> Source: https://www.openingbid.art/artist/paul-cesar-helleu · updated 2026-11-03

# Paul César Helleu (1859–1927)

## What is Paul César Helleu’s work worth? {#value}

As of 3 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 348 auction results for Paul César Helleu at 34 houses since 1998. Over the last 24 months the median price was $2,674 including buyer’s premium (middle half $1,353–$5,710, n=28). The auction record is $221,000 for Madame Helleu à son bureau (2015, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | 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 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 11 | $44,678 |
| Works on paper | 60 | $8,312 |
| Other | 57 | $6,392 |
| Prints | 162 | $2,131 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 152 | $5,177 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 119 | $2,102 |

Data as of 3 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 348 results from 34 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Paul César Helleu is a French artist with 476 auction lots recorded since 1998, median price $2,824. 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 $4,604, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

**5 Paul César Helleu works are coming to auction** (as of 2026-11-03).

- [Paul César Helleu on OpeningBid](https://www.openingbid.art/artist/paul-cesar-helleu?ref=kg:paul-cesar-helleu) — follow free in the OpeningBid app for sale alerts.

## What is a Paul César Helleu work worth?

Across 340 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Paul César Helleu work is $2,824.

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. The full sale history is in the OpeningBid app (free sign-up).

## Frequently asked questions

### What is a Paul César Helleu worth?

Across 340 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Paul César Helleu work is $2,824. 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.

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Data last updated 2026-11-03. OpeningBid tracks 15,596,131 auction lots from 579 auction houses, refreshed nightly.

Cite this page as: OpeningBid, “Paul César Helleu auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/paul-cesar-helleu (updated 2026-11-03).

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.