Ludwig Bemelmans (1898–1962)
What is Ludwig Bemelmans’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 143 auction results for Ludwig Bemelmans at 17 houses since 1994. Over the last 24 months the median price was $3,250 including buyer’s premium (middle half $1,656–$5,297, n=14). The auction record is $302,400 for Illustration for 'Madeline and the Bad Hat' ("Pepito carried a bulging sack") (2021, Sotheby's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Illustration for 'Madeline and the Bad Hat' ("Pepito carried a bulging sack"), 1957 | Mixed media on paperboard laid down on board | $302,400 | Sotheby's | Mar 2021 |
| 2 | Illustration for 'The High World', 1954 | Watercolor, gouache, ink and pencil on paper | $201,600 | Sotheby's | Mar 2021 |
| 3 | Madeline and Pepito | Mixed media on paperboard | $151,200 | Sotheby's | Mar 2021 |
| 4 | Little Madeline Sat in Bed, Cried and Cried, Her Eyes Were Red | — | $126,000 | Sotheby's | Mar 2007 |
| 5 | Place de la Concorde | Oil on canvas | $95,250 | Sotheby's | Nov 2023 |
| 6 | And Lo and Behold, the Former Barbarian Turned into a Vegetarian | — | $91,000 | Sotheby's | May 2008 |
| 7 | Illustration for 'Madeline' ("Day to visit"), 1939 | Watercolor, gouache and ink on paper | $88,200 | Sotheby's | Mar 2021 |
| 8 | Conversation | Mixed media on paper | $81,900 | Sotheby's | Mar 2021 |
| 9 | "And Low" (Madeline's Rescue), 1953 | Casein on paperboard | $75,600 | Christie's | May 2022 |
| 10 | And here we're back - all twelve no less - Happy New Year and Togetherness!, 1956 | Ink and watercolor on paper laid down to board | $75,000 | Swann Auction Galleries | Dec 2017 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Prints | 26 | $7,560 |
| Paintings | 15 | $5,625 |
| Other | 21 | $5,313 |
| Works on paper | 75 | $5,292 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 52 | $8,785 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 65 | $4,750 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 143 results from 17 houses · How we compute these figures
Ludwig Bemelmans is an American artist with 176 auction lots recorded since 1994, median price $5,500. 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 Ludwig Bemelmans sold in 2026 for $10,880, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
2 Ludwig Bemelmans works are coming to auction (as of 2026-11-02). Follow Ludwig Bemelmans free on OpeningBid for sale alerts.
See the full Ludwig Bemelmans record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Ludwig Bemelmans on OpeningBid →What is a Ludwig Bemelmans work worth?
Across 143 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Ludwig Bemelmans work is $5,500.
The median Ludwig Bemelmans work on paper sells for $5,292 across 105 lots.
The median Ludwig Bemelmans painting sells for $7,500 across 19 lots.
The median Ludwig Bemelmans print sells for $1,300 across 9 lots.
Small (under 50 cm) Ludwig Bemelmans work on papers typically sell for $1,515–$8,032 (the middle half of 62 sold lots).
Medium (50–120 cm) Ludwig Bemelmans work on papers typically sell for $4,875–$15,060 (the middle half of 35 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 | 11 | $1,300† | $302,400 | 81.8% | 2023-10-05 |
| Paintings | 20 | $7,500†‡ | $95,250 | 95% | 2025-06-17 |
| Works on Paper | 109 | $5,292†‡ | $201,600 | 96.3% | 2026-10-09 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 1 | $5,313 | $5,313 | — | 2016-11-05 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 8 | $110,625 | $302,400 | — | 2023-11-14 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Ludwig Bemelmans's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (11 lots) median $1,300 with 81.8% sell-through. Paintings (20 lots) median $7,500, record $95,250. A typical Ludwig Bemelmans painting sells for around 5.8× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 8 lots) the median is $110,625.
Price by size
Prints & Editions
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 5 | $1,300–$151,200† | $5,250† | $302,400 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.
Paintings
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 13 | $3,600–$15,120†‡ | $5,625†‡ | $95,250 |
† 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) | 62 | $1,515–$8,032†‡ | $4,335†‡ | $81,900 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 35 | $4,875–$15,060 | $8,750 | $52,500 |
† 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Prints & Editions | 2021 | $302,400 |
| Works on Paper | 2021 | $201,600 |
| Prints & Editions | 2021 | $151,200 |
| Paintings | 2023 | $95,250 |
| Works on Paper | 2021 | $88,200 |
| Paintings | 2024 | $53,340 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2016 | $5,313 |
The highest recorded result in each medium. See the full sale history on OpeningBid.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Ludwig Bemelmans worth?
Across 143 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Ludwig Bemelmans work is $5,500. The median Ludwig Bemelmans work on paper sells for $5,292 across 105 lots. The median Ludwig Bemelmans painting sells for $7,500 across 19 lots. The median Ludwig Bemelmans print sells for $1,300 across 9 lots. Small (under 50 cm) Ludwig Bemelmans work on papers typically sell for $1,515–$8,032 (the middle half of 62 sold lots). Medium (50–120 cm) Ludwig Bemelmans work on papers typically sell for $4,875–$15,060 (the middle half of 35 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 Ludwig Bemelmans work on paper?
Based on 105 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Ludwig Bemelmans work on paper is $5,292. 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 Ludwig Bemelmans's most expensive work on paper?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Ludwig Bemelmans work on paper is $201,600.
What is the average price of a Ludwig Bemelmans painting?
Based on 19 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Ludwig Bemelmans painting is $7,500. 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 Ludwig Bemelmans's most expensive painting?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Ludwig Bemelmans painting is $95,250.
What is the average price of a Ludwig Bemelmans print?
Based on 9 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Ludwig Bemelmans print is $1,300. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.
What is Ludwig Bemelmans's most expensive print?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Ludwig Bemelmans print is $302,400.
What is the average price of a small Ludwig Bemelmans work on paper?
Based on 62 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Ludwig Bemelmans work on paper (small (under 50 cm)) is $4,335, 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 Ludwig Bemelmans work on paper?
Based on 35 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Ludwig Bemelmans work on paper (medium (50–120 cm)) is $8,750, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
What is Ludwig Bemelmans's auction record?
Ludwig Bemelmans's auction record is $302,400, set in 2021.
See the full Ludwig Bemelmans record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Ludwig Bemelmans on OpeningBid →