Skip to content
Swiss Art GalleryArt gallery & salesSt-Prex · Switzerland
Gallery & collection
← International artists

SwissArtGallery · Documented identity

Maurice Denis

Born : 1870Died : 1943Documented citizenships : France

In 1888, he studied at the École des beaux-arts and the Académie Julian, but soon left the former. In an article-manifesto published in August 1890, he set out the artistic ideas of the Nabis and defended an illustration that does not translate the text literally: it may emphasise it, reveal it, soften it or restate it through a parallel approach.

The creation of decorative schemes occupies an important place in his work: in 1897, he completed La Légende de saint Hubert, composed of seven panels. From 1907, he worked for the Russian patron Ivan Morozov on L’Histoire de Psyché, a large wall panel intended for the music room of his palace in Moscow. In Paris, he decorated the dome of the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées; in 1929–1930, he also created the decoration for the chapel of the Franciscan Sisters of Rouen.

The Bibliothèque nationale de France dates his first solo exhibition, at Bernheim Jeune, to 1907. From 1908 to 1921, Denis taught at the Académie Ranson. In 1919, he founded the Ateliers d’art sacré with George Desvallières. His work was the subject of retrospectives at the Exposition internationale de Venise in 1922, and then at the Pavillon de Marsan in Paris in 1924.

This profile brings together identity references for Maurice Denis and paintings, drawings and works on paper documented in auction catalogues.

Documented auction references

34auction references
6auction houses
24documented results with prices

Artcurial Beurret Bailly Widmer · Koller · Kornfeld · Genève Enchères · Dobiaschofsky · Piguet

References include catalogue entries and available results; they do not all represent completed sales. Attributed works and special lots are excluded from the priced results.

Works recorded at auction

Maurice Denis — La communiante
Photograph : Genève Enchères · Enlarge image ↗
Genève Enchères · Lot 3228

La communiante

crayon, estompe, rehauts de craie blanche et sanguine sur papier

Catalogue period : 2025-12-08

Catalogue reference — sale not confirmed

Estimate : CHF 800–1200

View the lot at the auction house ↗
Maurice Denis — Noële et sa bonne (Bernadette et la bonne), um 1896
Photograph : Artcurial Beurret Bailly Widmer · Enlarge image ↗
Artcurial Beurret Bailly Widmer · Lot 2

Noële et sa bonne (Bernadette et la bonne), um 1896

Öl auf Papier auf Leinwand aufgezogen

Catalogue period : 2023-06-21

Published result : 9277 CHF

Including buyer’s premium

Estimate : CHF 6000–8000

View the lot at the auction house ↗
Maurice Denis — Visitation, 1896
Photograph : Artcurial Beurret Bailly Widmer · Enlarge image ↗
Artcurial Beurret Bailly Widmer · Lot 3

Visitation, 1896

Oil on artist’s board

Original catalogue wording

Visitation, 1896
Öl auf Malkarton

Catalogue period : 2023-06-21

Published result : 32160 CHF

Including buyer’s premium

Estimate : CHF 4000–6000

View the lot at the auction house ↗
Maurice Denis — Fiat Pax in Virtute tua, Skizze 2, um 1938
Photograph : Artcurial Beurret Bailly Widmer · Enlarge image ↗
Artcurial Beurret Bailly Widmer · Lot 4

Fiat Pax in Virtute tua, Skizze 2, um 1938

Oil on canvas

Original catalogue wording

Fiat Pax in Virtute tua, Skizze 2, um 1938
huile sur toile

Catalogue period : 2023-06-21

Published result : 24739 CHF

Including buyer’s premium

Estimate : CHF 20000–30000

View the lot at the auction house ↗
Maurice Denis — Paysage aux cyprès (Paysage d'Italie)
Photograph : Artcurial Beurret Bailly Widmer · Enlarge image ↗
Artcurial Beurret Bailly Widmer · Lot 8

Paysage aux cyprès (Paysage d'Italie)

Oil on canvas on cardboard

Original catalogue wording

Paysage aux cyprès (Paysage d'Italie)
Öl auf Leinwand auf Karton

Catalogue period : 2023-06-21

Published result : 9277 CHF

Including buyer’s premium

Estimate : CHF 5000–7000

View the lot at the auction house ↗
Maurice Denis — Trois femmes, Christ au lin, mer et rocher
Photograph : Artcurial Beurret Bailly Widmer · Enlarge image ↗
Artcurial Beurret Bailly Widmer · Lot 108

