collaborated with the Parisian poetic avant-garde, particularly in the exploration of the subconscious and automatic writing.
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What is the price range for Joseph Sima's works?Joseph Sima’s works sell for prices that vary widely depending on the medium. Prints range from €10 to €13,270, drawings and watercolors from €30 to €173,440, and oil paintings on canvas—his primary medium—from €840 to €1,198,490. These variations reflect the quality, historical significance, and condition of each work.
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How can a work attributed to Joseph Sima be authenticated?We recommend that you request a free, no-obligation appraisal from Auctie's by filling out our online form. A state-certified expert or auctioneer will examine your artwork and provide you with an accurate estimate within 48 hours, taking into account that some of Sima’s works are unsigned.
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How does the appraisal process work at Auctie's?The appraisal is completely free and non-binding. Contact us via our online form, and a certified expert or auctioneer will examine your artwork and provide you with an estimate of its current market value within 48 hours. If you wish to sell, our specialists will guide you toward the best solution to maximize the price.
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How do I sell a work by Joseph Sima?Auctie's, an auction house, supports you every step of the way: free appraisal of your artwork, advice on marketing it based on market trends, and auction sales to secure the best possible price. Contact us to get started—at no cost and with no obligation.
