Bernard Aubertin Auction Prices and Value Guide
Bernard Aubertin auction prices are tracked in Appraisily's artist market index, with source-directory coverage of 1,502 records. Use this page to review sold-lot activity, market context, and valuation factors before requesting a formal appraisal.
Bernard Aubertin auction prices: quick answer
Bernard Aubertin auction prices depend on medium, size, date, condition, provenance, edition details, attribution confidence, and recent comparable auction sales.
- Artist
- Bernard Aubertin
- Source records
- 1,502
- Market update
- 2026-02-06
Artist context
About Bernard Aubertin
Bernard Aubertin (1934–2015) was a French painter, sculptor, and conceptual artist best known for his red monochromatic paintings and his close association with the international ZERO movement. Born in Fontenay-aux-Roses, France, Aubertin began making monochrome works in 1958 after a pivotal encounter with Yves Klein in Montparnasse in 1957. He left Paris in 1961 and eventually settled in Germany, where he lived and worked from 1990 until his death in Reutlingen in 2015. Aubertin's practice extended across painting, sculpture, collage, and relief, with red remaining the dominant chromatic focus throughout his career. His work is held in the collection of the Museum of Modern Art, New York, and he is represented in major library authority files including the RKD, VIAF, and the Library of Congress.
ZEROpaintingsculpturecollagemonochrome paintingred monochromefire and nail works
Common works and media
Aubertin's most commonly encountered works include red monochrome paintings on canvas, nail-relief panels, fire-related works incorporating matches or burn marks, collages, and works on paper. Sculptural reliefs and mixed-media constructions also appear at auction. Editioned prints and multiples exist in smaller numbers. The red monochrome surface — whether painted, burned, or constructed — is the unifying visual signature across media. Works range from intimate works on paper to large-scale canvases and wall reliefs.
Market and appraisal context
Bernard Aubertin's work appears regularly in Post-War and Contemporary Art sales at international auction houses. Key valuation factors include the specific medium (monochrome painting, sculptural relief, or work on paper), the date of execution with earlier works from the late 1950s and 1960s being scarcer, provenance quality especially documented ZERO-group exhibition history, and overall condition. Aubertin's connection to Yves Klein and the ZERO network adds art-historical significance that influences collector demand. Collectors should verify provenance and consult current comparable auction records for up-to-date market positioning.
Auction categories and appraisal factors
Value drivers
- Medium and scale of the work — monochrome paintings, sculptural reliefs, and works on paper each carry different market weight
- Provenance and exhibition history — works with documented ZERO-group exhibition provenance or museum provenance are significant
- Date of execution — earlier monochrome works from the late 1950s and 1960s are generally rarer than later production
- Association with Yves Klein and the ZERO group network provides art-historical context that influences collector interest
Appraisal caveats
- No specific auction price records are included in the available source pack; appraisal should reference current comparable public auction results.
- Attribution should be confirmed through provenance documentation, as the market for ZERO-associated artists includes works of varying authentication status.
Evidence
Sources for artist context
This source-grounded artist context passed Appraisily's promotion threshold: high confidence, strong sources.
- RKD — Netherlands Institute for Art History library authority
- Wikidata library authority
- VIAF library authority
- Library of Congress library authority
- The Museum of Modern Art museum or university
- Wikipedia wikipedia
Data basis
This page is built from Appraisily's public auction market index. Private transactions, incomplete sale feeds, and attribution changes may not be fully represented.
Artist value FAQ
How much is Bernard Aubertin worth?
Comparable public auction sales are the best starting point, but final value depends on the specific artwork, condition, size, medium, provenance, and attribution confidence.
Can Appraisily value my Bernard Aubertin artwork?
Yes. Appraisily can review photos, dimensions, signatures, condition, provenance, and comparable market data to prepare a current valuation.