Mathurin Moreau Auction Prices and Value Guide
Mathurin Moreau auction prices are tracked in Appraisily's artist market index, with source-directory coverage of 1,628 records. Use this page to review sold-lot activity, market context, and valuation factors before requesting a formal appraisal.
Mathurin Moreau auction prices: quick answer
Mathurin Moreau auction prices depend on medium, size, date, condition, provenance, edition details, attribution confidence, and recent comparable auction sales.
- Artist
- Mathurin Moreau
- Source records
- 1,628
- Market update
- 2026-02-06
Artist context
About Mathurin Moreau
Mathurin Moreau (1822–1912) was a French sculptor and entrepreneur recognized as one of the most prolific academic sculptors of the nineteenth century. Born in Dijon and active in Paris, he trained under Augustin Dumont and became known for allegorical, mythological, and figurative compositions in bronze and marble. Moreau belonged to a distinguished family of sculptors that included his brothers Hippolyte and Auguste Moreau, and he taught a generation of younger artists who carried academic sculptural traditions into the early twentieth century. His work was widely exhibited during his lifetime, and his models were cast in multiple editions by leading French foundries. Collectors today encounter his sculptures across a range of scales, from monumental public commissions to smaller decorative bronzes intended for the private market.
Academic artsculpture (bronze, marble, plaster)allegorymythologyfigurenude
Common works and media
Collectors most frequently encounter Mathurin Moreau's work in the form of bronze figurines and tabletop sculptures depicting allegorical female figures, mythological subjects, and genre scenes. Marble busts and relief plaques also appear, along with larger-scale plaster maquettes for public monuments. Many of his bronze models were produced in reduced editions by French foundries, making medium-sized allegorical and romantic figurines the most commonly appraised category. Period examples range from candelabra and clock-case ornaments to freestanding garden sculpture.
Market and appraisal context
Mathurin Moreau maintains a deep and liquid secondary market. Appraisily's auction-record index traces 891 catalogued lots spanning 1994 to April 2026, of which 606 carry realized prices. The price distribution is wide: the minimum recorded price is $60 and the maximum is $3,800,000, with a median of $1,400, a 25th percentile of $750, and a 75th percentile of $3,250. This dispersion reflects the broad range of Moreau's output—from small decorative bronze editions to rare monumental or gilded-bronze compositions. Recent 12-month volume (92 priced lots) is only modestly below the prior 12-month volume (108 lots), indicating sustained collector demand rather than a declining market. Top-tier houses Sotheby's and Christie's appear alongside strong regional specialists (Flanders Auctions, Bonhams, Bernaerts Auctioneers, HVMC, Setdart, Freeman's | Hindman, Simpson Galleries), confirming broad institutional and trade interest across North America and Europe.
Auction categories and appraisal factors
Common auction categories
- 19th Century European Sculpture
- Bronze Sculpture
- Decorative Art
- Sculpture (bronze, marble, plaster)
Value drivers
- Medium and material: bronze, marble, and plaster versions of the same model may differ significantly in value.
- Foundry marks and edition: presence of foundry stamps (e.g., Val d'Osne, Barbedienne), edition numbering, and patina quality affect appraisal.
- Scale and subject: large-scale public monument maquettes and allegorical figures tend to command higher prices than small decorative editions.
- Attribution: the Moreau family includes multiple sculptors (Mathurin, Hippolyte, Auguste); confirming the correct hand is essential for accurate attribution.
- Medium and material: bronze, marble, and plaster versions of the same model command different values; gilded-bronze examples (e.g., 'Venus of the Mirror' at €5,000) tend to outperform standard patinated bronze of similar scale.
- Scale and complexity: large or multi-figure compositions such as 'Putto with Torch' (€4,000) and the Monte-Carlo lot (€36,000) significantly exceed tabletop allegorical figures ($300–$1,250).
Appraisal caveats
- No specific auction records or price data were available in the collected source pack; collectors should consult dedicated auction databases for realized prices.
- Large decorative editions produced during Moreau's lifetime and later posthumous casts may circulate; provenance and foundry documentation help distinguish them.
- The $60–$3,800,000 price range is extremely wide; the vast majority of lots cluster between $300 and $5,000, and the maximum likely represents a museum-quality or monumental work that is not comparable to typical collector pieces.
- Some lots listed as 'Mathurin Moreau' may be after or attributed to rather than by the artist; the Setdart lot titled 'd'après' and similar attributions should not be used as direct comparables without adjustment.
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 museum or university
- VIAF (OCLC) library authority
- Wikidata library authority
- Wikipedia wikipedia
- 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 Mathurin Moreau 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 Mathurin Moreau artwork?
Yes. Appraisily can review photos, dimensions, signatures, condition, provenance, and comparable market data to prepare a current valuation.