At the Arcadia auction, a canvas by Soutine opened a window onto the Roman market and reignited interest in the École de Paris.
Masterpieces from the Collection: the École de Paris auction
The sale titled Masterpieces from the Collection: École de Paris took place in Rome on October 27, 2025. The session brought together paintings, works, and studies by artists central to the 20th-century Parisian scene. In this context, it was seen as a barometer for international demand for this movement. Massimo Tagliatesta, director of Arcadia, emphasized how “bringing works like these to auction means contributing concretely to the history of the market.”
The results at the Arcadia auction and main prices
What was Soutine’s price during the auction?
The canvas by Chaïm Soutine, La Femme du Cordonnier, achieved €677,200, becoming the highlight of the evening. This outcome attracted attention not only for the amount but also for the rarity of the painting. Consequently, it fueled debates on provenance and comparisons with recent transactions on the international market. (Source: Christie’s).
How much did Bonnard make?
Pierre Bonnard, with La Seine à Vernon, was sold for €384,400. Indeed, the result highlights the interest in intimate landscapes and the chromatic poetry that characterizes his work.
Renoir’s price
Among other lots, Pierre-Auguste Renoir (Jeune Femme au corsage rouge et au chapeau jaune) reached €162,700, while Édouard Vuillard (La Jupe noire) was sold for €110,200. Additionally, Kees van Dongen (Place Pigalle-Halle aux Vins) obtained €95,200, contributing to the overall picture of the results.
IMPACT ON THE MARKET
Overall, the sale totaled €2,167,820, with an increase of 270% compared to initial estimates. It should be noted that, following this outcome, some industry insiders described the possible first Soutine sale in Italy as symbolic. However, this data still needs verification in provenance sources (The Art Newspaper).
To understand the historical value of the works, it is useful to remember that the École de Paris is not a homogeneous group but rather a collection of international artists gathered in Paris. The movement promoted formal experimentation and cultural cross-pollination that influenced modernity. Moreover, auction dynamics today reflect a renewed interest in the 20th century, supported by exhibitions and research that realign prices with new critical standards.
From a practical standpoint, industry professionals and collectors evaluate provenance, condition, and comparable comparisons to estimate the lots. In addition, public previews and pre-auction exhibitions are often decisive in attracting bids both in the room and online.
CONTEXT AND PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS
As a direct observation, working on lots of this caliber requires thorough provenance checks. From experience, sales accompanying exhibitions or monographic studies attract greater institutional attention. Furthermore, it is noted that the market rewards works with documented history and presence in well-known collections.
In operational terms, commissions, buyer’s premium, and sales conditions affect the final price the winning bidder pays. Therefore, those approaching these auctions should consider the total cost and the transparency of the information provided by the auction house.
KEY DATA
- Date and location: October 27, 2025, Rome.
- Total sales: €2,167,820.
- Declared increase: 270%.
- Chaïm Soutine, La Femme du Cordonnier: €677,200.
- Pierre Bonnard, La Seine à Vernon: €384,400.
- Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Jeune Femme au corsage rouge et au chapeau jaune: €162,700.
- Édouard Vuillard, La Jupe noire: €110,200.
- Kees van Dongen, Place Pigalle-Halle aux Vins: €95,200.
Where to delve deeper into the results?
For an extended report, consult the complete auction report and the market analysis published on Econique. So, what reflections emerge for the future of the 20th-century market?
As expert in digital marketing, Amelia began working in the fintech sector in 2014 after writing her thesis on Bitcoin technology. Previously author for several international crypto-related magazines and CMO at Eidoo. She is now the co-founder and editor-in-chief of The Cryptonomist and Econique.
She is also a marketing teacher at Digital Coach in Milan and she published a book about NFTs for the Italian publishing house Mondadori, while she is also helping artists and company to entering in the sector. As advisor, Amelia is also involved in metaverse-related project such as The Nemesis and OVER.
