Karel Appel (1921–2006)
What is Karel Appel’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 2,451 auction results for Karel Appel at 132 houses since 1989. Over the last 24 months the median price was $1,527 including buyer’s premium (middle half $635–$16,462, n=216). The auction record is $794,474 for Le grand chef Cobra (Big Chief Cobra) (2010, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Le grand chef Cobra (Big Chief Cobra), 1950 | Oil paint | $794,474 | Christie's | Jun 2010 |
| 2 | Women, Children, Animals, 1951 | Oil paint | $757,500 | Christie's | May 2002 |
| 3 | Sans titre (huile sur toile), 1952 | Oil paint | $708,286 | Christie's | Jun 2021 |
| 4 | L'exode - le monde floral, 1953 | Oil paint | $700,448 | Christie's | Jun 2004 |
| 5 | Fille en pleurs | Huile sur toile | $627,808 | Sotheby's | May 2012 |
| 6 | LA VACHE, 1953 | Huile sur toile | $552,659 | Artcurial | Oct 2011 |
| 7 | Child with green ball, 1951 | Oil paint | $528,345 | Christie's | Mar 2021 |
| 8 | Têtes partout - Paysage humain | Huile sur toile | $508,850 | Sotheby's | Dec 2015 |
| 9 | Flying Faces (Movie Painting), 1961 | Oil paint | $504,000 | Christie's | May 2007 |
| 10 | Deux Têtes (Two Heads), 1959 | Oil paint | $488,877 | Christie's | Dec 2017 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 428 | $47,964 |
| Other | 175 | $14,480 |
| Works on paper | 163 | $12,783 |
| Sculpture | 51 | $10,000 |
| Prints | 643 | $783 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 165 | $107,029 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 175 | $7,575 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 1,025 | $1,700 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 2,451 results from 132 houses · How we compute these figures
Karel Appel is a Dutch artist with 3,102 auction lots recorded since 1989, median price $1,920. Some sold prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium; they are marked on this page. Some sold prices are not yet verified as premium-inclusive or hammer, and are marked on this page.
A work by Karel Appel sold in 2026 for $157,597, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
13 Karel Appel works are coming to auction (as of 2026-11-02). Follow Karel Appel free on OpeningBid for sale alerts.
See the full Karel Appel record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Karel Appel on OpeningBid →What is a Karel Appel work worth?
Across 2,376 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Karel Appel work is $1,920.
The median Karel Appel print sells for $647 across 1,153 lots.
The median Karel Appel painting sells for $39,838 across 584 lots.
The median Karel Appel work on paper sells for $15,000 across 222 lots.
Medium (50–120 cm) Karel Appel prints typically sell for $450–$1,076 (the middle half of 1,006 sold lots).
Medium (50–120 cm) Karel Appel paintings typically sell for $19,588–$61,275 (the middle half of 314 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 | 1,343 | $647†‡ | $128,556 | 85.9% | 2026-10-29 |
| Paintings | 704 | $39,838†‡ | $794,474 | 83% | 2026-10-15 |
| Works on Paper | 264 | $15,000†‡ | $433,537 | 84.1% | 2026-10-08 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 64 | $11,875†‡ | $84,472 | 73.4% | 2025-11-25 |
| Photography | 4 | $3,750† | $8,750 | — | 2019-11-21 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 149 | $177,800†‡ | $794,474 | — | 2026-10-23 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Karel Appel's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (1,343 lots) median $647 with 85.9% sell-through. Paintings (704 lots) median $39,838, record $794,474. A typical Karel Appel painting sells for around 62× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 149 lots) the median is $177,800.
Price by size
Prints & Editions
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 78 | $274–$774†‡ | $475†‡ | $5,400 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 1,006 | $450–$1,076†‡ | $662†‡ | $128,556 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Paintings
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 82 | $14,647–$35,307†‡ | $23,078†‡ | $183,202 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 314 | $19,588–$61,275†‡ | $31,795†‡ | $794,474 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 149 | $62,256–$205,972†‡ | $122,500†‡ | $757,500 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Works on Paper
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 61 | $3,251–$12,052†‡ | $7,180†‡ | $42,305 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 140 | $10,138–$25,973†‡ | $18,057†‡ | $107,277 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 10 | $40,563–$58,886‡ | $48,377‡ | $433,537 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Sculpture & Installation
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 28 | $4,672–$17,812†‡ | $5,975†‡ | $57,150 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 13 | $15,000–$18,779†‡ | $15,625†‡ | $84,472 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Size is the work's longest edge. Cells appear only with at least 5 sold lots.
Notable results
| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 2010 | $794,474 |
| Paintings | 2002 | $757,500 |
| Works on Paper | 2017 | $433,537 |
| Works on Paper | 2018 | $228,872 |
| Prints & Editions | 2022 | $128,556 |
| Prints & Editions | 2022 | $128,556 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2016 | $84,472 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2025 | $57,150 |
The highest recorded result in each medium. See the full sale history on OpeningBid.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Karel Appel worth?
Across 2,376 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Karel Appel work is $1,920. The median Karel Appel print sells for $647 across 1,153 lots. The median Karel Appel painting sells for $39,838 across 584 lots. The median Karel Appel work on paper sells for $15,000 across 222 lots. Medium (50–120 cm) Karel Appel prints typically sell for $450–$1,076 (the middle half of 1,006 sold lots). Medium (50–120 cm) Karel Appel paintings typically sell for $19,588–$61,275 (the middle half of 314 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 Karel Appel print?
Based on 1,153 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Karel Appel print is $647. 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 Karel Appel's most expensive print?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Karel Appel print is $128,556.
What is the average price of a Karel Appel painting?
Based on 584 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Karel Appel painting is $39,838. 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 Karel Appel's most expensive painting?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Karel Appel painting is $794,474.
What is the average price of a Karel Appel work on paper?
Based on 222 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Karel Appel work on paper is $15,000. 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 Karel Appel's most expensive work on paper?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Karel Appel work on paper is $433,537.
What is the average price of a medium Karel Appel print?
Based on 1,006 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Karel Appel print (medium (50–120 cm)) is $662, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. 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 medium Karel Appel painting?
Based on 314 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Karel Appel painting (medium (50–120 cm)) is $31,795, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. 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 Karel Appel's auction record?
Karel Appel's auction record is $794,474, set in 2010.
See the full Karel Appel record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
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