Ralph Chesse Paintings & Artwork for Sale | Ralph Chesse Art Value Price Guide

Jun. 05, 2026
Ralph Chesse, American/Louisiana 1900-1991, "Portrait of a Woman", oil and mixed media on panel
Est: $500 - $700
Ralph Chesse American/Louisiana, 1900-1991 "Portrait of a Woman" oil and mixed media on panel 1962, signed and dated lower right, framed.
Neal Auction Company
Sep. 18, 2025
Painting, Ralph Chesse
Est: $700 - $1,000
Ralph Chesse (American, 1900-1991), "Sewers," acrylic on canvas, unsigned, titled on stretcher bar verso, canvas: 30"h x 24"w, overall (with frame): 30.75"h x 34.5"w
Clars Auctions
Sep. 18, 2025
Painting, Ralph Chesse
Est: $700 - $1,000
Ralph Chesse (American, 1900-1991), "Souvenir d'Opede," 1964, acrylic on canvas, signed and dated lower right, titled verso, canvas: 20"h x 32"w, overall (with frame): 20.5"h x 32.75"w
Clars Auctions
Sep. 18, 2025
Painting, Ralph Chesse
Est: $700 - $1,000
Ralph Chesse (American, 1900-1991), Figure in Red, 1971, acrylic on canvas, signed and dated lower right, canvas (unframed): 44"h x 18"w
Clars Auctions
Jul. 18, 2025
Painting, Ralph Chesse
Est: $1,000 - $1,500
Ralph Chesse (American, 1900-1991), "Venetian Siesta," 1962, oil on canvas, signed and dated lower right, canvas: 30"h x 46"w, overall (with frame): 31"h x 47"w
Clars Auctions
Jun. 20, 2025
Painting, Ralph Chesse
Est: $1,200 - $1,800
Ralph Chesse (American, 1900-1991), Untitled (Abstract), 1962, oil on canvas affixed to board, signed and dated lower right, board: 38.5"h x 21"w, 39.5"h x 22"w
Clars Auctions
Jun. 20, 2025
Painting, Ralph Chesse
Est: $1,500 - $2,500
Ralph Chesse (American, 1900-1991), "Venetian Siesta," 1962, oil on canvas, signed and dated lower right, canvas: 30"h x 46"w, overall (with frame): 31"h x 47"w
Clars Auctions
Jun. 20, 2025
Painting, Ralph Chesse
Est: $1,200 - $1,800
Ralph Chesse (American, 1900-1991), "Arles," 1960, oil on canvas, signed and dated lower right, titled verso, canvas: 23"h x 27.5"w, overall (with frame): 26.5"h x 30.75"w
Clars Auctions
May. 15, 2025
Painting, Ralph Chesse
Est: $1,500 - $2,500
Ralph Chesse (American, 1900-1991), Untitled (Abstract), 1962, oil on canvas affixed to board, signed and dated lower right, board: 38.5"h x 21"w, 39.5"h x 22"w
Clars Auctions
May. 15, 2025
Painting, Ralph Chesse
Est: $1,500 - $2,500
Ralph Chesse (American, 1900-1991), "Arles," 1960, oil on canvas, signed and dated lower right, titled verso, canvas: 23"h x 27.5"w, overall (with frame): 26.5"h x 30.75"w
Clars Auctions
May. 15, 2025
Painting, Ralph Chesse
Est: $2,000 - $4,000
Ralph Chesse (American, 1900-1991), Venetian Siesta, 1962, oil on canvas, signed and dated lower right, canvas: 30"h x 46"w, overall (with frame): 31"h x 47"w
Clars Auctions
Jan. 25, 2024
RALPH A. CHESSÉ (1900-1991) Plantation Figures.
Est: $800 - $1,200
RALPH A. CHESSÉ (1900-1991) Plantation Figures. Gouache on paper, 1941. Signed, Chesse, and dated, 41, lower left. Inscribed as titled on verso. 158x178 mm; 6¼x7 inches. Ralph Chessé grew up in New Orleans, and moved to San Francisco in 1924. While he is recognized as a puppeteer and movie set designer, famous for marionettes such as those he created for the 1937 production of Eugene O'Neil's The Emperor Jones, Chessé also had an early career as a painter and printmaker during the WPA. In 1934, he was one of 26 artists chosen to paint the frescoes in San Francisco's Coit Tower as part of the Public Works of Art Project, the first New Deal program benefiting artists.
