Paul César Helleu (1859–1927)
What is Paul César Helleu’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 345 auction results for Paul César Helleu at 33 houses since 1998. Over the last 24 months the median price was $2,794 including buyer’s premium (middle half $1,385–$6,777, n=25). The auction record is $221,000 for Madame Helleu à son bureau (2015, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Madame Helleu à son bureau, 1859 | Oil paint | $221,000 | Christie's | Oct 2015 |
| 2 | Le grand pavois (The Royal Yacht Squadron), 1901 | Oil paint | $152,019 | Christie's | Jun 2004 |
| 3 | Camara | Pastel on linen | $151,200 | Sotheby's | May 2022 |
| 4 | Portrait d'Élisabeth de Caraman-Chimay, comtesse Greffulhe dans un intérieur de style empire, 1891 | Pastel sur toile, monté sur chassis | $88,316 | Christie's | Nov 2025 |
| 5 | Portrait de Mme Helleu lisant debout, 1896 | Oil paint | $81,250 | Christie's | Oct 2019 |
| 6 | Portrait of Mae Murray | Pastel on linen | $75,600 | Sotheby's | Jan 2023 |
| 7 | Portrait de femme, 1859 | Pencil | $72,911 | Christie's | Jun 2001 |
| 8 | Portrait de Lucette, 1913 | Pastel on linen | $63,000 | Sotheby's | May 2022 |
| 9 | Portrait of Jessie Margery Dunthorne, 1859 | Portrait | $44,678 | Christie's | Jun 2011 |
| 10 | Portrait de Alice, la femme de l'artiste, 1890 | Charcoal | $42,775 | Christie's | Jul 2016 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 11 | $44,678 |
| Works on paper | 58 | $8,659 |
| Other | 56 | $6,519 |
| Prints | 162 | $2,131 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 152 | $5,177 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 119 | $2,102 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 345 results from 33 houses · How we compute these figures
Paul César Helleu is a French artist with 472 auction lots recorded since 1998, median price $2,868. 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 Paul César Helleu sold in 2026 for $8,833, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
5 Paul César Helleu works are coming to auction (as of 2026-11-02). Follow Paul César Helleu free on OpeningBid for sale alerts.
See the full Paul César Helleu record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Paul César Helleu on OpeningBid →What is a Paul César Helleu work worth?
Across 337 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Paul César Helleu work is $2,868.
The median Paul César Helleu print sells for $1,998 across 199 lots.
The median Paul César Helleu work on paper sells for $7,400 across 118 lots.
The median Paul César Helleu painting sells for $44,678 across 12 lots.
Small (under 50 cm) Paul César Helleu prints typically sell for $796–$2,761 (the middle half of 104 sold lots).
Medium (50–120 cm) Paul César Helleu prints typically sell for $1,235–$4,521 (the middle half of 89 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 | 220 | $1,998†‡ | $18,000 | 90.5% | 2026-09-17 |
| Paintings | 14 | $44,678 | $221,000 | 85.7% | 2024-03-20 |
| Works on Paper | 125 | $7,400†‡ | $151,200 | 94.4% | 2026-06-30 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 17 | $44,678 | $221,000 | — | 2025-11-18 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Paul César Helleu's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (220 lots) median $1,998 with 90.5% sell-through. Paintings (14 lots) median $44,678, record $221,000. A typical Paul César Helleu painting sells for around 22× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 17 lots) the median is $44,678.
Price by size
Prints & Editions
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 104 | $796–$2,761†‡ | $1,609†‡ | $12,244 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 89 | $1,235–$4,521†‡ | $2,500†‡ | $18,000 |
† 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 8 | $40,307–$98,942 | $58,794 | $221,000 |
Works on Paper
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 36 | $1,403–$6,818†‡ | $3,945†‡ | $18,154 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 66 | $5,356–$17,660‡ | $10,126‡ | $151,200 |
† 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 2015 | $221,000 |
| Paintings | 2004 | $152,019 |
| Works on Paper | 2022 | $151,200 |
| Works on Paper | 2025 | $88,316 |
| Prints & Editions | 2010 | $18,000 |
| Prints & Editions | 2025 | $16,622 |
The highest recorded result in each medium. See the full sale history on OpeningBid.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Paul César Helleu worth?
Across 337 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Paul César Helleu work is $2,868. The median Paul César Helleu print sells for $1,998 across 199 lots. The median Paul César Helleu work on paper sells for $7,400 across 118 lots. The median Paul César Helleu painting sells for $44,678 across 12 lots. Small (under 50 cm) Paul César Helleu prints typically sell for $796–$2,761 (the middle half of 104 sold lots). Medium (50–120 cm) Paul César Helleu prints typically sell for $1,235–$4,521 (the middle half of 89 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 Paul César Helleu print?
Based on 199 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Paul César Helleu print is $1,998. 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 Paul César Helleu's most expensive print?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Paul César Helleu print is $18,000.
What is the average price of a Paul César Helleu work on paper?
Based on 118 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Paul César Helleu work on paper is $7,400. 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 Paul César Helleu's most expensive work on paper?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Paul César Helleu work on paper is $151,200.
What is the average price of a Paul César Helleu painting?
Based on 12 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Paul César Helleu painting is $44,678.
What is Paul César Helleu's most expensive painting?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Paul César Helleu painting is $221,000.
What is the average price of a small Paul César Helleu print?
Based on 104 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Paul César Helleu print (small (under 50 cm)) is $1,609, 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 Paul César Helleu print?
Based on 89 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Paul César Helleu print (medium (50–120 cm)) is $2,500, 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 Paul César Helleu's auction record?
Paul César Helleu's auction record is $221,000, set in 2015.
See the full Paul César Helleu record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Paul César Helleu on OpeningBid →