Jean Dufy Auction Prices and Value Guide
Jean Dufy auction prices are tracked in Appraisily's artist market index, with source-directory coverage of 2,193 records. Use this page to review sold-lot activity, market context, and valuation factors before requesting a formal appraisal.
Jean Dufy auction prices: quick answer
Jean Dufy auction prices depend on medium, size, date, condition, provenance, edition details, attribution confidence, and recent comparable auction sales.
- Artist
- Jean Dufy
- Source records
- 2,193
- Market update
- 2026-02-06
Artist context
About Jean Dufy
Jean Dufy (1888–1964) was a French painter and watercolorist best known for vibrant scenes of Parisian life, circuses, horse races, orchestras, and the French countryside. Born in Le Havre, he studied at the city's École des Beaux-Arts before moving to Paris, where he trained under his elder brother, the celebrated painter Raoul Dufy. Jean Dufy developed a distinctive style characterized by bold color, lyrical composition, and a focus on the spectacle of modern urban and rural culture. His work was exhibited in museums and galleries throughout his career, and the RKD records over 1,500 images of his output. He remained active from the early 1920s until his death in 1964.
Post-ImpressionismOil on canvasWatercolorDecorative painting on objectsCircus and equestrian scenesMusical and orchestral themesParisian cityscapes and societyCountry landscapes
Common works and media
Jean Dufy worked primarily in oil on canvas and watercolor. His most frequently encountered subjects include circus performers and horses, orchestral and musical scenes, Parisian street views and monuments, theatrical productions, and pastoral or country landscapes. He also produced decorative painted objects. Works range from small-format watercolors to larger canvases, with the majority dating from the 1930s through the early 1960s.
Market and appraisal context
Jean Dufy has a deep and well-documented secondary market spanning over three decades of auction activity, with 1,388 total lots recorded and 1,012 of those carrying realized prices. Auction appearances date from October 1992 through April 2026, demonstrating sustained and long-term collector demand. Major houses dominate the top of the market: Christie's, Sotheby's, Bonhams, Artcurial, and Tajan all appear frequently, alongside a broad bench of regional and specialty houses including Lempertz, Koller, Freeman's | Hindman, Osenat, Heritage Auctions, and Millon & Associes. The price distribution is wide but centered in the mid-five-figure range: the interquartile spread runs from approximately $4,000 (25th percentile) through $16,000 (median) to $33,600 (75th percentile), with a ceiling at $250,000 for top-tier oils. Recent 12-month auction volume stands at 60 priced lots, down from 94 the prior year, which may reflect normal market cyclicality rather than a structural shift. Recent standout results include a Christie's Paris sale of 'Paris, La Passerelle des Arts' at €139,700 (December 2025) and a Koller result at CHF 38,000 (November 2025), confirming that signature Parisian subjects in oil from the mature period continue to command strong prices. The liquidity profile is healthy: the artist appears at auction roughly once per week on average, providing reasonable comparable-lot density for appraisal work.
Auction categories and appraisal factors
Common auction categories
- Oil on canvas
- Watercolor
- Gouache on paper
- Works on paper
- Decorative painting on objects
Value drivers
- Medium: oil paintings generally command higher prices than watercolors or works on paper
- Subject matter: circus, orchestral, and Parisian scenes are the most recognizable and sought-after themes
- Attribution and provenance: works with clear provenance and agreement with known style are important for appraisal
- Distinction from Raoul Dufy: Jean's work is often confused with that of his more famous brother; correct attribution affects value
- Medium: oil paintings consistently trade at a premium over watercolors, gouaches, and works on paper; the median oil significantly exceeds the overall median of $16,000
- Subject and iconography: circus, equestrian, orchestral, and Parisian cityscape subjects are the most sought-after and achieve the highest prices at major houses
Appraisal caveats
- Jean Dufy's market is distinct from that of his brother Raoul Dufy; collectors should verify attribution carefully
- No catalogue raisonné is cited in the available source pack; authentication may require specialist consultation
- No comprehensive catalogue raisonné was identified in the available sources; authentication of unsigned, atypical, or previously undocumented works may require specialist consultation and cannot be confirmed from auction records alone
- Jean Dufy's market is frequently conflated with that of his brother Raoul Dufy; collectors and appraisers must independently verify attribution before relying on comparable-sale data
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
- Library of Congress library authority
- Wikidata library authority
- Wikipedia wikipedia
- VIAF (OCLC) library authority
- Getty Vocabulary Program library authority
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 Jean Dufy 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 Jean Dufy artwork?
Yes. Appraisily can review photos, dimensions, signatures, condition, provenance, and comparable market data to prepare a current valuation.