Swann Auction Galleries
Dec. 08, 2022
Ralph Lauren Cheese Knife Set - Nib
Est: -
All items are sold as-is. The absence of a condition report does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition or completely free of defects, imperfections, or wear and tear. The pickup address will be released on your invoice. Invoices are sent after the entire auction has ended. Be sure to bring boxes and packing material to pickup. If you purchase a large item, be sure to bring moving help. Shipping is NOT AVAILABLE. Items not picked up by the pickup deadline will be forfeited and you will still be charged. Items cannot be held after the pickup date. Items not picked up will be automatically charged to the card on file.
Aether Auctions
Dec. 05, 2022
Ralph Chesse (1900-1991) Red Fish Screenprint in colors on paper 9-1/4 x 11-3/4
Est: $500 - $700
Ralph Chesse (1900-1991) Red Fish Screenprint in colors on paper 9-1/4 x 11-3/4 inches (23.5 x 29.8 cm) (image) Ed. 20/30 Signed, numbered, and titled in pencil along lower edge Chesse was a San Francisco artist, although originally from New Orleans. African-American subjects often figure in his art – and Chesse's own racial background is complicated. He came from a mixed race family, which meant he was considered black in the Jim Crow south. In San Francisco, however, he identified as white when asked to state his race. I point this out because Chesse is now sometimes called an African-American artist (especially in relation to his African-American themed work), although his own sense of identity may be unclear. HID01801242017
Heritage Auctions
Dec. 18, 2021
Work on Paper, Ralph Alexander Chesse
Est: $400 - $600
Ralph Alexander Chesse (American, 1900-1991), "Chartres Street, New Orleans," 1972, ink and watercolor on paper, signed and dated lower right, titled lower left, sight: 5"h x 4.75"w, overall (with frame): 10.75"h x 8.75"w
Clars Auctions
Nov. 21, 2021
Work on Paper, Ralph Alexander Chesse
Est: $600 - $900
Ralph Alexander Chesse (American, 1900-1991), "Chartres Street, New Orleans," 1972, ink and watercolor on paper, signed and dated lower right, titled lower left, sight: 5"h x 4.75"w, overall (with frame): 10.75"h x 8.75"w
Clars Auctions
Oct. 17, 2021
Work on Paper, Ralph Alexander Chesse
Est: $800 - $1,200
Ralph Alexander Chesse (1900-1991), "Chartres Street, New Orleans," 1972, ink and watercolor on paper, signed and dated lower right, titled lower left, sight: 5"h x 4.75"w, overall (with frame): 10.75"h x 8.75"w
Clars Auctions
May. 22, 2021
Ralph Alexander Chesse, 1900-1991, Praline Woman
Est: $8,000 - $12,000
Ralph Alexander Chesse 1900-1991 Praline Woman 1941 oil on canvas 18 x 22 inches signed and dated Exhibited: "One Man Show" , San Francisco Museum of Art; March 1, 1944 (label verso)
Black Art Auction
Nov. 24, 2019
Ralph Chessé Praline Woman
Est: $10,000 - $15,000
Ralph Chessé (1900-1991) Praline Woman, 1941 oil on canvas signed and dated, titled 18 x 22 inches framed Exhibited: "One Man Show", San Francisco Museum of Art, March 1, 1944 (label verso)
Treadway Gallery
Mar. 10, 2019
RALPH CHESSE (AFRICAN AMERICAN, 1900-1991).
Est: $8,000 - $12,000
Oil on Canvas. "Lot's Wife and Family (Escape from Sodom and Gomorrah)". 1944. Signed and dated lower right. Signed and titled verso. Originally from estate of the artist. From a Larchmont, NY collection. Born in New Orleans, LA on Jan. 6, 1900. Chessé began painting at age 17 and remained a self-taught artist except for a few months spent at the AIC in 1918. He came to California in 1923 and, after a brief time in Hollywood, settled in San Francisco. In 1934 he was one of 26 artists chosen by the federal government under the Public Works of Art Project to paint the frescoes in Coit Tower. His work there is entitled, Playground. Motivated by color, he explored many styles of modern painting. In 1984 Chessé retired to Ashland, OR where he remained until his demise on March 17, 1991. As well as a painter, he was a well-known puppeteer.