Trois femmes, Christ au lin, mer et rocher

Öl auf Leinwand auf Hartfaserplatte

Catalogue period : 2023-06-21

Published result : 4700 CHF

Including buyer’s premium

Estimate : CHF 3000–4000

View the lot at the auction house ↗
Maurice Denis — Motherhood
Photograph : Artcurial Beurret Bailly Widmer · Enlarge image ↗
Artcurial Beurret Bailly Widmer · Lot 109

Motherhood

Oil on artist’s board

Original catalogue wording

Maternité
Öl auf Malkarton

Catalogue period : 2023-06-21

Published result : 3711 CHF

Including buyer’s premium

Estimate : CHF 3000–4000

View the lot at the auction house ↗
Maurice Denis — Portrait d'Anne-Marie et de Christophe, 1933
Photograph : Artcurial Beurret Bailly Widmer · Enlarge image ↗
Artcurial Beurret Bailly Widmer · Lot 110

Portrait d'Anne-Marie et de Christophe, 1933

Oil on artist’s board

Original catalogue wording

Portrait d'Anne-Marie et de Christophe, 1933
Öl auf Malkarton

Catalogue period : 2023-06-21

Published result : 21028 CHF

Including buyer’s premium

Estimate : CHF 10000–15000

View the lot at the auction house ↗
Maurice Denis — Portrait de la femme de l'artiste
Photograph : Genève Enchères · Enlarge image ↗
Genève Enchères · Lot 39

Portrait de la femme de l'artiste

Grease pencil on paper

Original catalogue wording

Portrait de la femme de l'artiste
crayon gras sur papier

Catalogue period : 2021-04-27

Published result : 1300 CHF

Fees not specified in the available data

Estimate : CHF 600–800

View the lot at the auction house ↗
Maurice Denis — Paysage de bord de fleuve,
Photograph : Piguet · Enlarge image ↗
Piguet

Paysage de bord de fleuve,

crayon, signé

Catalogue period : 2021-03-02 — 2021-03-17

Catalogue reference — sale not confirmed

Estimate : CHF 800–1200

View the lot at the auction house ↗
Kornfeld · Lot 44

L'Attente de l'enfant

Oil on canvas

Original catalogue wording

L'Attente de l'enfant
oil on canvas

Catalogue period : 2020-09-18

Published result : 58000 CHF

Hammer price, excluding fees

Estimate : CHF 60000

View the lot at the auction house ↗
Maurice Denis — Bridge in the Ax-les-Thermes area, circa 1913
Photograph : Artcurial Beurret Bailly Widmer · Enlarge image ↗
Artcurial Beurret Bailly Widmer · Lot 13

Bridge in the Ax-les-Thermes area, circa 1913

Oil on canvas

Original catalogue wording

Pont dans la région d'Ax-les-Thermes, um 1913
huile sur toile

Catalogue period : 2019-06-19

Published result : 6077 CHF

Including buyer’s premium

Estimate : CHF 4000–6000

View the lot at the auction house ↗
Maurice Denis — Allégorie de l'Ile-de-France, Skizze 1, um 1926
Photograph : Artcurial Beurret Bailly Widmer · Enlarge image ↗
Artcurial Beurret Bailly Widmer · Lot 11

Allégorie de l'Ile-de-France, Skizze 1, um 1926

Oil on canvas

Original catalogue wording

Allégorie de l'Ile-de-France, Skizze 1, um 1926
huile sur toile

Catalogue period : 2019-06-19

Published result : 12154 CHF

Including buyer’s premium

Estimate : CHF 10000–15000

View the lot at the auction house ↗
Maurice Denis — Rose blanche dans un vase en forme de Vierge
Photograph : Artcurial Beurret Bailly Widmer · Enlarge image ↗
Artcurial Beurret Bailly Widmer · Lot 15

Rose blanche dans un vase en forme de Vierge

Oil on canvas

Original catalogue wording

Rose blanche dans un vase en forme de Vierge
huile sur toile

Catalogue period : 2019-06-19

Published result : 12154 CHF

Including buyer’s premium

Estimate : CHF 10000–15000

View the lot at the auction house ↗
Maurice Denis — Deux pommes sur une nappe brodée, um 1910
Photograph : Artcurial Beurret Bailly Widmer · Enlarge image ↗
Artcurial Beurret Bailly Widmer · Lot 17

