Rating and value of sculptures, bronzes and elephants by François Vandenberghe

If you own a work by or after François Vandenberghe, 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'd like to sell your work, we'll direct you to the best possible arrangement to get the best price for it.

Rating and value of François Vandenberghe's works         

François Vandenberghe has produced unique sculptures. Now, prices for his creations can rise considerably under the auctioneer's hammer. His sculptures are particularly prized, by buyers from all over the world.

The price at which they sell on the art market ranges from €50 to €31,000, at the moment, a consequent gap but one that says a lot about the value that can be attributed to the works of François Vandenberghe, whose output is quite abundant.

In 2018, his bronze sculpture Obhéjane One sold for €31,000, originally estimated at between €30,000 and €50,000.

The upside potential for François Vandenberghe's works on the auction market is therefore quite significant. Sculpture, particularly in bronze, has been very successful of late, reaching auction records.

Order of value from a simple work to the most prestigious

Style and technique of artist François Vandenberghe

François Vandenberghe (1951 -) primarily adopts figurative sculpture with an animal theme, in particular elephants, which he often stages in groups or as a family, in a posture that is both realistic and metaphorical.

His work blends zoological observation, which he acquired in part during his stay in Gabon, with a certain allegorical charge : pachyderms thus become symbols of strength, memory or threatened nature.

He pays great attention to the skin texture of his elements, massive volumes and visual presence. However, the artist doesn't limit himself to exact reproduction, but plays on atmosphere, scale and sometimes " out-of-nature " elements to make his point.

The works are often presented in monumental or semi-monumental formats, with framing that will isolate the elephant or group of elephants, reinforcing the effect of immensity or confrontation.

The underlying theme is to conceive of the elephant as a figure of memory, of majesty, sometimes of struggle or solitude, through a sculptural treatment that goes beyond the simple animal.

The materials and media used are mainly bronze (cast, patinated, with a meticulous finish) but some models may also be in plaster or terracotta. The artist collaborates with specialized foundries for his bronze prints, which ensures quality limited editions.

The treatment of the skin's roughness is advanced, with the representation of the animal's wrinkles and folds, as well as the posture and momentum that evoke an animal in motion or in a state of powerful calm.

Vandenberghe sculpts in such a way that the light reveals the animal's reliefs, mass and shadow, giving the pieces a strong presence in real space.

François Vandenberghe's career

François Vandenberghe was born in Courville-sur-Eure (Eure-et-Loir). He lived for 27 years in Gabon, during which time he forged a deep bond with the local fauna, particularly elephants. 

In 1955, after his African sojourn, he devoted himself fully to sculpture. The sculpture of elephants was the main focus of his work, used as a metaphor for human existence and threatened nature.

Part of the income from certain sculptures is dedicated to the protection of elephants, notably through collaboration with the Izindlovu Fund - Hoedspruit Elephant Rehabilitation and Development in South Africa.

His work blends animal realism, symbolic dimension and environmental commitment. He seeks to express the analogy between man and elephant, memory and the struggle for existence.

His 27-year stay in Gabon is a key to understanding his approach : the elephant is not just a decorative motif but a witness to nature and its fragility.

The artist follows in the footsteps of modern animal sculpture, with a strong narrative and symbolic dimension rather than a purely decorative and naturalistic one. Thus, he is not so close to the contour smoothing of Pompon or Petersen, and ultimately close to Barye.

Although he is contemporary, his training is rather self-taught or derived from field practice rather than a traditional academic curriculum, which gives his work an actor-traveler character.

His environmental commitment is an integral part of the artist's signature and adds an extra layer of meaning to his works, which can influence their reception and market valuation.

Market segmentation and artist rating

The main segment concerns bronze sculpture (lost-wax casting) with " terre d'Afrique " or natural patina, often numbered (ex : 1/8, 4/8) and accompanied by the founder's stamp (e.g. FBL).

Valued formats are medium to large bronzes (height between 30 and 60 cm or more), which enter the most sought-after segment. Smaller formats (less than 30 cm) or in more abundant print runs constitute an entry segment.

The elephant or group of elephants is the artist's signature subject and the most valued recurring motif in Vandenberghe's market, followed by other wild animals (lions, rhinoceroses) but in smaller volumes.

Valuation factors include limited edition, numbering, legible signature, original patina, founder's stamp, good provenance, condition of the work (absence of visible restoration of the tusks, for example).

The market is mainly European. The artist is active, with regular results, but prices are widely dispersed according to format, subject and edition. François Vandenberghe's quotation is moderate to high for the contemporary animal sculpture market, and presents a solid and promising positioning.

Recognizing François Vandenberghe's signature

Vandenberghe's works generally bear the artist's signature (often " Vandenberghe " or " Van den Berghe ", with mention of the foundry or edition.

Knowing the value of a work 

If you happen to own a François Vandenberghe creation or think you might, don't hesitate to request a free appraisal using our form on our website.

A member of our team of experts and chartered auctioneers will contact you promptly to provide you with an estimate of the market value of your piece, as well as any relevant information about it.

If you wish to sell your property, our specialists will also be on hand to offer you alternatives for selling it at the best possible price, taking into account market inclinations.