Nicolas Chaperon Auction Prices and Value Guide
Nicolas Chaperon auction prices are tracked in Appraisily's artist market index, with source-directory coverage of 1,340 records. Use this page to review sold-lot activity, market context, and valuation factors before requesting a formal appraisal.
Nicolas Chaperon auction prices: quick answer
Nicolas Chaperon auction prices depend on medium, size, date, condition, provenance, edition details, attribution confidence, and recent comparable auction sales.
- Artist
- Nicolas Chaperon
- Source records
- 1,340
- Market update
- 2026-02-06
Artist context
About Nicolas Chaperon
Nicolas Chaperon (baptized Châteaudun, October 19, 1612; died Rome, circa 1656) was a French painter, draughtsman, and engraver whose career bridges the Parisian studio tradition of Simon Vouet and the classical reform of Nicolas Poussin. Trained under Vouet in Paris, Chaperon adopted his master's decorative Baroque manner before departing for Rome around 1642. There he entered Poussin's circle and spent nearly a decade copying and interpreting the works of Raphael under Poussin's direct guidance, a formative experience that reshaped his style toward restrained classicism. Chaperon signed his works at various times as "Chapron" or "Chappron," a practice reflected in auction catalogues and library authority records today. Scholars since Félibien (1666–1688) have recognized his role in transmitting Raphaelesque compositions into French seventeenth-century art, making his paintings, drawings, and prints a point of contact for collectors of French Baroque and Old Master material.
French Baroque / ClassicismOil paintingDrawingEngraving / printmakingMythological scenesReligious / Biblical scenesCopies after Raphael
Common works and media
Chaperon produced oil paintings of mythological and religious subjects, preparatory and finished drawings in pen, ink, and wash, and a significant body of engravings—particularly reproductive prints after Raphael's Vatican frescoes and Poussin's compositions. Prints and drawings constitute a large share of his auction presence. Paintings are less common and tend to be smaller-scale cabinet works reflecting his classical Roman influence rather than large altarpieces.
Market and appraisal context
Nicolas Chaperon's auction record shows a thin but wide-dispersion market spanning 2005–2023, with 12 recorded lots of which only 5 carry realized prices. The priced lots range from €90 (Cambi Casa d'Aste, 2020, battle scene) to $192,000 (Christie's, 2005), with a median of €21,250. Christie's dominates the high end, accounting for the three highest prices: $192,000 in 2005, €26,900 in 2008, and €21,250 in 2011—all for oil paintings. Mid- and lower-tier houses (Osenat, Cambi Casa d'Aste, Material Culture, Isbilya Subastas, Dogny Auction) handle the remainder, mostly in the sub-€2,000 range or with no price recorded. No lots have appeared in the most recent 24 months (2024–2026), suggesting low liquidity at present. Oil paintings—especially mythological and religious subjects—command the strongest prices; engravings and prints trade at the low end. The enormous spread between the top price and the median reflects the premium placed on securely attributed, well-provenanced paintings versus workshop, circle-of, or reproductive works.
Auction categories and appraisal factors
Common auction categories
- Old Master Paintings
- Old Master Drawings
- Old Master Prints
Value drivers
- Attribution can be complicated by name-variant signatures (Chaperon, Chapron, Chappron) and his stylistic closeness to both Vouet and Poussin
- Drawings and engravings after Raphael produced under Poussin's guidance form a recognized portion of his documented output
- Provenance linking a work to his documented Roman or Paris periods may strengthen attribution confidence
- Attribution confidence: autograph works by Chaperon command premiums an order of magnitude above circle-of or 'after' designations; the name variants (Chaperon, Chapron, Chappron) complicate cataloguing and search.
- Medium: oil paintings dominate the high end (€21,250–$192,000), while engravings and prints cluster below €1,000.
- Provenance and scholarly reference: works cited in the 1999 Laveissière monograph or with documented Christie's provenance carry stronger market credibility.
Appraisal caveats
- Death date is uncertain; scholarly sources range from 1652 to circa 1656, which can complicate dating unsigned works.
- Works have appeared at auction under both 'Chaperon' and 'Chapron'; search and attribution should account for both spellings.
- The 1,340+ recorded auction appearances on Invaluable suggest a substantial body of attributed and circle-of works; condition, authentication, and scholarly cataloguing significantly affect value.
- Only 5 of 12 recorded lots carry realized prices; the remaining 7 (including all four Material Culture lots from 2022) lack price data, which may indicate unsold lots, withdrawn works, or data gaps. The price distribution should be interpreted cautiously.
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
- VIAF / OCLC library authority
- Wikidata library authority
- 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 Nicolas Chaperon 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 Nicolas Chaperon artwork?
Yes. Appraisily can review photos, dimensions, signatures, condition, provenance, and comparable market data to prepare a current valuation.