Edgar Degas Auction Prices and Value Guide
Edgar Degas auction prices are tracked in Appraisily's artist market index, with source-directory coverage of 9,615 records. Use this page to review sold-lot activity, market context, and valuation factors before requesting a formal appraisal.
Edgar Degas auction prices: quick answer
Edgar Degas auction prices depend on medium, size, date, condition, provenance, edition details, attribution confidence, and recent comparable auction sales.
- Artist
- Edgar Degas
- Source records
- 9,615
- Market update
- 2026-02-06
Artist context
About Edgar Degas
Edgar Degas (1834–1917), born Hilaire-Germain-Edgar De Gas in Paris, was a French painter, sculptor, and draftsman identified with the Impressionist movement, though he often rejected the label and considered himself a Realist. A founding member of the group that organized the independent Impressionist exhibitions beginning in 1874, Degas contributed to seven of the eight shows. He is celebrated for his depictions of ballet dancers, horse racing, and intimate scenes of modern Parisian life. Degas worked across oil painting, pastel, sculpture, printmaking, and photography, pioneering innovative compositional approaches — cropped framing, unusual viewpoints, and a masterful use of pastel in layered, vibrant strokes. His sculpture 'Little Dancer of Fourteen Years' caused controversy at its 1881 debut for its realism and use of mixed materials. Major holdings of his work reside at the Musée d'Orsay, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Art Institute of Chicago, the National Gallery (London), MoMA, and the Tate.
ImpressionismRealismOil paintingPastelSculpturePrintmaking (lithography, etching, monotype)Ballet dancersHorse racingWomen at their toilettePortraits
Common works and media
Collectors and appraisers most commonly encounter Degas works in oil on canvas or board, pastel on paper, charcoal and graphite drawings, bronze sculptures (including posthumous casts), lithographs, etchings, and monotypes. Ballet dancers — in rehearsal, on stage, and at rest — are the dominant subject across all media. Horse racing scenes, female bathers, portraits, and Parisian street scenes also appear frequently. Small-scale wax and plastiline sculptures were cast in bronze posthumously in authorized editions; these bronzes represent a large share of Degas works at auction.
Market and appraisal context
Edgar Degas is one of the most liquid and broadly traded Impressionist artists at international auction, with 2,573 recorded lots and 1,662 priced results spanning 1991 to April 2025. The market is deep and stratified: original oil paintings and major pastels from the 1870s–1890s command the top tier, with the highest recorded price reaching $41.6 million. The median price of $9,450 and 75th percentile of $98,500 reflect that the bulk of traded material consists of works on paper, prints, and posthumous bronze casts. Recent 12-month activity shows 210 lots versus 285 in the prior period — a modest contraction in volume but consistent liquidity across price tiers. Named auction houses active in this market include Christie's, Sotheby's, Bonhams, Artcurial, HVMC (Monte-Carlo), Swann Auction Galleries, and multiple mid-tier and regional houses, confirming strong demand at every level. Ballet and dance subjects dominate recent results, followed by equestrian themes and posthumous bronze editions of the 'Petite Danseuse de quatorze ans' and related sculptures.
Auction categories and appraisal factors
Common auction categories
- Impressionist & Modern Art
- Works on Paper
- Prints & Multiples
- Sculpture
- Old Master / 19th Century Paintings
Value drivers
- Medium and attribution: original oils, major pastels, drawings, prints, monotypes, posthumous bronzes, after works, d'apres works, and reproductions must be valued in separate tiers.
- Catalogue references: Lemoisne for paintings and pastels, Sanchez & Seydoux for prints, and Rewald for bronzes should be checked before relying on comparables.
- Subject and period: ballet, dancer, racehorse, bather, portrait, and Parisian-life subjects can carry different demand, especially for 1870s-1890s originals.
- Bronze authorization: foundry mark, edition number, posthumous casting history, and Comite certification materially affect value.
- Paper condition: pastels, drawings, prints, and monotypes require close review for fading, foxing, tears, mounting, and conservation history.
- Provenance and venue: major-house records should not be blended with regional after-work, giclee, or decorative-print listings.
Appraisal caveats
- Posthumous bronze casts of Degas wax sculptures were produced by Hébrard and others after the artist's death; edition, foundry, and authorization must be verified for each cast
- Many works on paper exist as multiples (prints) or preparatory studies; distinguishing unique works from editioned prints requires catalogue raisonné consultation
- Attribution and signature issues can arise with studio works and later re-strikes of prints
- The auction-record data aggregates all lots attributed to Edgar Degas, including works listed as 'after,' 'd'après,' studio copies, giclée reproductions, and posthumous bronze casts. The $4–$41.6M price range reflects this full spectrum and should not be interpreted as the range for any single medium.
Evidence
Sources for artist context
This source-grounded artist context passed Appraisily's promotion threshold: high confidence, strong sources.
- Library of Congress library authority
- RKD — Netherlands Institute for Art History library authority
- Wikidata library authority
- VIAF (OCLC) library authority
- The Museum of Modern Art museum or university
- Tate museum or university
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 Edgar Degas 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 Edgar Degas artwork?
Yes. Appraisily can review photos, dimensions, signatures, condition, provenance, and comparable market data to prepare a current valuation.