Emil Bisttram (1895–1976)
What is Emil Bisttram’s work worth?
As of 3 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 79 auction results for Emil Bisttram at 20 houses since 2001. Over the last 24 months the median price was $5,000 including buyer’s premium (middle half $1,079–$8,255, n=13). The auction record is $68,500 for Storm Over Taos (Stormy Mountain Scene) (2008, Sotheby's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Storm Over Taos (Stormy Mountain Scene) | — | $68,500 | Sotheby's | Dec 2008 |
| 2 | Sound Dynamics, 1963 | Oil paint | $30,240 | Sotheby's | Mar 2021 |
| 3 | Doorway to the Ethereal Worlds, 1959 | Oil on canvas | $25,620 | Santa Fe Art Auction | Jun 2022 |
| 4 | Sunset Watch, 1973 | Painting | $25,200 | Toomey & Co. | Jul 2023 |
| 5 | Space Angel | Acrylic on canvas | $20,000 | Sotheby's | Mar 2008 |
| 6 | Hopi Snake Dancer, 1933 | Gouache on paper | $19,200 | Santa Fe Art Auction | Nov 2021 |
| 7 | Communion, 1929 | Painting | $19,050 | Rago Arts | Nov 2025 |
| 8 | Heavens Boundless Space | Oil on board | $16,940 | Coeur d'Alene Art Auction | Jul 2022 |
| 9 | Indian Summer, 1963 | Oil on linen | $12,000 | Santa Fe Art Auction | Nov 2021 |
| 10 | The Storm, 1950 | Painting | $11,875 | Wright | Sep 2010 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 25 | $5,400 |
| Other | 8 | $3,955 |
| Works on paper | 22 | $2,563 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 16 | $8,288 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 38 | $2,438 |
Data as of 3 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 79 results from 20 houses · How we compute these figures
Emil Bisttram is an American artist with 85 auction lots recorded since 2001, median price $3,400. Some sold prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium; they are marked on this page.
A work by Emil Bisttram sold in 2026 for a hammer price of $3,500 (buyer's premium not included), according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
See the full Emil Bisttram record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Emil Bisttram on OpeningBid →What is a Emil Bisttram work worth?
Across 68 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Emil Bisttram work is $3,400.
The median Emil Bisttram painting sells for $4,680 across 35 lots.
The median Emil Bisttram work on paper sells for $1,850 across 26 lots.
The median Emil Bisttram print sells for $1,150 across 3 lots.
Small (under 50 cm) Emil Bisttram work on papers typically sell for $850–$3,250 (the middle half of 21 sold lots).
Prices are premium-inclusive where the house records them; hammer-only prices exclude the buyer's premium, and some prices are not yet basis-verified.
Price breakdown by category
| Category | Lots tracked | Median price | Record price | Sell-through | Last sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prints & Editions | 6 | $1,150 | $1,260 | 50% | 2023-07-27 |
| Paintings | 43 | $4,680† | $30,240 | 81.4% | 2026-06-03 |
| Works on Paper | 30 | $1,850† | $19,200 | 86.7% | 2026-02-19 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 4 | $42,620†‡ | $68,500 | — | 2025-09-13 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Emil Bisttram's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (6 lots) median $1,150 with 50% sell-through. Paintings (43 lots) median $4,680, record $30,240. A typical Emil Bisttram painting sells for around 4.1× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 4 lots) the median is $42,620.
Price by size
Paintings
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 19 | $2,246–$4,255† | $2,880† | $16,940 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 13 | $6,250–$25,200† | $11,875† | $30,240 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.
Works on Paper
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 21 | $850–$3,250† | $1,700† | $10,795 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 5 | $889–$5,313† | $5,000† | $19,200 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.
Size is the work's longest edge. Cells appear only with at least 5 sold lots.
Notable results
| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 2021 | $30,240 |
| Paintings | 2024 | $30,000† |
| Works on Paper | 2021 | $19,200 |
| Works on Paper | 2025 | $10,795 |
| Prints & Editions | 2023 | $1,260 |
| Prints & Editions | 2001 | $1,150 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.
The highest recorded result in each medium. See the full sale history on OpeningBid.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Emil Bisttram worth?
Across 68 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Emil Bisttram work is $3,400. The median Emil Bisttram painting sells for $4,680 across 35 lots. The median Emil Bisttram work on paper sells for $1,850 across 26 lots. The median Emil Bisttram print sells for $1,150 across 3 lots. Small (under 50 cm) Emil Bisttram work on papers typically sell for $850–$3,250 (the middle half of 21 sold lots). Prices are premium-inclusive where the house records them; hammer-only prices exclude the buyer's premium, and some prices are not yet basis-verified.
What is the average price of a Emil Bisttram painting?
Based on 35 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Emil Bisttram painting is $4,680. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.
What is Emil Bisttram's most expensive painting?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Emil Bisttram painting is $30,240.
What is the average price of a Emil Bisttram work on paper?
Based on 26 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Emil Bisttram work on paper is $1,850. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.
What is Emil Bisttram's most expensive work on paper?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Emil Bisttram work on paper is $19,200.
What is the average price of a small Emil Bisttram work on paper?
Based on 21 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Emil Bisttram work on paper (small (under 50 cm)) is $1,700, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.
What is the average price of a small Emil Bisttram painting?
Based on 19 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Emil Bisttram painting (small (under 50 cm)) is $2,880, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.
What is Emil Bisttram's auction record?
Emil Bisttram's auction record is $68,500, set in 2008.
See the full Emil Bisttram record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Emil Bisttram on OpeningBid →