Pierre-Auguste Renoir Artwork Value
What's my Pierre-Auguste Renoir 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 Renoir.
At-a-glance: Pierre-Auguste Renoir
A founding figure of Impressionism, Renoir created over 6,000 paintings celebrated for their luminous color and joyful depictions of leisure and beauty — his market remains one of the strongest among 19th-century masters.
Bio
Name: Pierre-Auguste Renoir
Years Active: 1860–1919
Nationality: French
Style
Impressionism with soft brushwork, warm palette, and luminous figure scenes. Later work evolved toward a more classical, sculptural approach influenced by Renaissance masters.
What to look for
Cursive "Renoir" signature (often with year), Dauberville catalogue references, Delteil numbers for prints, Valsuani foundry marks on bronzes, period-appropriate materials.
What Renoir works do people actually own?
Most Renoir works in private hands aren't major Impressionist masterpieces. Like Monet and Van Gogh, Renoir's iconic paintings are largely in museums — but collectors do own prints, drawings, bronzes, and smaller oils. Understanding whether you have an original or reproduction is the first step in determining value.
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Posthumous reproductions — $100–$2,500
Heliogravures and photogravures made after Renoir's death in 1919, reproducing famous paintings. Often "signed in plate" (engraved signature, not hand-signed). Editions can number 1,000+ impressions. These are decorative items, not investment pieces.
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Original etchings and lithographs — $500–$50,000
Renoir created approximately 60 original prints (25 etchings, 35 lithographs) catalogued by Delteil. Many were commissioned by dealer Ambroise Vollard. Most sell for $500–$5,000; exceptional examples reach $30,000–$50,000. Posthumous Mourlot editions (up to 3,000 impressions, 1951) are worth less than lifetime prints.
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Bronze sculptures — $500–$95,000
Renoir collaborated with sculptor Richard Guino from 1913–1918 — French courts ruled these are co-authored works. Look for Valsuani Foundry marks and edition numbers. Venus Victorious (c. 1914), commissioned by Vollard, was cast in an edition of six. Most bronzes sell for $3,000–$35,000.
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Works on paper — $1,000–$720,000
The Dauberville catalogue documents 148 pastels, 382 drawings, and 105 watercolors. Media includes sanguine (red chalk), pencil, charcoal, and pastel. Prices vary enormously based on subject, size, and finish — studies for major paintings command significant premiums.
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Original oil paintings — $50,000–$78,100,000
Renoir created over 6,000 paintings. The auction record is $78.1 million for Bal du moulin de la Galette (1876) at Sotheby's in 1990. More recently, Berthe Morisot et sa fille (1894) sold for $24.5 million at Christie's in 2022. Smaller works and later paintings start around $50,000–$200,000.
Upload your piece for a specific estimate based on current market data and catalogue research.
How to verify Renoir authenticity
Authentication matters for Renoir — his fame has led to significant forgery issues, particularly with intimate portraits and figure studies. Before getting a valuation, gather these details:
- Catalogue raisonné for paintings: The Dauberville catalogue (2010–2014, five volumes) is the definitive reference, documenting 4,019 paintings, 148 pastels, 382 drawings, and 105 watercolors
- Catalogue raisonné for prints: Delteil's L'Oeuvre gravé et lithographié (1923, revised 1999) catalogues all 60 original prints — 25 etchings and 35 lithographs
- Signature verification: Renoir signed "Renoir" in cursive, often with the year and a period. Compare to documented examples from the same period
- For bronzes: Look for Valsuani Foundry marks, proper edition numbers, and documentation of the Renoir-Guino collaboration (1913–1918)
- Wildenstein Plattner Institute: The WPI issues Attestations of Inclusion for works accepted into their digital catalogue — note they do not authenticate or value works directly
Upload photos of the front, back, signature, and any documentation for a preliminary assessment.
Renoir artwork FAQs
Start by checking the Dauberville catalogue raisonné (2010–2014, five volumes covering 4,019 paintings) or Delteil for prints. The Wildenstein Plattner Institute issues Attestations of Inclusion for works accepted into their digital catalogue — note that they do not authenticate or value works directly. For general guidance on distinguishing originals from reproductions, see our original vs print artwork guide.
Original Renoir paintings are unique oil works — he created over 6,000 in his lifetime — selling from $50,000 to $78 million at auction. Original prints (etchings and lithographs) were made by Renoir working directly on plates, totaling about 60 images catalogued by Delteil. Posthumous reproductions (heliogravures, photogravures) are mechanical copies worth $100–$2,500. Understanding these differences is essential before getting a valuation.
Renoir collaborated with sculptor Richard Guino from 1913–1918 to create bronze sculptures — French courts ruled in 1969–1983 that they are co-authored works. Look for Valsuani Foundry marks and proper edition documentation. Venus Victorious (c. 1914), Renoir's first large-scale bronze commissioned by dealer Vollard, was cast in an edition of six. A free appraisal can help verify foundry marks and edition authenticity.
Major Impressionist-period oil paintings with figures and leisure scenes command the highest prices — Bal du moulin de la Galette (1876) holds the auction record at $78.1 million (Sotheby's, 1990). Among Impressionists, Renoir's market rivals Monet and exceeds most others. Works on paper range from $1,000 to $720,000; bronzes typically sell for $500–$95,000.
The right venue depends on value. Prints and minor works suit specialist dealers or regional auctions. Works valued $50,000–$500,000 belong at Sotheby's, Christie's, or Bonhams Impressionist sales. Above $500,000, consign to major evening sales at the top houses. For pieces valued over $1,000, we can help connect you with the right channel — see our selling guide for more details.
Renoir signed his surname only — "Renoir" — in cursive, sometimes adding the year and a period (e.g., "Renoir. 1881."). His signature remained relatively consistent throughout his career with slight variations in letter formation. On prints, expect both a signature within the image (ink) and in the lower margin (pencil). Compare to documented examples in the Dauberville catalogue — our artwork valuation guide explains what experts assess beyond the signature.
How to sell Renoir artwork
Ready to sell your artwork? Here's the process for Renoir pieces at any value level.
Get a valuation
Upload photos and we'll research your piece against the Dauberville or Delteil catalogues, assess condition and authenticity markers, and provide a realistic market value range within 24–48 hours.
Verify authenticity if needed
For significant works, consider submitting to the Wildenstein Plattner Institute for an Attestation of Inclusion. For bronzes, verify Valsuani foundry provenance. Scientific analysis (pigment testing, UV examination) can detect anachronistic materials in suspected forgeries.
Choose the right channel
Under $50K: Specialist dealers, vetted online platforms, or regional auctions.
$50K–$500K: Sotheby's, Christie's, or Bonhams Impressionist & Modern Art sales.
$500K+: Major evening sales at top auction houses; private sale through established dealers.
Prepare documentation
Gather provenance records, catalogue raisonné references, exhibition history, and any prior authentication letters. For prints, document edition state and condition. Complete documentation significantly affects buyer confidence and sale price for Impressionist works.
Ready to get a free Renoir 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.