Théodore Géricault Auction Prices and Value Guide

Théodore Géricault auction prices are tracked in Appraisily's artist market index, with source-directory coverage of 715 records. Use this page to review sold-lot activity, market context, and valuation factors before requesting a formal appraisal.

Théodore Géricault auction prices: quick answer

Théodore Géricault auction prices depend on medium, size, date, condition, provenance, edition details, attribution confidence, and recent comparable auction sales.

Artist
Théodore Géricault
Source records
715
Market update
2026-02-06

Artist context

About Théodore Géricault

Théodore Géricault (1791–1824) was a French painter, lithographer, and draftsman whose dramatic compositions helped define the Romantic movement in French art. Born Jean-Louis André Théodore Géricault in Rouen, he trained in Paris and studied the Old Masters intensively, copying Rembrandt's paintings at the Louvre. His masterpiece, The Raft of the Medusa (1818–19), depicting a contemporary shipwreck scandal, became one of the most debated paintings of its era and remains a landmark of Romantic painting at the Musée du Louvre. Géricault also produced a significant body of lithographs, equestrian subjects, and portraits of the mentally ill that reflected his interest in psychology and marginal experience. His career spanned roughly 1810 to 1824, cut short by his death at age 32. Despite his brief output, Géricault influenced a generation of Romantic painters including Eugène Delacroix. Collectors today encounter his work primarily through drawings, prints, and the rare painting at auction.

Romanticismoil paintinglithographydrawingsculpturehistorical and contemporary eventshorses and equestrian subjectsportraitsmilitary subjects

Common works and media

Common Géricault works encountered at auction and in appraisal contexts include lithographs (especially equestrian scenes and narrative subjects), pen-and-ink drawings, watercolor studies, and oil paintings on canvas or panel. His print output includes lithographic series depicting horses, military scenes, and subjects from contemporary life. Drawings range from quick compositional sketches to finished presentation sheets. Oil paintings span monumental history paintings, cavalry and horse portraits, and landscapes. Works on paper form the largest share of market appearances. Attribution to Géricault's circle or followers is common and should be assessed by specialists familiar with his draughtsmanship and printmaking techniques.

Market and appraisal context

Géricault's auction market spans 161 recorded lots from 2003 through early 2026, with 91 carrying realized prices. The market is anchored by major houses—Sotheby's and Christie's dominate the upper tier, while Tajan, Artcurial, Bonhams, and Piasa handle mid-range works, and Swann Auction Galleries, Roseberys, Hampel Fine Art Auctions, and Koller cover prints and works on paper. Prices are widely dispersed: the entry level starts around $100 for later impressions and minor prints, the median sits near $8,125, and the upper quartile reaches $35,000. The recorded maximum of $970,000 reflects a premium oil or major study. Liquidity is steady at roughly 11–12 lots per year, indicating consistent but limited supply—consistent with an artist whose major paintings are institutionally held. The most active categories are lithographs and works on paper, particularly equestrian subjects and studies related to The Raft of the Medusa. Drawings and gouaches carry significantly higher values than prints, with Sotheby's and Bonhams recording prices of €30,000–65,000 for attributed study sheets.

Auction categories and appraisal factors

Common auction categories

  • oil painting
  • lithography
  • drawing
  • works on paper
  • prints

Value drivers

  1. [object Object]

Appraisal caveats

  • The source pack does not include specific auction-house realized-price records. Market estimates should be corroborated with recent comparable lots from major auction houses.
  • Géricault's most celebrated paintings are held in public institutions and do not circulate on the commercial market.
  • [object Object]

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 Théodore Géricault

LLM summary index · LLM full index

Artist value FAQ

How much is Théodore Géricault 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 Théodore Géricault artwork?

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