Rating and value of marine paintings

If you own a marine painting, 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 object, and provide you with a precise estimate of its value on the current market. Then, if you wish to sell your painting, we will guide you towards the best possible means of obtaining the best possible price. The price of a painting can vary greatly depending on the artist's identification, its state of preservation, the school of painting or the subject depicted.

Rating and value of a marine painting

Marine paintings are appreciated and sought after by collectors. The price at which they sell on the art and auction market ranges from €10 to €2,300,400, a considerable delta but one that speaks volumes about the value that can be attributed to your paintings. They are prized by buyers of all nationalities, and are of interest to some collectors because they are often less expensive than masterpieces when the artist is not identified. In 2023, a marine painting by Flemish painter Hendrick Willem Mesdag sold for €53,685, whereas it was estimated at between €41,600 and €62,400.

Order of value ranging from the simplest to the most prestigious painting

Reasons to have a marine painting appraised at auction

If you own a marine painting, you may be unaware of its value. Indeed, even if the painting is not signed, it is possible in some cases to identify the artist. If it's listed on the auction market, then the price could rise very quickly. It's also possible that the artist is not identifiable and that we can only know the school of the painting.  

Defining a marine painting 

Marine paintings cover a category of paintings, not an artistic movement but a pictorial genre in its own right like portraiture or religious painting. They are naturally inspired by the sea, and ships. All kinds of boats are represented, from simple barques to warships and cruise ships. There are also scenes of busy harbors and naval battles. A marine painting is often simply a sailboat alone in the middle of the sea.

A little-known pictorial genre

The history of marine paintings dates back to antiquity, but it was from the 17th century onwards that this art form really took off. Dutch painters such as Willem van de Velde the Elder and his son Willem van de Velde the Younger played a crucial role in the development of this pictorial genre. Their works often depicted naval battles, harbor scenes, or simply a sailboat. The French state could also place commissions to extol the merits of a new warship or aircraft carrier. The Charles de Gaulle, too, had its own marine painting by Alain Delafosse.

Marine paintings extended to several representational subjects. Marine painters were able to depict simple fishing boats, Winslow Homer was famous for this. Some focused their work on depicting the sea, with crashing waves and violent storms. Each painting tells a unique story about the ships and their navigators. Seascapes can also be historical accounts of great discoveries, expeditions, and trade between nations.

In France, Mathurin Janssaud is one such artist, still little known, yet he worked extensively on the representation of the sea and ships, but also of light, immortalizing Brittany on his canvases.

Louis Valtat, better known to the general public, also chose the sea as his inspiration with impressionist touches. (cf Les falaises violettes, Louis Valtat)

Signing paintings

Many marine paintings are not signed, and neither are the backs of their frames. That's why it's important to have your work appraised.

Know the certain value of your painting

If you happen to own a marine painting of any school, 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 with an estimate of the market value of your painting, and will provide you with all the relevant information. If you wish to sell your product, you will also be accompanied by our specialists in order to benefit from alternatives to sell it at the best possible price, taking into account the inclinations of the market.