Jean Messagier (1920–1999)
What is Jean Messagier’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 375 auction results for Jean Messagier at 36 houses since 1990. Over the last 24 months the median price was $5,860 including buyer’s premium (middle half $2,812–$10,868, n=53). The auction record is $66,655 for La grande fracture des matins (2026, PIASA). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | La grande fracture des matins, 1920 | Acrylic paint | $66,655 | PIASA | Jun 2026 |
| 2 | Frontispice pour un printemps, 1961 | Huile sur toile | $44,495 | Artcurial | Dec 2018 |
| 3 | Les grands attrapeurs, 1961 | Oil paint | $43,487 | Sotheby's | Oct 2022 |
| 4 | Labours à ciel, 1969 | Oil on canvas | $42,651 | Sotheby's | Jun 2022 |
| 5 | L'Europe verte, 1966 | Oil on canvas | $39,985 | Sotheby's | Jun 2022 |
| 6 | Chiens de septembre, 1962 | Oil paint | $39,760 | Sotheby's | Oct 2022 |
| 7 | Paysage clitocybe, 1967 | Signée et titrée en bas à droite "Messagier | $36,842 | Artcurial | Mar 2020 |
| 8 | Traversée de Juin, 1956 | Painting | $35,560 | Sotheby's | Oct 2025 |
| 9 | Les rutileurs d'automne I, 1964 | Signée en bas à droite "Messagier" | $32,421 | Artcurial | Mar 2020 |
| 10 | Sans titre (huile sur toile), 1961 | Huile sur toile | $31,736 | Christie's | May 2008 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 123 | $8,070 |
| Other | 48 | $2,226 |
| Sculpture | 8 | $2,126 |
| Works on paper | 20 | $1,217 |
| Prints | 37 | $136 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 55 | $10,868 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 95 | $1,383 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 29 | $915 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 375 results from 36 houses · How we compute these figures
Jean Messagier is a French artist with 522 auction lots recorded since 1989, median price $2,878. 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 Messagier is recorded as sold in 2026 for $3,352; whether the price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
1 Jean Messagier work is coming to auction (as of 2026-11-02). Follow Jean Messagier free on OpeningBid for sale alerts.
See the full Jean Messagier record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Jean Messagier on OpeningBid →What is a Jean Messagier work worth?
Across 358 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Jean Messagier work is $2,878.
The median Jean Messagier painting sells for $7,575 across 162 lots.
The median Jean Messagier work on paper sells for $1,039 across 64 lots.
The median Jean Messagier print sells for $139 across 60 lots.
Large (over 120 cm) Jean Messagier paintings typically sell for $7,841–$16,375 (the middle half of 67 sold lots).
Medium (50–120 cm) Jean Messagier paintings typically sell for $3,097–$6,866 (the middle half of 50 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 | 75 | $139†‡ | $12,489 | 80% | 2026-10-11 |
| Paintings | 174 | $7,575†‡ | $66,655 | 93.1% | 2026-07-02 |
| Works on Paper | 75 | $1,039†‡ | $4,843† | 85.3% | 2026-06-30 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 16 | $2,042† | $5,517† | 81.3% | 2025-05-16 |
| Photography | 1 | — | — | 0% | — |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 19 | $31,736 | $66,655 | — | 2026-06-30 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Jean Messagier's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (75 lots) median $139 with 80% sell-through. Paintings (174 lots) median $7,575, record $66,655. A typical Jean Messagier painting sells for around 55× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 19 lots) the median is $31,736.
Price by size
Prints & Editions
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 50 | $105–$235†‡ | $139†‡ | $1,547 |
† 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) | 13 | $767–$3,323†‡ | $848†‡ | $5,978 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 50 | $3,097–$6,866†‡ | $5,108†‡ | $11,944 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 67 | $7,841–$16,375†‡ | $10,108†‡ | $66,655 |
† 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) | 18 | $187–$713† | $341† | $1,125 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 39 | $866–$2,346†‡ | $1,294†‡ | $4,843† |
† 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) | 12 | $1,194–$2,960† | $1,800† | $4,366 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.
Size is the work's longest edge. Cells appear only with at least 5 sold lots.
Notable results
| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 2026 | $66,655 |
| Paintings | 2018 | $44,495 |
| Prints & Editions | 2006 | $12,489 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2017 | $5,517† |
| Works on Paper | 2023 | $4,843† |
| Works on Paper | 2021 | $4,635‡ |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2025 | $4,366 |
| Prints & Editions | 2022 | $1,688 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
The highest recorded result in each medium. See the full sale history on OpeningBid.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Jean Messagier worth?
Across 358 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Jean Messagier work is $2,878. The median Jean Messagier painting sells for $7,575 across 162 lots. The median Jean Messagier work on paper sells for $1,039 across 64 lots. The median Jean Messagier print sells for $139 across 60 lots. Large (over 120 cm) Jean Messagier paintings typically sell for $7,841–$16,375 (the middle half of 67 sold lots). Medium (50–120 cm) Jean Messagier paintings typically sell for $3,097–$6,866 (the middle half of 50 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 Messagier painting?
Based on 162 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Jean Messagier painting is $7,575. 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 Messagier's most expensive painting?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Jean Messagier painting is $66,655.
What is the average price of a Jean Messagier work on paper?
Based on 64 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Jean Messagier work on paper is $1,039. 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 Messagier's most expensive work on paper?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Jean Messagier work on paper is $4,843. That record lot sold for a hammer price of $4,843 (buyer's premium not included).
What is the average price of a Jean Messagier print?
Based on 60 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Jean Messagier print is $139. 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 Messagier's most expensive print?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Jean Messagier print is $12,489.
What is the average price of a large Jean Messagier painting?
Based on 67 sold lots, the median auction price of a large Jean Messagier painting (large (over 120 cm)) is $10,108, 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 medium Jean Messagier painting?
Based on 50 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Jean Messagier painting (medium (50–120 cm)) is $5,108, 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 Messagier's auction record?
Jean Messagier's auction record is $66,655, set in 2026.
See the full Jean Messagier record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
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