> Source: https://www.openingbid.art/artist/jean-de-la-fontaine · updated 2026-11-01

# Jean de La Fontaine (1621–1695)

## What is Jean de La Fontaine’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 29 auction results for Jean de La Fontaine at 7 houses since 2003. Over the last 24 months the median price was $1,177 including buyer’s premium (middle half $771–$9,562, n=5). The auction record is $301,948 for Fables choisies, mises en vers (2019, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

**Top auction records: paintings, drawings & sculpture**

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fables, 1952 | Tin | $97,285 | Christie's | Nov 2003 |
| 2 | Fables, 1814 | Tin | $7,809 | Sotheby's | Dec 2022 |
| 3 | Fables choisies, mises en vers, 1755 | Fer | $4,974 | Christie's | Nov 2006 |

**Top auction records: prints & editions**

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fables choisies, mises en vers, 1755-1759 | Book with engravings on Imperial Auvergne paper, hand-colored | $301,948 | Christie's | Nov 2019 |
| 2 | Fables choisies, mises en vers, 1755-1759 | Printed book with engravings | $26,175 | Christie's | Jun 2022 |
| 3 | Fables choisies mises en vers, 1765-1775 | Book with engraved illustrations, red morocco leather binding | $22,066 | Christie's | Nov 2025 |
| 4 | Fables choisies, mises en vers, 1678-1694 | Book with engravings | $9,562 | Christie's | Nov 2025 |
| 5 | Fables, 1755-1759 | Book, first edition on Holland paper, with 275 plates and 209 woodcut cul-de-lampe | $9,036 | Sotheby's | Dec 2023 |
| 6 | Fables, 1765-1775 | Entirely engraved in intaglio (taille-douce), on Holland paper | $6,656 | Sotheby's | Dec 2023 |
| 7 | Fables, 1787 | Book with 274 engravings and 1 frontispiece | $5,235 | Christie's | Jun 2022 |

**Median price by medium (last 24 months, n ≥ 5)**

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Prints | 13 | $5,235 |
| Other | 13 | $2,343 |

**Median price by size (last 24 months, n ≥ 5)**

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Small (under 50 cm) | 19 | $2,780 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 29 results from 7 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Jean de La Fontaine is a French artist with 38 auction lots recorded since 2003, median price $2,496. Some sold prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium; they are marked on this page.

A work by Jean de La Fontaine sold in 2025 for $22,066, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Jean de La Fontaine work worth?

Across 25 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Jean de La Fontaine work is $2,496.

The median Jean de La Fontaine print sells for $4,147 across 12 lots.

The median Jean de La Fontaine photograph sells for $1,380 across 2 lots.

The median Jean de La Fontaine work on paper sells for $1,928 across 1 lots.

Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

## Price breakdown by category

| Category | Lots tracked | Median price | Record price | Sell-through | Last sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prints & Editions | 12 | $4,147† | $301,948 | — | 2025-11-19 |
| Works on Paper | 1 | $1,928 | $1,928 | — | 2019-11-26 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 1 | $6,656 | $6,656 | — | 2023-12-18 |
| Photography | 2 | $1,380 | $2,343 | — | 2024-12-04 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

## Price by size

### Prints & Editions

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 8 | $2,167–$13,715 | $4,008 | $301,948 |

Size is the work's longest edge. Cells appear only with at least 5 sold lots.

## Notable results

| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Prints & Editions | 2019 | $301,948 |
| Prints & Editions | 2022 | $26,175 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2023 | $6,656 |
| Photography | 2011 | $2,343 |
| Works on Paper | 2019 | $1,928 |
| Photography | 2024 | $417 |

The highest recorded result in each medium. The full sale history is in the OpeningBid app (free sign-up).

## Frequently asked questions

### What is a Jean de La Fontaine worth?

Across 25 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Jean de La Fontaine work is $2,496. The median Jean de La Fontaine print sells for $4,147 across 12 lots. The median Jean de La Fontaine photograph sells for $1,380 across 2 lots. The median Jean de La Fontaine work on paper sells for $1,928 across 1 lots. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is the average price of a Jean de La Fontaine print?

Based on 12 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Jean de La Fontaine print is $4,147. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is Jean de La Fontaine's most expensive print?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Jean de La Fontaine print is $301,948.

### What is Jean de La Fontaine's auction record?

Jean de La Fontaine's auction record is $301,948, set in 2019.

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Data last updated 2026-11-01. OpeningBid tracks 15,222,099 auction lots from 571 auction houses, refreshed nightly.

Cite this page as: OpeningBid, “Jean de La Fontaine auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/jean-de-la-fontaine (updated 2026-11-01).

Historical auction data, not investment advice. Prices are premium-inclusive USD where the buyer's premium is recorded. Figures marked † are hammer prices (buyer's premium not included); ‡ marks a price whose basis is not yet verified. Non-USD results are converted at the sale month's rate.