Deux pommes sur une nappe brodée, um 1910

Oil on painting board

Original catalogue wording

Deux pommes sur une nappe brodée, um 1910
Öl auf Malplatte

Catalogue period : 2019-06-19

Published result : 18231 CHF

Including buyer’s premium

Estimate : CHF 15000–20000

View the lot at the auction house ↗
Maurice Denis — Les deux mères, 1900
Photograph : Artcurial Beurret Bailly Widmer · Enlarge image ↗
Artcurial Beurret Bailly Widmer · Lot 18

Les deux mères, 1900

Oil on canvas

Original catalogue wording

Les deux mères, 1900
huile sur toile

Catalogue period : 2019-06-19

Published result : 18231 CHF

Including buyer’s premium

Estimate : CHF 15000–20000

View the lot at the auction house ↗
Maurice Denis — Maternité aux coussins, 1927
Photograph : Artcurial Beurret Bailly Widmer · Enlarge image ↗
Artcurial Beurret Bailly Widmer · Lot 19

Maternité aux coussins, 1927

Oil on painting board

Original catalogue wording

Maternité aux coussins, 1927
Öl auf Malplatte

Catalogue period : 2019-06-19

Published result : 18231 CHF

Including buyer’s premium

Estimate : CHF 15000–25000

View the lot at the auction house ↗
Kornfeld · Lot 313

Baigneuses dans le bassin du Linkin

Öl auf Karton, auf parkettierter Holztafel

Catalogue period : 2018-06-14

Published result : 28000 CHF

Hammer price, excluding fees

Estimate : CHF 10000

View the lot at the auction house ↗
Maurice Denis — Landscape
Photograph : Dobiaschofsky · Enlarge image ↗
Dobiaschofsky · Lot 1378

Landscape

Pencil

Original catalogue wording

"Paysage".
Bleistift

Catalogue period : 2018-05-03

Published result : 170 CHF

Fees not specified in the available data

Estimate : CHF 300

View the lot at the auction house ↗
Maurice Denis — Two sketchbooks: Ct. 136 and Ct. 5. 1888/89.
Photograph : Koller · Enlarge image ↗
Koller

Two sketchbooks: Ct. 136 and Ct. 5. 1888/89.

Pencil, watercolor and ink on paper

Date to be documented

Catalogue reference — sale not confirmed

View the lot at the auction house ↗
Maurice Denis — Two sketchbooks: Ct. 21 and Ct. 32. 1907–10.
Photograph : Koller · Enlarge image ↗
Koller

Two sketchbooks: Ct. 21 and Ct. 32. 1907–10.

Pencil, colored pencil, watercolor and ink on paper

Date to be documented

Catalogue reference — sale not confirmed

View the lot at the auction house ↗
Maurice Denis — Two sketchbooks: Ct. 49 and Ct. 52. 1914–16.
Photograph : Koller · Enlarge image ↗
Koller

Two sketchbooks: Ct. 49 and Ct. 52. 1914–16.

Pencil, watercolor and ink on paper

Date to be documented

Catalogue reference — sale not confirmed

View the lot at the auction house ↗
Maurice Denis — Two sketchbooks: Ct. 55 and Ct. 56. 1917.
Photograph : Koller · Enlarge image ↗
Koller

Two sketchbooks: Ct. 55 and Ct. 56. 1917.

Pencil, watercolor and ink on paper

Date to be documented

Catalogue reference — sale not confirmed

View the lot at the auction house ↗
Maurice Denis — Three sketchbooks: Ct. 62, Ct. 65 and Ct. 76. 1920–23.
Photograph : Koller · Enlarge image ↗
Koller

Three sketchbooks: Ct. 62, Ct. 65 and Ct. 76. 1920–23.

Pencil, colored pencil, watercolor and ink on paper

Date to be documented

Catalogue reference — sale not confirmed

View the lot at the auction house ↗
Maurice Denis — Three sketchbooks: Ct. 101, Ct. 104 and Ct. 105. 1933.
Photograph : Koller · Enlarge image ↗
Koller

Three sketchbooks: Ct. 101, Ct. 104 and Ct. 105. 1933.

