Georges Braque Value: Top Prices Paid At Auction

Paysage à la Ciotat (1907) is a key work from Braque's early Fauvist period, showcasing vibrant colours and an expressive portrayal of the French landscape. Reflecting the emotional and instinctive approach of Fauvism, this painting highlights Braque's mastery of colour and composition. Its swirling greens, purples, and yellows evoke a dreamlike atmosphere while maintaining the distinct elements of the landscape. This work set an auction record for Braque, fetching £10.18 million at Sotheby's in May 2013.

Braque's brief yet impactful Fauvist period gave way to his pioneering work in Cubism, heavily influenced by his collaboration with Picasso. Le Guéridon (1911) is a quintessential Cubist piece from this period, blending Braque's personal artistic tools with abstract forms, symbolising his evolving artistic identity. The vibrant tubes of paint add a touch of mystery against the muted palette. This works prestigious provenance and unique details contributed to its significant sale of £7.8 million at Christie's in May 2017, highlighting its historical and artistic significance.

During the 1940s, marked by the turmoil of war, Braque gained widespread recognition as he transitioned from Cubism to a unique visual style. He combined interior spaces with still-life elements, creating compositions rich in texture and pattern. Mandoline à la partition (Le Banjo) (1941) exemplifies this period, depicting a banjo atop a red tablecloth against a backdrop of vivid patterns in purple and green. The work, infused with energy, resonated during challenging times and achieved just over £7 million at Christie's in May 2016, underscoring its lasting appeal and cultural significance.

La bouteille de Bass (1911-12) exemplifies Braque's mastery of Cubist aesthetics, featuring a muted colour palette and fragmented depictions that blend a guitar and figure into abstract imagery. This seminal work, with a distinguished provenance and exhibition history, was part of The Triton Collection Foundation and presented at Phillips' November auctions in 2023. Achieving £6.7 million amid challenging economic conditions, this sale highlights the persistent demand for Modern art masterpieces. It solidified the work's status as one of the top pieces in the auction and marked Braque's first entry into this high-selling category since 2017.

La Treille (1953-54), created during the later phase of Braque's career, bridges his Terrasse and Atelier series, reflecting his mature artistic style influenced by the Post-War period. The painting retains Cubist elements with a flattened, two-dimensional visual plane but features more recognisable objects. A flower vase stands out in the interior space, hovering above a fragmented table. The work's intricate details and skillful use of colour contribute to its significance, achieving a remarkable £6.6 million at Christie's in May 2010, highlighting its importance among Braque's top-selling works.

Created in 1911, this composition reflects Braque's early engagement with Cubism and his exploration of self-portraiture. The artwork features geometric fragments on a flattened plane, offering multiple perspectives. Amid these abstract shapes, subtle facial features emerge, while the primary focus remains on the artist's tools, including a rolled towel, brushes, and a paint tube, rendered in muted tones. Femme lisant marks a significant milestone in Braque's career and achieved a notable hammer price of £6 million in May 1986, highlighting its importance and demand among collectors.

La Pianiste (1937) by Braque is a rare exploration of female sitters in his work, set within a two-dimensional Cubist framework. The composition features a woman playing the piano, blending Cubist aesthetics with fragmented representation and a vibrant, patterned backdrop. The painting also subtly incorporates a face within the verdant patterns on the right side, adding intrigue. This unique fusion of Modern art elements, along with the rarity of female figures in Braque's oeuvre, contributed to its significant sale at Sotheby's in May 2017 for £5.4 million.

Completed in 1939, Le modèle was created just before World War II, marking a significant point in Braque's career. This work blends Cubist influences with Fauvist colours, reflecting a unique phase in the 1940s. Set in the artist's studio, the painting features a figure holding a paper drawing, mirroring the role of the artist. This duality of perspective, combined with modernist techniques, exemplifies Braque's avant-garde vision. Le modèle achieved a notable sale price of £5.4 million at Christie's in May 2014, and remains among Braque's top-selling pieces.

Le Violon (1914) marks a pivotal shift in Braque's artistic journey, embracing a collage format that departs from his earlier works of the 1910s. This piece reflects Braque's exploration of stripping away easily recognisable elements to focus on the materials and tools of the art itself, giving the work a sense of autonomy. Musical instruments, a recurring motif in his oeuvre, feature prominently here. Le Violon achieved a significant price of £5.3 million at Sotheby's in November 2014, underscoring its lasting appeal and impact.

L'Estaque (circa 1906) represents Braque's early exploration into Fauvism, showcasing his evolving creativity. Inspired by his visit to the South of France, the painting captures the vibrant scenery of the bay at L'Estaque, a small fishing village near Marseille. Braque's use of a dynamic, swirling palette reflects the youthful energy and experimental spirit of this period in his career. This work achieved a notable price of £5.3 million at Christie's in June 2018.