Jean Fautrier (1898–1964)
What is Jean Fautrier’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 789 auction results for Jean Fautrier at 62 houses since 1990. Over the last 24 months the median price was $8,143 including buyer’s premium (middle half $1,498–$80,462, n=96). The auction record is $6,234,586 for Pièges (Traps) (2021, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pièges (Traps), 1946 | Mixed media | $6,234,586 | Christie's | Mar 2021 |
| 2 | Corps d’otage, 1943 | Mixed media | $4,251,535 | Sotheby's | Mar 2021 |
| 3 | Otage, 1943 | Technique mixte sur papier marouflé sur toile | $1,946,494 | Christie's | Oct 2024 |
| 4 | Tête d’otage N. 15, 1944 | Mixed media | $1,547,035 | Sotheby's | Mar 2021 |
| 5 | I'm falling in Love, 1957 | Oil paint | $1,045,951 | Phillips | Oct 2021 |
| 6 | Tête d'otage no. 19, 1944 | Mixed media | $968,531 | Sotheby's | Mar 2026 |
| 7 | I'm Falling in Love, 1957 | Oil paint | $932,735 | Christie's | Jun 2007 |
| 8 | Nu, 1956 | Mixed media | $793,851 | Christie's | Jun 2021 |
| 9 | Tête de sanglier, 1985 | Oil on canvas | $688,252 | Sotheby's | Jun 2018 |
| 10 | Otage, 1943 | Sculpture : 58 x 27 x 24,5 cm; 22 ⅞ x 10 ⅝ x 9 ⅝ in | $575,142 | Sotheby's | Oct 2025 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 147 | $92,383 |
| Sculpture | 30 | $43,632 |
| Other | 136 | $4,319 |
| Works on paper | 89 | $3,487 |
| Prints | 111 | $673 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 7 | $379,969 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 160 | $17,048 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 263 | $4,251 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 789 results from 62 houses · How we compute these figures
Jean Fautrier is a French artist with 1,138 auction lots recorded since 1990, median price $2,759. Some sold prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium; they are marked on this page. Some sold prices are not yet verified as premium-inclusive or hammer, and are marked on this page.
A work by Jean Fautrier is recorded as sold in 2026 for $147,470; whether the price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
7 Jean Fautrier works are coming to auction (as of 2026-11-02). Follow Jean Fautrier free on OpeningBid for sale alerts.
See the full Jean Fautrier record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Jean Fautrier on OpeningBid →What is a Jean Fautrier work worth?
Across 780 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Jean Fautrier work is $2,759.
The median Jean Fautrier print sells for $544 across 239 lots.
The median Jean Fautrier work on paper sells for $3,435 across 196 lots.
The median Jean Fautrier painting sells for $77,117 across 141 lots.
Small (under 50 cm) Jean Fautrier prints typically sell for $323–$794 (the middle half of 150 sold lots).
Small (under 50 cm) Jean Fautrier work on papers typically sell for $1,909–$6,510 (the middle half of 131 sold lots).
Prices are premium-inclusive where the house records them; hammer-only prices exclude the buyer's premium, and some prices are not yet basis-verified.
Price breakdown by category
| Category | Lots tracked | Median price | Record price | Sell-through | Last sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prints & Editions | 392 | $544†‡ | $688,252 | 61% | 2026-10-02 |
| Paintings | 157 | $77,117†‡ | $515,034 | 89.8% | 2026-08-28 |
| Works on Paper | 241 | $3,435†‡ | $1M | 81.3% | 2026-09-08 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 31 | $43,808†‡ | $575,142 | — | 2026-10-27 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 117 | $165,356†‡ | $6.2M | — | 2026-10-27 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Jean Fautrier's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (392 lots) median $544 with 61% sell-through. Paintings (157 lots) median $77,117, record $515,034. A typical Jean Fautrier painting sells for around 142× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 117 lots) the median is $165,356.
Price by size
Prints & Editions
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 150 | $323–$794†‡ | $490†‡ | $31,320 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 58 | $487–$1,308†‡ | $689†‡ | $688,252 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Paintings
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 56 | $18,696–$95,882†‡ | $45,400†‡ | $411,201 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 67 | $63,030–$189,809†‡ | $112,910†‡ | $515,034 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Works on Paper
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 131 | $1,909–$6,510†‡ | $3,038†‡ | $198,642 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 38 | $2,407–$15,685†‡ | $4,083†‡ | $1M |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Sculpture & Installation
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 25 | $21,283–$49,398†‡ | $36,779†‡ | $147,470‡ |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Size is the work's longest edge. Cells appear only with at least 5 sold lots.
Notable results
| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Works on Paper | 2021 | $1M |
| Works on Paper | 2007 | $932,735 |
| Prints & Editions | 2018 | $688,252 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2025 | $575,142 |
| Paintings | 2009 | $515,034 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2022 | $420,303 |
| Paintings | 2016 | $411,201 |
| Prints & Editions | 2008 | $31,320 |
The highest recorded result in each medium. See the full sale history on OpeningBid.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Jean Fautrier worth?
Across 780 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Jean Fautrier work is $2,759. The median Jean Fautrier print sells for $544 across 239 lots. The median Jean Fautrier work on paper sells for $3,435 across 196 lots. The median Jean Fautrier painting sells for $77,117 across 141 lots. Small (under 50 cm) Jean Fautrier prints typically sell for $323–$794 (the middle half of 150 sold lots). Small (under 50 cm) Jean Fautrier work on papers typically sell for $1,909–$6,510 (the middle half of 131 sold lots). Prices are premium-inclusive where the house records them; hammer-only prices exclude the buyer's premium, and some prices are not yet basis-verified.
What is the average price of a Jean Fautrier print?
Based on 239 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Jean Fautrier print is $544. Prices are premium-inclusive where the house records them; hammer-only prices exclude the buyer's premium, and some prices are not yet basis-verified.
What is Jean Fautrier's most expensive print?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Jean Fautrier print is $688,252.
What is the average price of a Jean Fautrier work on paper?
Based on 196 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Jean Fautrier work on paper is $3,435. Prices are premium-inclusive where the house records them; hammer-only prices exclude the buyer's premium, and some prices are not yet basis-verified.
What is Jean Fautrier's most expensive work on paper?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Jean Fautrier work on paper is $1,045,951.
What is the average price of a Jean Fautrier painting?
Based on 141 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Jean Fautrier painting is $77,117. Prices are premium-inclusive where the house records them; hammer-only prices exclude the buyer's premium, and some prices are not yet basis-verified.
What is Jean Fautrier's most expensive painting?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Jean Fautrier painting is $515,034.
What is the average price of a small Jean Fautrier print?
Based on 150 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Jean Fautrier print (small (under 50 cm)) is $490, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Prices are premium-inclusive where the house records them; hammer-only prices exclude the buyer's premium, and some prices are not yet basis-verified.
What is the average price of a small Jean Fautrier work on paper?
Based on 131 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Jean Fautrier work on paper (small (under 50 cm)) is $3,038, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Prices are premium-inclusive where the house records them; hammer-only prices exclude the buyer's premium, and some prices are not yet basis-verified.
What is Jean Fautrier's auction record?
Jean Fautrier's auction record is $6,234,586, set in 2021.
See the full Jean Fautrier record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Jean Fautrier on OpeningBid →