Pencil, watercolor and ink on paper

Date to be documented

Catalogue reference — sale not confirmed

View the lot at the auction house ↗
Maurice Denis — Reflet de soleil couchant dans la mare
Photograph : Genève Enchères · Enlarge image ↗
Genève Enchères · Lot 851

Reflet de soleil couchant dans la mare

Oil on cardboard

Original catalogue wording

Reflet de soleil couchant dans la mare
huile sur carton

Date to be documented

Published result : 5000 CHF

Fees not specified in the available data

Estimate : CHF 5000–8000

View the lot at the auction house ↗
Maurice Denis — Marins et Barque à Toulon
Photograph : Piguet · Enlarge image ↗
Piguet

Marins et Barque à Toulon

Watercolour

Original catalogue wording

Marins et Barque à Toulon
aquarelle

Catalogue period : 2012-06-13

Published result : 3500 CHF

Fees not specified in the available data

Estimate : CHF 1200–1800

View the lot at the auction house ↗
Maurice Denis — "L′écheveau de laine verte".
Photograph : Dobiaschofsky · Enlarge image ↗
Dobiaschofsky · Lot 507

"L′écheveau de laine verte".

Oil on canvas

Original catalogue wording

"L′écheveau de laine verte".
Öl auf Lwd

Date to be documented

Published result : 10000 CHF

Fees not specified in the available data

Estimate : CHF 12000

View the lot at the auction house ↗
Dobiaschofsky · Lot 1485

Landscape

Pencil drawing

Original catalogue wording

"Paysage".
Bleistift-Zeichnung

Date to be documented

Published result : 330 CHF

Fees not specified in the available data

Estimate : CHF 200

View the lot at the auction house ↗
Dobiaschofsky · Lot 451

"Jeu de raquettes".

Oil on painting board

Original catalogue wording

"Jeu de raquettes".
Öl auf Mkt

Date to be documented

Published result : 8500 CHF

Fees not specified in the available data

Estimate : CHF 7500

View the lot at the auction house ↗
Maurice Denis — Jeune femme nue debout
Photograph : Piguet · Enlarge image ↗
Piguet

Jeune femme nue debout

crayon de graphite rehaussé de craie blanche sur papier

Catalogue period : 2014-12-10

Published result : 1900 CHF

Fees not specified in the available data

Estimate : CHF 1200–1800

View the lot at the auction house ↗
Maurice Denis — Paysannes à Monte Cassino
Photograph : Piguet · Enlarge image ↗
Piguet

Paysannes à Monte Cassino

Oil on panel

Original catalogue wording

Paysannes à Monte Cassino
huile sur panneau

Catalogue period : 2021-09-22

Published result : 16000 CHF

Fees not specified in the available data

Estimate : CHF 3000–5000

View the lot at the auction house ↗

References excluded from statistics: attributions and special lots

These references are shown separately because of their attribution or lot composition. Each record states the reason.

Maurice Denis — Sketchbook: Ct. 36. 1910/11.
Photograph : Koller · Enlarge image ↗
Koller

Sketchbook: Ct. 36. 1910/11.

Pencil on paper

Original catalogue wording

Sketchbook: Ct. 36. 1910/11.
Pencil on paper
Attribution ou qualification signalée dans le catalogue

Date to be documented

Attribution recorded in catalogue

Published result : 3500 CHF

Fees not specified in the available data

Estimate : CHF 3000–4000

View the lot at the auction house ↗
Dobiaschofsky · Lot 462

Attribué à MAURICE DENIS — Hafenpartie mit Segelboot in südlicher Stadt.

Oil on canvas

Original catalogue wording

Attribué à MAURICE DENIS — Hafenpartie mit Segelboot in südlicher Stadt.
Öl auf Lwd.
zugeschrieben

Date to be documented

Attributed

Published result : 6200 CHF

Fees not specified in the available data

Estimate : CHF 5000

View the lot at the auction house ↗

Sources and references

SwissArtGallery documentary note based on the cited sources. Titles, media and qualifications are provided in the profile language; the original catalogue wording remains available in each record.
Profile updated :

Do you own a work by this artist?

Contact SwissArtGallery

Continue exploring

Documented profiles →

Recently enriched profiles

Georges Laporte

Painter, lithographer and illustrator, Georges-Charles Laporte developed a body of work in which seascape painting sits alongside a substantial body of illustration, notably for text…

67 auction references

André Hambourg

The French painter, illustrator and lithographer André Hambourg brought together painting, printmaking and the printed image throughout his career. Born and died in Paris, he first s…

5 auction references

Juan Genovés

The Spanish painter and graphic artist Juan Genovés Candel—also known in Catalan as Joan Genovés i Candel—developed a body of work shaped by the repressive context of the Franco dict…

2 auction references

See recently enriched profiles →