Rating and value of drawings, prints and paintings by Louis Carmontelle

If you own a work by or after the artist Louis Carmontelle, 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 current market value. Then, if you wish to sell your work, we will guide you towards the best possible arrangement to obtain the optimum price.

Rating and value of the artist Louis Carmontelle

Louis Carmontelle was a painter active in the second half of the 18th century, renowned for his court portraits, among other works. His paintings, watercolor drawings and prints sell on the art market for between €200 and €416 915, a substantial delta but one that speaks volumes about the value that can be attributed to the artist's works. In 2015, a red chalk drawing entitled Les Gentilshommes du Duc d'Orléans dans l'habit de Saint Cloud sold for €440 000, while it was estimated at €250,000-350,000.

Order of value from a simple work to the most prestigious

The artist's style and technique

Louis Carmontelle mainly painted portraits of noblemen or high-ranking military officers. He depicts them in a calm, serene atmosphere, mostly using the drawing technique. He also produced a few prints, and very few paintings.

Louis Carmontelle's life

Louis Carrogis de Carmontelle (1717-1806) was a French painter, engraver, draughtsman and architect of the 18th century.

He learned painting on his own and worked for a time as a mathematics teacher to the French nobility, of which he was not a member. During the Seven Years' War, he held a position as a topogrpahe (determining the altitude and position of a given geographical point), which gave him access to the close sphere of the Duke of Orleans, for whom he worked as a reader. He began portraying the various members of the court, and made a name for himself with his talent. He organized events for the nobility and wrote tragedies to be performed at them.

After the Duke's death, he worked for his son, Philippe Égalité, and continued to paint portraits of the nobility at his side.

Louis Carmontelle's imprint on his time

Carmontelle was a highly regarded artist of his time, not least for the reality of his depictions. During the Calas affair, he made a series of twelve prints of the Calas family, all of which Voltaire bought in support of Jean Calas and the sentence handed down by the judge.

Today, his works remain highly valued on the auction market.

Recognizing the artist's signature

Louis Carmontelle signs his works with his name, very discreetly, at the bottom of his works.

The life of Louis Carmontelle

Louis Carrogis de Carmontelle (1717-1806) was a French painter, engraver, draughtsman and architect of the 18th century.

He learned painting on his own and worked for a time as a mathematics teacher to the French nobility, of which he was not a member.

During the Seven Years' War, he takes up a position as topographer (determining the altitude and position of a given geographical point), which gives him access to the close sphere of the Duke of Orleans, for whom he works as a reader.

He then begins to portrait the various members present at court, and makes a name for himself with his talent. He organizes noble events and writes tragedies for performance.

After the duke's death, he works for his son, Philippe Égalité, and continues to paint portraits of the nobility at his side.

Louis Carmontelle's imprint on his time

Carmontelle was a highly regarded artist of his time, particularly for the reality of his depictions. During the Calas affair, he made a series of twelve prints of the Calas family, all of which Voltaire bought in support of Jean Calas and the sentence handed down by the judge.

Today, his works remain highly rated on the auction market.

Market segmentation and artist's rating

The market for Louis Carmontelle is narrow but qualitative, coming under the heading of early 18th-century drawings. The offer is limited, mainly consisting of works on paper. The market is driven by specialized collectors, institutions and enthusiasts of Enlightenment art.

The typology of works in circulation includes watercolor and gouache drawings on paper, with full-length portraits, society scenes, strolls and social gatherings. This is the central and most sought-after segment.

Cut-out silhouettes constitute a specific market, with a high historical value but a more moderate quotation. Painted works on canvas are exceptional and marginal.

Portraits of members of the aristocracy or celebrities are identified as a premium segment, with high historical and documentary interest. Anonymous mundane scenes constitute an intermediate segment, with a value based on graphic quality and freshness.

Isolated silhouettes constitute an entry-level segment of the market. Medium to large formats (30 - 60 cm) are the most sought-after, with strong narrative legibility. Small formats belong to a more decorative market, with a more modest valuation.

The determining criteria for valuation are the quality of the drawing and finesse of the watercolor, the freshness of the colors, the absence of oxidation or heavy restorations, the provenance and identification of the figures represented and the presence of old inscriptions or autograph titles.

The market is mainly French, with relays in the UK, Western Europe and international museum institutions. The artist occupies an elitist segment of the early drawing market. The quotation is based on rarity, graphic quality and historical interest.

In some respects, he is similar to artists of the same period such as Hubert Robert, Hyacinthe Rigaud or Claude Joseph Vernet.

Recognizing the artist's signature

Carmontelle signs his works with his name, rather discreetly, at the bottom of his works.

Knowing the value of a work  

If you happen to own a Louis Carmontelle work, request a free appraisal without further delay via 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 value of your work, as well as any relevant information about it. If you are considering selling your work of art, our specialists will also work with you to help you find alternatives for selling it at the best possible price.