Pierre Tal-Coat Auction Prices and Value Guide
Pierre Tal-Coat auction prices are tracked in Appraisily's artist market index, with source-directory coverage of 783 records. Use this page to review sold-lot activity, market context, and valuation factors before requesting a formal appraisal.
Pierre Tal-Coat auction prices: quick answer
Pierre Tal-Coat auction prices depend on medium, size, date, condition, provenance, edition details, attribution confidence, and recent comparable auction sales.
- Artist
- Pierre Tal-Coat
- Source records
- 783
- Market update
- 2026-02-16
Artist context
About Pierre Tal-Coat
Pierre Tal-Coat (born Pierre Louis Jacob, 1905–1985) was a French painter, sculptor, and graphic artist recognized as a leading figure of Art informel and Tachisme, the post-war European movements that emphasized gestural abstraction and spontaneous mark-making. Born in Clohars-Carnoët in Brittany, he adopted the pseudonym Tal-Coat—Breton for 'front of wood'—around 1927. Over a career spanning five decades, he worked across oil painting, watercolor, pastel, drawing, printmaking, and sculpture. His work is held by major institutions including the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Tal-Coat died in Saint-Pierre-de-Bailleul, Eure, in 1985.
TachismeArt informelpaintingsculpturepastelwatercolor
Common works and media
Collectors and appraisers most frequently encounter Tal-Coat's oil-on-canvas abstract compositions, often characterized by bold gestural brushwork and earthy or muted palettes. Watercolors, pastels, and ink drawings also appear regularly at auction. He produced graphic works and illustrated books, and a smaller number of sculptures are known. Prints—both lithographs and etchings—circulate in the secondary market. Subjects range from fully non-objective abstractions to landscape-derived compositions reflecting his Breton roots.
Market and appraisal context
Tal-Coat's work appears at auction primarily as oil paintings, works on paper (watercolors, pastels, drawings), and prints. His mature gestural abstractions from the 1950s and 1960s—associated with the Tachiste circle—are the most widely traded. Appraisal should account for medium and support, dimensions, date of execution, provenance history, condition, and whether the work is signed with one of his known name forms. Catalogue and authority records list multiple signing conventions, so attribution verification is an important step. No published catalogue raisonné was identified in available sources.
Auction categories and appraisal factors
Common auction categories
- Post-War European painting
- Works on paper (drawings, watercolors, pastels)
- Prints and graphic works
Value drivers
- Medium and support: oil on canvas generally commands higher values than works on paper or prints
- Provenance and exhibition history: works with documented gallery or museum provenance are more sought after
- Period: mature Tachiste/Art informel works from the 1950s–1960s tend to be the most recognized
- Attribution: works signed 'Tal-Coat' or 'Tal Coat'; name variations should be verified against catalogues and authority records
Appraisal caveats
- No catalogue raisonné or dedicated estate website was found in the source pack; attribution verification may require additional expert consultation.
- The artist used multiple name forms (Tal-Coat, Tal Coat, Pierre Jacob); auction listings may appear under variant spellings.
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
- The Museum of Modern Art museum or university
- Wikipedia wikipedia
- Wikidata library authority
- VIAF (OCLC) 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 Pierre Tal-Coat 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 Pierre Tal-Coat artwork?
Yes. Appraisily can review photos, dimensions, signatures, condition, provenance, and comparable market data to prepare a current valuation.