Clarke Auction Gallery
Aug. 12, 2017
Painting, Ralph Alexander Chesse
Est: $700 - $1,000
Ralph Alexander Chesse (American, 1900-1991), Untitled (Nuns), oil on canvas, signed lower right, overall (unframed): 34"h x 44"w
Clars Auctions
Dec. 06, 2014
Ralph Chessé, (American, 1900-1991), Lethargy, 1941, color screenprint, 9.25" x 12.25"
Est: $300 - $500
Ralph Chessé (American, 1900-1991) Lethargy, 1941 color screenprint signed, titled and numbered in pencil in the margin 9.25" x 12.25"
Toomey & Co. Auctioneers
Jun. 14, 2014
Ralph Chesse silkscreen
Est: $200 - $400
Ralph Chesse- ''Lethargy''- silkscreen in colors, 1941, signed, titled and numbered 20/30, very good condition. 9 x 12 1/4''
Rachel Davis Fine Arts
Jun. 01, 2014
Ralph Chesse (American, 1900-1991) Canaan
Est: $7,000 - $9,000
Ralph Chesse (American, 1900-1991) "Canaan", c. 1943; oil/canvas, 22" x 26", signed and dated lower right.
Toomey & Co. Auctioneers
Jun. 01, 2014
Ralph Chesse (American, 1900-1991), Moses and the Idolaters
Est: $6,000 - $8,000
Ralph Chesse (American, 1900-1991), "Moses and the Idolaters", c. 1943; oil/canvas, 15.5" x 21.5", signed and dated. Exhibited: San Francisco Museum of Art, One Man Show, 1944.
Toomey & Co. Auctioneers
Mar. 17, 2013
Ralph Alexander Chesse, "Sleeping Gondolier," oil on canvas
Est: $4,000 - $6,000
Ralph Alexander Chesse (American, 1900-1991), "Sleeping Gondolier," 1961, oil on canvas, signed and dated lower right, KQED label verso showing work was contributed to KQED auction by the artist, canvas: 24"h x 34"w, overall: 24.75"h x 34.75"w
Clars Auctions
Apr. 26, 2012
RALPH ALEXANDER CHESSE, American (1900-1991), "Lot and His Family", oil on canvas, signed and dated 44, dated and inscribed "Lot's W..
Est: $7,000 - $10,000
RALPH ALEXANDER CHESSE American (1900-1991) "Lot and His Family" oil on canvas, signed and dated 44, dated and inscribed "Lot's Wife and Family Escape from Sodom and Gamora" 34 x 40 Provenance: Bruce Chesse, the artist's son.
Shannon's
Jun. 24, 2010
RALPH A. CHESSÉ (1900 - 1991) Backyard Jazz.
Est: $1,500 - $2,500
RALPH A. CHESSÉ (1900 - 1991) Backyard Jazz. Woodcut on imitation Japan paper, 1928. 241x200mm; 9 1/2x7 7/8 inches, full margins. Signed, titled and dated in pencil, lower margin. A very good, dark impression of this scarce print.
Swann Auction Galleries
Jun. 24, 2010
RALPH A. CHESSÉ (1900 - 1991) Untitled (Flapper).
Est: $1,200 - $1,800
RALPH A. CHESSÉ (1900 - 1991) Untitled (Flapper). Ink and ink wash on thin board, 1926. 362x286mm; 14 1/4x11 1/4 inches, full margins. Signed in ink, lower right. Ralph Chessé grew up in New Orleans, and moved to San Francisco in 1924. While he is recognized as a puppeteer and movie set designer, famous for marionettes such as those he created for the 1937 production of Eugene O'Neil's The Emperor Jones, Chessé also had an early career as a painter and printmaker during the WPA. In 1934, he was one of 26 artists chosen to paint the frescoes in San Francisco's Coit Tower as part of the Public Works of Art Project, the first New Deal program benefiting artists. His drawing of a 1920s flapper evokes the theatricality found in his later stage creations.
Swann Auction Galleries