"If there is a particularly dynamic art market today, then it is that of Orientalism," says the Paris auction house Artcurial after announcing total 2010 Orientalist art sales of €1,570,000.
The term "Orientalism", previously used to describe Oriental academic studies, became more widely used to refer to the works of French artists in the 19th century.
 Jose Cruz Herrera's (1890-1972) The Betrothed (detail) |
During that time, the country's painters became increasingly inspired by their travels to non-European countries like North Africa and Western Asia.
Among the record auction prices for such artworks at Artcurial was Jose Cruz Herrera's (1890-1972) The Betrothed (detail), pictured above.
The work sold for €471,400 - achieving a World Record price for the artist and also tripling the artwork's previous market value.
Other World Record auction sales were achieved by Alexandre Roubtzoff's (1884-1949) Bedouin Tunis, 1935 (pictured top right) sold for €434,300, and Léon Girardet's (1856-1895) Interior of a Moorish house, which realised €68,700.
 Léon Girardet's (1856-1895) Interior of a Moorish house |
In particular, the Roubtzoff work quadrupled is previously registered value.
Hoping to continue this success, Artcurial's next Orientalist art sale will be held on December 1 - and major pieces by Majorelle, Cruz Herrera, Dinet, and Fabius Brest Roubtzoff have already been consigned.
The December sale will be held at Hotel Marcel Dassault, in Paris.
- Learn how you can get pleasure and profit from Orientalist and other European art
- Click here for all the latest Art news
Join our readers in 181 countries around the world - sign up for your free weekly Collectibles Newsletter today
