Henri Matisse Artwork Value
What's my Henri Matisse artwork worth?
Get a free valuation from photos. Learn how to identify originals vs prints, understand typical price ranges, and find the best way to sell your Henri Matisse.
At-a-glance: Henri Matisse
One of the most influential artists of the 20th century, Matisse created works across painting, sculpture, printmaking, and paper cut-outs — and his market spans from accessible prints to multi-million dollar masterpieces.
Bio
Name: Henri Émile Benoît Matisse
Years Active: 1890s–1954
Nationality: French
Style
Leader of Fauvism (1904–1908), evolving through bold color and simplified form. Key periods include Nice period interiors and odalisques (1917–1930), monumental works (1930s), and late paper cut-outs (1941–1954).
What to look for
Duthuit catalogue raisonné numbers for prints and sculpture, Mourlot blindstamps on lithographs, hand-signed pencil signatures (vs plate-signed), Lacourière printer marks on etchings and aquatints.
What Henri Matisse works do people actually own?
Most Matisse items in private hands aren't Fauvist masterpieces or original cut-outs — they're museum posters and decorative reproductions. Like Picasso and Chagall, Matisse produced extensive print editions alongside paintings, so the range of what collectors own is wide. Understanding whether you have an original or reproduction is the first step in determining value.
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Reproductions & posters — $5–$200
The most common "Matisse" items by far. Cut-out reproductions (The Snail, Blue Nude), exhibition posters, and mass-produced prints. These are photomechanical copies with no connection to the artist beyond the image. Original cut-outs are unique works held by museums and major collectors — worth millions, not hundreds.
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Unsigned lithographs & book illustrations — $200–$5,000
Book plates from illustrated editions (Poésies de Stéphane Mallarmé, Pasiphaé, Florilège des Amours de Ronsard), unsigned lithographic impressions, and late impressions from larger editions. Matisse illustrated approximately 50 books — individual plates from disbound copies are common on the market.
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Jazz pochoir plates (individual) — $5,000–$30,000
Individual plates from the original 1947 Jazz edition (270 copies, published by Tériade). Hand-stenciled by Edmond Vairel using gouache after Matisse's cut-out collages — they have distinctive texture and matte color density. Icarus and The Clown are the most sought-after images. Complete suites bring $150,000–$400,000+.
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Signed lithographs, etchings & aquatints — $3,000–$50,000
Hand-signed in pencil, typically from editions of 25–50. Look for Mourlot blindstamps on lithographs and Lacourière printer marks on etchings and aquatints. The Visages series of aquatint portraits (1940s–1950s, printed at Atelier Lacourière) is particularly sought after. Female figures and interiors from the 1920s–1930s are the most collected subjects.
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Bronzes (editions of 10) — $50,000–$500,000+
Matisse created 84 sculptures, all cast in bronze using the lost-wax method in editions of 10. Most are small-format female nudes (10–38 cm). Beware surmoulages — casts made from a cast rather than from the original mold — which are smaller and significantly less valuable than authentic edition casts.
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Oil paintings & drawings — $100,000–$80,000,000+
Nice period paintings (odalisques, interiors) and Fauvist works command the highest prices. The auction record is Odalisque couchée aux magnolias at $80.75 million (Christie's, 2018). Works on paper and drawings are more accessible but still significant, typically ranging from $100,000 to several million depending on subject and period.
Matisse's market rewards documentation and condition — even modest prints can sell well when properly authenticated. Upload your piece for a specific estimate based on current market data.
How to verify Henri Matisse authenticity
Authentication is critical for Matisse — his popularity and varied output create opportunities for misattribution and forgery. Before getting a valuation, gather these details:
- Catalogue raisonné: The Duthuit catalogues document prints (1983, by Marguerite Duthuit-Matisse and Claude Duthuit), illustrated books (1988), and sculpture (1997). No published paintings catalogue raisonné exists — provenance and expert opinion are especially important for paintings
- Signature characteristics: Matisse used at least 31 signature variations, signing "Henri Matisse" or "H. Matisse" on paintings and hand-signing prints in pencil. Plate-signed impressions (signature printed on the stone) are less valuable than hand-signed works
- Medium-specific markers: Look for Mourlot blindstamps on lithographs, Lacourière printer marks on etchings and aquatints, and proper edition numbering. For Jazz pochoirs, original 1947 plates have distinctive hand-stenciled gouache texture
- Provenance documentation: Gallery labels, exhibition history, and prior sale records strengthen authenticity. For major works, published scholarly references and inclusion in exhibition catalogues are expected
- Authentication body: The Archives Henri Matisse in Issy-les-Moulineaux (managed by the Matisse family) has historically handled authentication. The longtime expert Wanda de Guebriant passed away in 2019 — the current process should be confirmed through the Archives directly
Upload photos of the front, back, signature, stamps, and any documentation for a preliminary assessment.
