Cesare Auguste Detti (Italian, 1847-1914)

Paintings

Who is painter Cesare Auguste Detti?

Cesare Auguste Detti was a 19th and early 20th-century painter whose troubadour style historical genre scenes were known for their bold color and superior technique. He was popular in both America and Europe, fetching high prices during his lifetime. This was in large part due to his association with Adolphe Goupil, one of the leading art dealers in Paris in the 19th century. Detti was friends with several notable artists from the time, including Francesco Coghetti, who introduced Detti to the works of the Macchiaioli, a group of Tuscan painters who became one of Detti’s biggest influences.

Detti’s work was respected for his technique, but became popular because of his subject matter. He painted scenes set in an earlier time because, as he put it, “The public are attracted to costume subjects in the same way that they fall in love with the fancy dress of a masked ball.” Detti first presented his work at exhibitions in Rome and Naples in 1877, but he would become best known for his work at the Salon in 1877. This brought him widespread fame and made him an influential figure in the Parisian social scene. He moved full-time to Paris in 1879 and was awarded medals at the 1889 and 1900 Universal Exhibitions. He was well known and well-liked by his peers, and his art was sought by many members of the Parisian social set.

What kind of art does Cesare Auguste Detti make?

Cesare Auguste Detti was an oil painter whose work often featured elegant party scenes and historical moments, bygone ages when dress and class were seen as luxurious signifiers of wealth. His pieces were often purchased by the same set of people, socialites and members of the Parisian glitterati. His work attracted many admirers, and his technique was revered -- enough so that he became VP of the Italian Committee during the 1900 Paris Exhibition. It was at this same exhibition that he would win a silver medal. Detti’s output towards the end of his life was limited, mainly because of travel and then the outbreak of World War I.

How did painter Cesare Auguste Detti get started?

Cesare Auguste Detti was born in Spoleto, Italy in 1848. His father was an engineer and amateur painter who encouraged the young man to pursue art. Around his 13th birthday, Detti met Francesco Coghetti, the famed mural painter. Coghetti recruited Detti to receive more formal training from the Accademia di San Luca, where the painter taught. Detti studied there under Maria Fortuny, who introduced him to the works of the Macchiaoli school of artists. After school, Detti traveled the world, eventually ending up in Naples where he exhibited his first work in 1872. He visited Paris in 1876, where he met the art dealer Adolphe Goupil. That partnership proved fruitful for both and it was soon after that Detti would make his mark on the Parisian art scene.

How much are Cesare Auguste Detti paintings worth?

Cesare Auguste Detti paintings are worth anywhere from $5,000 for a minor piece to $300,000 for major work. The most ever paid for a Cesare Auguste Detti painting at auction is $300,000 for the piece La Fete (date not given) which sold on April 18th, 2007. Heritage Auction also has a history with Detti’s work, including the piece Henri III re’u par le doge Muccinigo au Palais Foscari (1882) which sold on June 7th, 2019. It is a great example of Detti’s work, painted during a time when his career was “in full flourish” and dealing with the costume spectacle of an historic Renaissance event in Venice.

Where to buy Cesare Auguste Detti paintings for sale?

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How to value Cesare Auguste Detti paintings?

The best way to value art is to compare past auction prices for similar works. View past sale prices below. When you’re ready to sell, contact Heritage Auctions to request an auction estimate of the likely selling price at auction. If you need a formal written appraisal for estate planning or insurance, please contact our Appraisal Services department.