Konstantin Andreevic Somov Auction Prices and Value Guide

Konstantin Andreevic Somov auction prices are tracked in Appraisily's artist market index, with source-directory coverage of 294 records. Use this page to review sold-lot activity, market context, and valuation factors before requesting a formal appraisal.

Konstantin Andreevic Somov auction prices: quick answer

Konstantin Andreevic Somov auction prices depend on medium, size, date, condition, provenance, edition details, attribution confidence, and recent comparable auction sales.

Artist
Konstantin Andreevic Somov
Source records
294
Market update
2026-02-16

Artist context

About Konstantin Andreevic Somov

Konstantin Andreevic Somov (1869–1939) was a Russian painter, draughtsman, and graphic artist recognized as a co-founder of the Mir iskusstva (World of Art) movement, which championed aesthetic refinement and individual artistry in late-imperial Russian culture. Born in Saint Petersburg to a family connected to the Hermitage—his father served as an art historian and conservator there—Somov trained at the Imperial Academy of Arts and absorbed the influences of eighteenth-century Rococo, Symbolism, and Romanticism. His work spans oil painting, watercolor, gouache, pastel, miniature painting, and book illustration, often blending elegant portraiture with dreamlike allegorical and decorative compositions. After the Russian Revolution, Somov joined the wave of émigré artists who resettled in Paris, where he continued working until his death in 1939. His paintings are held by major institutions including the Tate and appear regularly in international auctions.

Mir iskusstva (World of Art)Russian Modernismoil paintingwatercolorgouachepastelportraitslandscapesallegorical scenesbook illustration

Common works and media

Collectors and appraisers most frequently encounter Somov's works in oil on canvas or panel, watercolor and gouache on paper, pastel drawings, graphite and ink studies, and color lithographs or other prints. Common subjects include portraits—particularly of male companions and cultural figures—allegorical and romantic scenes, costume and genre compositions in a Rococo revival style, landscape studies, and illustrations for literary editions. Miniature paintings on ivory or panel also appear. His graphic output for Mir iskusstva publications and decorative book commissions circulates regularly in the print and illustrated-book market.

Market and appraisal context

Somov's work appears in the Russian Paintings, Works on Paper, and Prints sales at major auction houses. His 2007 auction record for The Rainbow at Christie's London (GBP 3,716,000) marked a notable high point for Russian art at the time. Oil paintings from his pre-revolutionary Mir iskusstva period typically achieve the strongest results, while his later Paris-period works, watercolors, prints, and illustrated books generally trade at lower levels. Collectors should consider medium, period, provenance, attribution, and condition when evaluating Somov pieces. Full appraisal requires review of comparable public auction records and, where possible, catalogue raisonné verification.

Auction categories and appraisal factors

Value drivers

  1. Medium: oil paintings and large-scale works generally command the highest prices; works on paper and prints are more accessible
  2. Period: pre-revolutionary works and Mir iskusstva-era pieces tend to be more sought after than later émigré-period works
  3. Provenance: documented history from major collections or direct estate provenance strengthens value
  4. Attribution: works with full authentication and exhibition history are valued above unsigned or undocumented pieces
  5. Subject matter: portraits, allegorical compositions, and figure studies are prominent in auction records

Appraisal caveats

  • Market data in this summary is derived from publicly reported auction highlights and biographical sources; a full appraisal requires comparable sale analysis and condition review.
  • The 2007 Christie's record (GBP 3,716,000 for The Rainbow) represented a peak for the artist at that time; individual results vary widely by medium, size, and period.

Evidence

Sources for artist context

This source-grounded artist context passed Appraisily's promotion threshold: high confidence, strong sources.

Source-grounded artist Markdown

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.

LLM-readable Markdown summary for Konstantin Andreevic Somov

LLM summary index · LLM full index

Artist value FAQ

How much is Konstantin Andreevic Somov 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 Konstantin Andreevic Somov artwork?

Yes. Appraisily can review photos, dimensions, signatures, condition, provenance, and comparable market data to prepare a current valuation.