# Nassos Daphnis artist context and auction value notes

Canonical page: https://appraisily.com/artist/nassos-daphnis/
Profile generated: 2026-05-31T03:49:15.421Z
Quality: high confidence, strong sources

## Artist identity

- Birth date: 1914-07-23
- Death date: 2010-11-23
- Nationality: Greek-American
- Movements: Abstract painting
- Common media: Painting, Sculpture

## About Nassos Daphnis

Nassos Daphnis (1914–2010) was a Greek-born American abstract painter and sculptor who spent most of his career working in the United States. Born in Krokeés, Greece, Daphnis emigrated to America and became active as an artist from the 1930s onward. He is recognized for abstract painting and is represented in major institutional collections, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Beyond visual art, Daphnis was also a noted tree peony breeder, a dual career that places him in an unusual position at the intersection of horticulture and modern art. His work appears regularly at auction, and his identity is well-documented in Getty ULAN, VIAF, the Library of Congress, and the RKD Netherlands Institute for Art History.

## Common works and media

Collectors and appraisers encountering Daphnis's work will most often find abstract paintings on canvas or panel. Sculptural works are also documented but appear less frequently. Works may range from mid-century to later periods. Auction listings typically describe paintings with attention to title, date, dimensions, medium, and provenance. Editioned prints, if any, are not well-represented in the available sources.

## Market and appraisal context

Daphnis's work surfaces at auction with some frequency, with over 190 lots recorded in the Invaluable database. His institutional presence at MoMA lends provenance credibility and supports long-term collector interest. Key factors affecting appraisal include medium (painting vs. sculpture), dimensions, date of execution, provenance history, condition, and whether the work can be tied to a known exhibition or publication. Specific sale records should be consulted for comparable pricing rather than relying on broad estimates.

## Appraisily data basis

This artist page combines identity research from library-authority files (Getty ULAN, VIAF, Library of Congress, RKD) with auction records and comparable lot data from the Invaluable platform. Biographical details are drawn from multiple independent authority sources. Market observations reference institutional holdings and auction appearance frequency; realized prices and specific comparable lots are available through the linked auction records.

## Sources

- RKD Netherlands Institute for Art History: https://rkd.nl/en/explore/artists/20035
- Getty Vocabulary Program: https://vocab.getty.edu/page/ulan/500004321
- VIAF: https://viaf.org/viaf/46649490/
- Wikidata: https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6967681
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nassos_Daphnis
- The Museum of Modern Art: https://www.moma.org/artists/1385
- Library of Congress: https://id.loc.gov/authorities/names/nr95002858