Henri Matisse artwork FAQs
Start by identifying your work in the appropriate Duthuit catalogue raisonné — there are separate volumes for prints (1983), illustrated books (1988), and sculpture (1997). No published paintings catalogue raisonné exists, making provenance research especially critical for paintings. The Archives Henri Matisse in Issy-les-Moulineaux has historically handled authentication — for general guidance on originals vs reproductions, see our original vs print artwork guide.
Original Matisse prints (lithographs, etchings, aquatints, linocuts) were created by the artist working directly on stones, plates, or blocks, printed in limited editions, and often hand-signed in pencil. Posters and reproductions are photomechanical copies made in large quantities. A signed original lithograph might be worth $3,000–$50,000; a poster reproduction, under $200. Understanding this distinction is essential before getting a valuation.
Original Jazz pochoir plates (1947) were hand-stenciled by Edmond Vairel using gouache paint after Matisse's cut-out collages — they have distinctive texture and matte color density. The edition was 270 copies, published by Tériade. Reproductions are photomechanical prints that lack this handmade quality. A free appraisal can help determine whether your plate is from the original edition or a later reproduction.
Nice period paintings (1917–1930) — particularly odalisques and interiors — command the highest prices, with the auction record set by Odalisque couchée aux magnolias at $80.75 million (Christie's, 2018). Among modern masters, Matisse's print market is comparable to Picasso in depth, though top paintings are rarer. Bronzes from his editions of 10 and signed lithographs from the 1920s–1930s are also highly sought after.
The right venue depends on value. Unsigned prints and book illustrations under $5,000 suit specialist print dealers or online platforms. Signed prints and works valued $5,000–$100,000 sell through regional auction houses or specialist sales at major houses. Above $100,000, consign to Sotheby's, Christie's, or Phillips. For pieces valued over $1,000, we can help connect you with the right channel — see our selling guide for details.
Matisse used at least 31 distinct signature variations across his career, signing "Henri Matisse" or "H. Matisse" on paintings and hand-signing prints in pencil. On prints, distinguish between hand-signed pencil signatures (more valuable) and plate-signed impressions where the signature was printed on the stone. Compare your signature to documented examples from the same period using the Duthuit catalogue raisonné — our artwork valuation guide explains what experts assess beyond the signature.
How to sell Henri Matisse artwork
Ready to sell your artwork? Here's the process for Matisse pieces at any value level.
Get a valuation
Upload photos and we'll identify your piece in the appropriate Duthuit catalogue raisonné, assess condition and authenticity markers, and provide a realistic market value range within 24–48 hours.
Verify authenticity if needed
For works expected to sell above $50,000, consider authentication through the Archives Henri Matisse. For prints, confirm Duthuit catalogue inclusion, edition details, and printer provenance. For bronzes, verify edition number and casting history.
Choose the right channel
Under $5K: Specialist print dealers, vetted online platforms, or regional auctions.
$5K–$100K: Major auction house print sales, established galleries.
$100K+: Sotheby's, Christie's, or Phillips; private sale through major modern art dealers.
Prepare documentation
Gather provenance records, purchase receipts, exhibition history, and any Duthuit catalogue references. Collectors of Matisse often also seek work by Miró and other modern masters, so positioning your piece within this context strengthens buyer interest. Complete documentation accelerates sales and strengthens buyer confidence.
Ready to get a free Henri Matisse valuation?
Upload photos of your artwork — front, back, signature, and any stamps or labels — and receive a research-backed estimate with guidance on authenticity, pricing, and selling options.