Gully: Between Street Art and the Legacy of Classical Painting

A Mysterious Artist from the World of Graffiti

A French artist born in the late 1970s, Gully belongs to the generation that successfully brought graffiti from the streets into galleries without losing the essence of urban creativity.
Emerging from the anonymous world of street art, Gully began in the 1990s by tagging walls and trains across Paris. His pseudonym — chosen to preserve his anonymity — comes from the English word gully (meaning “gutter”), symbolizing the link between the street and art.

Around 2010, he moved away from illegal graffiti to focus on a more elaborate pictorial practice, nourished by references to art history, popular culture, and the contemporary world.
This transition marked the beginning of his recognition in the art world, where he stands out for his narrative, colorful, and intellectual style.

A Unique Artistic Language: Dialogues Between Masters and Icons

Gully’s paintings are characterized by a subtle blend of academic technique and urban energy.
He summons mythical figures from classical painting — Monet, Matisse, Magritte, Hopper, Picasso, Basquiat, among others — and integrates them into contemporary compositions.

This approach creates a dialogue between classical art and modernity, between high culture and popular culture.
Pop culture heroes, graffiti, and references to comic books or cinema coexist within the same pictorial space.
Each canvas becomes a mise en abyme, a reflection on transmission, memory, and the continuity of artistic creation.

His works are often executed in oil on canvas, in a highly controlled figurative style.
His vivid palette, attention to detail, and technical mastery evoke the great masters he references, while retaining the spontaneity and boldness of graffiti.

A Growing Success in the Contemporary Art Market

Since the 2010s, Gully has established himself as one of the most prominent French artists on the contemporary art scene.
His anonymity, maintained despite his success, fuels collectors’ curiosity and strengthens the mystique surrounding his work.

His exhibitions — notably at Taglialatella Gallery (Paris, New York, Miami) — have contributed to his international recognition.
He is also featured in major auction sales, where his works achieve steadily increasing results.

Collectors appreciate the conceptual dimension of his work, his technical mastery, and his visual humor.
His art, positioned between homage and reinterpretation, continues the tradition of contemporary artists who reinvent the codes of classical painting in the urban age.

Market Value and Appraisal of Gully’s Works

Gully’s market value has shown steady growth in the contemporary art world.
His paintings are prized for their pictorial quality and narrative strength, attracting both street art enthusiasts and modern art collectors.

Observed estimates:

• Oil paintings on canvas: €10,000 – €50,000, depending on size, subject, and provenance.

• Monumental works or key series (Crossing the Line, L’Atelier des Maîtres): €50,000 – €100,000.

• Drawings and preparatory studies: €2,000 – €8,000, depending on technique and size.

• Limited editions and screen prints: €1,000 – €3,000, depending on edition and signature.

The most sought-after pieces are those that reinterpret classical masterpieces or depict museum scenes, often achieving the highest auction prices.

Selling a Gully Work at Auction

Our specialists in the Contemporary & Street Art Department assist collectors and private owners in the valuation and sale of Gully’s works.
We offer free, confidential, and no-obligation estimates, available online or by appointment.

For an initial appraisal, please provide:

• Photographs of your artwork

• A detailed description (medium, dimensions, date, provenance)

• Any certificate of authenticity, invoice, or exhibition history

Our experts travel across France and Europe for on-site appraisals, in collaboration with our regional offices.

The Aguttes Contemporary Art Department organizes several annual sales dedicated to major French and international contemporary artists, including Gully, Invader, Banksy, Shepard Fairey, JonOne, Kaws, and many others.

Contact our specialist today to obtain a free valuation of your Gully artwork and benefit from personalized support through every step of the sale.