Ambroise-Louis Garneray (1783-1857) "The Battle of Navarino on October 20, 1827"
Sold for €769,200
Giovanni Battista Salvi, dit Sassoferrato (1609-1685)
Sold for €80,000
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Pieter Brueghel "The Younger" (Brussels 1564 - Antwerp 1636)
Sold for 1.15 million euros

Old Master Paintings and Drawings

“The work of art is right here before us, torn from the past. But it is surrounded by the secret of its birth within the workshop. Whether it is the workshop where once a small community was organized under the authority of a master, or the almost monastic workshop of the isolated artist, there remains this inaccessible place and this time beyond our reach, where figurative thought and objectification mutually fertilized each other.” This secret, evoked by Roland Recht, is the moment of creation that it is up to us to rediscover, and this by the only path available to us: that of the object. To value a painting, a drawing, is to study it and trace the thread of its history in order to share it and win the hearts of enthusiasts and collectors.”

— Victoria Damidot

A Department, an Infinity of Ancient Works

The Old Masters & Drawings department records some of the most prestigious sales in the international art market. Old Masters represent an absolutely fascinating sector, and Paris has been internationally recognized since the 19th century as one of the most dynamic auction centers in the world.

At the heart of this, enthusiasts of Old Master paintings and drawings are curious and eager for works with remarkable provenance. By aligning with international art market events such as the Salon du Dessin in Paris, Fine Arts / La Biennale, or the Old Masters Weeks in the Anglo-Saxon world, sales of Old Master paintings and drawings in Paris attract the attention of the greatest collectors in this specialty.

Among their buyers are a wide range of profiles: from amateurs to collectors, investors to art lovers, as well as dealers, museums, and other cultural institutions—all sharing the desire to see and own works that have withstood the test of time. Reliable values because of their remarkable and noted qualities, we always aim to generate the widest possible enthusiasm. Museums, furthermore, regularly exercise their right of preemption, and we take great pleasure in seeing works that have passed through our hands enter into museum collections.

Painting : Honoring the Supreme Art

Long considered the quintessential major art form, Old Master painting has continually been at the heart of various active centers of artistic emulation, where many great names have emerged. Often linked, the graphic arts also present their own unique qualities. Whether a drawing is a preparatory sketch or created solely for itself, it becomes a spontaneous witness to the creative gesture that brought it into being.

Works grouped under the term “Old Masters” find their rightful place in Paris, a city internationally recognized as one of the most dynamic auction centers. Experienced collectors and casual enthusiasts alike cross paths here, closely following our sales, with keen eyes alert for the treasures they may uncover.

Paintings and drawings from Italian, French, and Northern Schools are lots that delight collectors, who with evident pleasure, discover historical, mythological subjects, as well as portraits, still lifes, and a multitude of works representing all the genres classified by the Royal Academy in 1667.

Old Master Drawings : Original Witnesses to the Creative Spirit

For a long time, women were the great forgotten figures of art history. Today, however, they are at the heart of a renewed focus that allows us to discover the diversity of their talents. The enthusiasm for female artists continues to grow, a phenomenon in which our department actively participates.

Thus, a very subtle and delicate Still Life with a Bowl of Strawberries by Louyse Moillon (1610–1696), a 17th-century painter, was sold for 1.6 million euros. On the same day, a Self-Portrait by Marie-Gabrielle Capet (1761–1818), a student of Élisabeth Vigée Le Brun (1755–1842), was acquired by the National Museum of Sweden for 55,000 euros.

As a model for the painter Joseph-Siffred Duplessis (1725–1802), Marie Antoinette stirred nostalgia among her admirers and excitement among collectors. Identified within our department, this almost naturalistic portrait of the queen at the age of 16 gave us a glimpse of the final version, lost nearly a century ago. Both remarkable and highly noticed, the work was preempted for 175,000 euros by the Château de Versailles, where visitors can now admire it in all the freshness of her youth.

Constantly seeking new treasures to discover, study, and promote, our team of passionate specialists is at your service to welcome you and examine the works for which you seek a professional opinion. A painting or a drawing, whether signed or not, may always conceal a masterful hand. Covering a period from the Renaissance to the 19th century, still influenced by Academicism, our department is interested in all works and would be delighted to meet you.

Unmatched Communication Strength & International Reach

Maison Aguttes boasts unique communication capabilities, providing sellers with modern, targeted tools for effective global reach. We pay special attention to producing auction catalogs, both in print and digital formats, focusing on design and content quality. Our campaigns engage buyers from our portfolio across all specialties and reach targeted potential buyers. We communicate through a mix of online and offline advertising, social media, email marketing, media, influencers, and auction platforms, using quality images, texts, and videos.

Free and Confidential Estimates of Your Old Master Paintings & Drawings: Guidance & Valuation

Each painting and drawing is carefully examined and directed to the most suitable sale, whether “Old Masters” or “Esprit Créateur.” Our specialists work actively to enhance the value of your works through appraisals in collaboration with renowned scientists and academics, offering the best possible sales strategy. This may involve restoration or targeted promotion when needed. Our specialist is available to provide professional appraisals and offer guidance on sale or investment opportunities.