William Acheff (American, b. 1947) Old Zuni, 1984 Oil on canvas 38 x 28 inches (96.5 x 71.1 cm) Signed and dated low...
Auction amount: $20,000.00
Sold: Jul 1, 2020
William Acheff (American)
Paintings
Biography:
How much are original William Acheff paintings worth?
William Acheff (b. 1947) is a renowned American realist painter celebrated for his detailed still lifes that often feature Native American artifacts, Southwestern memorabilia, and historical elements. His trompe l’oeil works, known for their lifelike precision, are highly valued in the art market. Acheff’s paintings generally range from $40,000 to $78,000 at auction, with standout pieces like This Song’s For You reaching record prices of $145,600 at the Coeur d’Alene Art Auction. His dedication to technical mastery and cultural themes continues to captivate collectors and sustain strong market demand.
Who is William Acheff?
William Acheff is an American artist known for his hyper-realistic still lifes, often centered on Native American themes and Southwestern artifacts. Born in Anchorage, Alaska, in 1947, Acheff’s heritage and upbringing inspired his deep connection to cultural and historical subjects. Although he showed early interest in art, he did not pursue it seriously until his 20s, when he apprenticed under Italian painter Roberto Lupetti. This classical training, combined with his move to Taos, New Mexico in 1973, influenced Acheff’s unique approach to realism, blending European techniques with themes rooted in the American Southwest.
How did William Acheff get started?
Acheff’s journey into art began with a classical apprenticeship under Italian painter Roberto Lupetti, who taught him the European traditions of painting and technical precision. This experience provided Acheff with a strong foundation in realism, which he later applied to his own subject matter. After relocating to Taos, New Mexico, Acheff became captivated by the Native American culture of the Pueblo Indians, which deeply inspired his work. His signature trompe l’oeil style emerged as he developed his unique focus on cultural artifacts, creating compositions that blend history with visual storytelling.
What is William Acheff famous for?
William Acheff is most famous for his highly realistic still life paintings that use the trompe l’oeil technique to create lifelike depictions of Native American artifacts, historical photographs, and Southwestern items. His works are distinguished by meticulous detail and symbolic depth, often incorporating objects that evoke the American West and Native American heritage. Acheff’s unique ability to blend technical precision with cultural storytelling has made him a leading figure in contemporary American realism, with his works held in high regard by both collectors and critics.
Buy William Acheff paintings for sale
Explore William Acheff’s paintings for sale below. Heritage Auctions provides opportunities for collectors to view and bid on Acheff’s works through online and live auctions. Registered collectors can also save a want list to receive notifications for upcoming auctions featuring Acheff’s works.
How to value William Acheff’s paintings
The best way to assess the value of William Acheff’s artworks is by reviewing recent auction results for similar pieces, especially considering the precision and cultural themes in his trompe l’oeil style. Heritage Auctions provides transparent final sale prices to guide valuation. For those interested in selling or obtaining a formal appraisal, Heritage’s specialists offer expert appraisals suitable for estate planning, insurance, or sale preparation.
Heritage Auctions, the world's third largest auction house, brings decades of experience and connoisseurship to the fine art world. From Old Masters to contemporary works, our specialists help collectors understand and appreciate art and as the best place to sell fine art, we help sellers achieve the highest prices in the market.

