Sébastien Bourdon Auction Prices and Value Guide
Sébastien Bourdon auction prices are tracked in Appraisily's artist market index, with source-directory coverage of 184 records. Use this page to review sold-lot activity, market context, and valuation factors before requesting a formal appraisal.
Sébastien Bourdon auction prices: quick answer
Sébastien Bourdon auction prices depend on medium, size, date, condition, provenance, edition details, attribution confidence, and recent comparable auction sales.
- Artist
- Sébastien Bourdon
- Source records
- 184
- Market update
- 2026-02-06
Artist context
About Sébastien Bourdon
Sébastien Bourdon (1616–1671) was a French painter, engraver, and draftsperson recognized as one of the most versatile artists of the French Baroque. Born in Montpellier, he trained and worked across France, Italy, and Sweden, absorbing influences from Nicolas Poussin, Claude Lorrain, and the Bamboccianti circle of genre painters active in Rome. A devout Protestant, Bourdon fled Italy during the Papal Inquisition and eventually returned to Paris, where he became one of the twelve founding members of the Académie Royale de Peinture et de Sculpture in 1648. His surviving masterwork, The Crucifixion of St. Peter, was commissioned for Notre Dame cathedral. Bourdon's output spans religious history painting, Italianate landscapes, genre scenes, and portraits, making his work encountered across a wide range of collecting categories.
BaroqueBambocciantiFrench ClassicismOil paintingEngravingFrescoDrawingReligious and biblical scenesLandscapeGenre scenes
Common works and media
Bourdon commonly produced oil paintings on canvas and panel, encompassing religious and mythological history scenes, idealized Italianate landscapes, and smaller-scale genre compositions influenced by the Bamboccianti. He also worked in fresco and was an accomplished engraver; his prints and preparatory drawings appear on the market. Collectors may encounter pendant landscapes, biblical narratives such as depictions of Saint Peter and the Adoration scenes, and compositional studies in red chalk or ink wash.
Market and appraisal context
Bourdon's work appears in the Old Master paintings and Old Master prints and drawings auction categories. Key valuation factors include secure attribution to the artist versus studio or follower works, the subject matter (religious compositions and Italianate landscapes tend to be most desirable), documented provenance especially to notable French or Swedish collections, and overall condition. With over 500 works catalogued by the RKD, his oeuvre is substantial for a 17th-century French painter. Collectors should note that attribution can be nuanced and expert connoisseurship is often required. Comparable public auction records and sale history should be reviewed for current market benchmarks.
Auction categories and appraisal factors
Value drivers
- Attribution: works securely attributed to Bourdon command higher values; studio or follower pieces require expert connoisseurship
- Medium and subject: religious history paintings and Italianate landscapes are the most sought-after categories
- Provenance: documented provenance linking to known 17th-century French or Swedish royal collections adds significant value
- Condition: as with all 17th-century works, condition, relining history, and inpainting affect appraised value
- RKD records 541 images attributed to Bourdon, indicating a substantial body of work and ongoing cataloguing activity
Appraisal caveats
- No specific realized auction prices are available in the source pack; Appraisily and Invaluable auction records should be consulted for comparable lots
- Attribution of Old Master works can be complex; expert authentication may be required for appraisal
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
- Wikidata library authority
- Getty Vocabulary Program library authority
- VIAF library authority
- Wikipedia wikipedia
- Library of Congress 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 Sébastien Bourdon 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 Sébastien Bourdon artwork?
Yes. Appraisily can review photos, dimensions, signatures, condition, provenance, and comparable market data to prepare a current valuation.