Rating and value of works, sculptures, bronzes by Antoine Bourdelle

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Rating and value of the artist Antoine Bourdelle          

The artist Antoine Bourdelle leaves in his wake a very singular body of work, composed mainly of mythological subjects in bronze. A talented artist, he created numerous sculptures that are particularly sought-after at auction.

The prices of his works are now skyrocketing under auctioneers' gavels. They are particularly prized by French and European buyers.

The price at which they sell on the art market ranges from 20 to 1,400,000€, a large delta but one that speaks volumes about the value that can be attributed to Antoine Bourdelle's works.

One example of his bronze Héraclès, archer, dating from 1909, has already sold for €1,400,000. This is a record, however, as his bronzes usually sell for around €400,000.

Order of value from a simple work to the most prestigious

The work of Antoine Bourdelle

Antoine Bourdelle, an icon of modern art, mastered the bronze technique perfectly, using it to create monumental, expressive works.

His sculptures are distinguished by a raw power, a sense of grandeur that draws on antiquity while looking to modernity.

A student of Auguste Rodin, he gradually detached himself from the latter to develop his own style, marked by rigor and expressiveness.

The taut lines and angular curves used by the artist paradoxically enable him to express all the emotion his works need, even if they remain trapped in a certain austerity.

Bourdelle excelled in the representation of the human body, which he conceived as a force in motion, stretched towards all the grandeur of the world, represented in his work by an ancient iconographic repertoire.

His works, such as Héraklès archer or Le Centaure mourant, embody this restrained energy, where every muscle, every joint is the fruit of meticulous observation and an almost architectural attention to detail.

His artistic approach captures the inner tension between man and his destiny, a recurring theme in Bourdelle's work, always at the frontier between classical tradition and modern innovation.

Although bronze is his material of choice, Bourdelle also works in marble and stone with remarkable mastery. His works in marble exude a serenity and majesty that contrasts with the vigor of his bronze pieces

The variety of materials he uses testifies to his versatility and ability to express complex ideas through different textures and finishes.

Bourdelle was not only a sculptor of monumental forms; he was also a talented portraitist.

His busts, like that of Beethoven, at least nationally famous, show a rare psychological intensity, where the artist succeeds in capturing not only the physical features but also the very essence of his subjects.

His portraits, often executed in bronze, convey a depth and inner strength not unlike his interest in mythology and heroism.

Throughout his career, Bourdelle remained an insatiable explorer of forms and ideas. He taught at the Académie de la Grande Chaumière, influencing a generation of sculptors who would draw on his singular approach to art.

His quest for monumentality and spirituality in art is reflected in his public works, such as those he created for the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées, where his sculptural language unfolds on a grand scale.

Today, his works in bronze, but also in marble and stone, are highly sought-after on the art market and continue to arouse admiration for their ability to capture energy and humanity with unrivalled intensity.

The career of Antoine Bourdelle

Antoine Bourdelle (1861-1929) was a French sculptor born in Montauban, Tarn-et-Garonne. Born into a family of craftsmen, he arrived in Paris at the age of 19. Already having an interest in sculpture, he wished to make it his vocation and profession.

He studied at the Beaux-Arts, where he worked under Auguste Rodin. This experience marks a turning point in his career, as he learns the techniques of sculpture while developing a style all his own.

He quickly makes a name for himself with his works, and his first success comes from the exhibition of L'Enfance de Bacchus at the Salon. He produced numerous monumental sculptures, integrating movement and emotion into his creations, as evidenced by his works for the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées.

His sense of drama and heroism propelled him onto the artistic scene, attracting the attention of the public and critics alike.

In 1900, he was awarded the gold medal at the Exposition Universelle, establishing his international success.

Antoine Bourdelle is also committed to training the next generation of artists at the Académie de la Grande Chaumière, where he shares his expertise and passion for sculpture.

His portraits, notably of Beethoven, reveal a remarkable psychological depth, captivating the eye of art lovers.

During the 1920s, he turned to more spiritual and religious themes, seeking to express peace and harmony through his works. His sculpture Héraklès archer became emblematic of this period, illustrating his unique style and artistic vision.

Talented and renowned, Bourdelle produced a substantial output throughout his career, selling relatively well during his lifetime. Appreciated and praised by critics, his works were regularly exhibited, increasing his value on the art market.

Antoine Bourdelle died in 1929 in Paris, leaving behind a precious artistic legacy. His sculptures continue to be exhibited in numerous museums around the world, testifying to his talent and indelible contribution to modern art.

Beethoven's great tragic mask by Bourdelle

Focus on Bourdelle's bust of Beethoven

The bust of Beethoven is one of Antoine Bourdelle's masterpieces. Characterized by brutal power, it reflects the composer's psychological suffering.

Bourdelle excels in depicting complex emotions, capturing Beethoven's inner struggle with blindness. The taut lines and angular curves lend the work a palpable tension, a restrained violence that evokes the artist's torments.

Through this bust, Bourdelle succeeds in transcending the simple face, reaching the very essence of his subject. Every detail, every shadow, is the fruit of meticulous observation, revealing a rare psychological intensity.

Bourdelle has succeeded in restoring the composer to the majesty that belongs to him through this portrait, which for all that cries out suffering, and discharges to the viewer a double creative energy, dazzling with violence, a reflection of the artistic intensity of two creators of genius.

His artistic approach unfolds on the border between tradition and modernity, translating an inner strength that recalls his interest in drama and heroism.

Although bronze is his preferred material, he expresses complex ideas with even more determination than usual in this work, bringing Beethoven's suffering and greatness to life.

Bourdelle was not only a sculptor of monumental forms; he was also a talented portraitist. This bust testifies to his ability to stir the soul of his subjects, to translate the depth of human emotion into matter.

Throughout his career, Bourdelle remained an unyielding explorer of forms and ideas, influencing a generation of artists with his unique approach.

His quest for monumentality and spirituality in art is reflected in every sculpture, of which the Beethoven bust is a magnificent illustration.

Antoine Bourdelle's imprint on his time

Some of Antoine Bourdelle's works can be seen in museums and public spaces across France and beyond, but a significant number remain in private collections. Recently, his work has been enjoying a renaissance on the art market.

The artist left a lasting mark on his era through his exceptional talent and the diversity of the sculptures he created, while using materials of the highest quality.

In the course of his prolific career, Bourdelle established links with influential figures, including artists, writers and patrons of the arts, such as Rodin, who passed on invaluable advice to him.

At the same time, he knew how to capture the psychology of his subjects, creating works imbued with strength and emotion, while maintaining a certain austerity.

Bourdelle influenced 20th-century sculpture alongside artists such as Aristide Maillol and Igor Mitoraj, leaving an indelible mark on the artistic landscape of his time.

Recognizing the artist's signature

Not all Antoine Bourdelle's works are signed, and various variants exist. This is why, if you think you own a work by or after the artist, it is essential to have it appraised by an expert who will be able to authenticate it.

He affixed a monogram to some of his works, which materializes as a star whose branches intertwine.

Knowing the value of a work

If you happen to own a work by or after Antoine Bourdelle, 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 work, as well as ad hoc information about it.

If you wish 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.