> Source: https://www.openingbid.art/artist/manuel-mendive · updated 2026-11-03

# Manuel Mendive (b. 1944)

## What is Manuel Mendive’s work worth? {#value}

As of 3 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 129 auction results for Manuel Mendive at 22 houses since 2002. Over the last 24 months the median price was $5,106 including buyer’s premium (middle half $1,140–$10,965, n=12). The auction record is $125,000 for Energías para el amor y la bondad (2017, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

**Top auction records: paintings, drawings & sculpture**

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Energías para el amor y la bondad, 2015 | Installation in twenty-one parts: acrylic on canvas with canvas collage and cowrie shells with twenty metal-framed birds (acrylic on canvas with cowrie shells) | $125,000 | Christie's | May 2017 |
| 2 | Occuni, 2003 | Oil paint | $100,000 | Christie's | May 2018 |
| 3 | EL ALIMENTO | Technique mixte | $99,798 | Cornette de Saint Cyr (Bonhams) | Feb 2017 |
| 4 | Aguas profundas, 1994 | Oil paint | $93,750 | Christie's | May 2019 |
| 5 | Ex-Votos | Metal collage elements on oil on canvas | $87,500 | Phillips | Nov 2015 |
| 6 | Los hijos de Yemayá, cuando se mueren se van a vivir al mar, 1998 | Iron | $87,500 | Christie's | Nov 2018 |
| 7 | El rostro del agua, 2010 | Oil paint | $75,000 | Christie's | Nov 2017 |
| 8 | El vaso de leche, 2001 | Oil paint | $68,750 | Christie's | May 2018 |
| 9 | La gallina amarilla, 2010 | Oil paint | $68,750 | Christie's | May 2016 |
| 10 | The Eyes of the Snail, 1992 | Oil paint | $68,750 | Christie's | Nov 2020 |


**Median price by medium (last 24 months, n ≥ 5)**

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 60 | $24,470 |
| Other | 11 | $12,500 |
| Sculpture | 10 | $8,900 |
| Works on paper | 8 | $5,216 |

**Median price by size (last 24 months, n ≥ 5)**

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 34 | $41,875 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 48 | $11,988 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 9 | $4,375 |

Data as of 3 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 129 results from 22 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Manuel Mendive is a Cuban artist with 154 auction lots recorded since 2002, median price $11,250. 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 Manuel Mendive sold in 2026 for $35,840, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

**1 Manuel Mendive work is coming to auction** (as of 2026-11-03).

- [Manuel Mendive on OpeningBid](https://www.openingbid.art/artist/manuel-mendive?ref=kg:manuel-mendive) — follow free in the OpeningBid app for sale alerts.

## What is a Manuel Mendive work worth?

Across 127 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Manuel Mendive work is $11,250.

The median Manuel Mendive painting sells for $18,900 across 76 lots.

The median Manuel Mendive work on paper sells for $4,093 across 21 lots.

The median Manuel Mendive sculpture sells for $6,404 across 9 lots.

Medium (50–120 cm) Manuel Mendive paintings typically sell for $6,397–$18,900 (the middle half of 43 sold lots).

Large (over 120 cm) Manuel Mendive paintings typically sell for $35,000–$68,750 (the middle half of 27 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 | $300† | $681 | 83.3% | 2025-01-24 |
| Paintings | 85 | $18,900† | $125,000 | 89.4% | 2026-02-27 |
| Works on Paper | 21 | $4,093†‡ | $10,349 | — | 2026-06-22 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 10 | $6,404† | $43,750 | 90% | 2026-06-22 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 7 | $93,750 | $125,000 | — | 2019-05-22 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.

Manuel Mendive's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (6 lots) median $300 with 83.3% sell-through. Paintings (85 lots) median $18,900, record $125,000. A typical Manuel Mendive painting sells for around 63× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 7 lots) the median is $93,750.

## Price by size

### Paintings

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 43 | $6,397–$18,900† | $12,500† | $47,880 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 27 | $35,000–$68,750 | $47,500 | $125,000 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

### Works on Paper

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 8 | $2,082–$4,389† | $3,068† | $6,000 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 12 | $3,277–$6,490†‡ | $5,355†‡ | $10,349 |

† 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 | 2017 | $125,000 |
| Paintings | 2018 | $100,000 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2020 | $43,750 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2015 | $13,750 |
| Works on Paper | 2022 | $10,349 |
| Works on Paper | 2018 | $8,750 |
| Prints & Editions | 2025 | $681 |
| Prints & Editions | 2024 | $344 |

The highest recorded result in each medium. The full sale history is in the OpeningBid app (free sign-up).

## Frequently asked questions

### What is a Manuel Mendive worth?

Across 127 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Manuel Mendive work is $11,250. The median Manuel Mendive painting sells for $18,900 across 76 lots. The median Manuel Mendive work on paper sells for $4,093 across 21 lots. The median Manuel Mendive sculpture sells for $6,404 across 9 lots. Medium (50–120 cm) Manuel Mendive paintings typically sell for $6,397–$18,900 (the middle half of 43 sold lots). Large (over 120 cm) Manuel Mendive paintings typically sell for $35,000–$68,750 (the middle half of 27 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 Manuel Mendive painting?

Based on 76 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Manuel Mendive painting is $18,900. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is Manuel Mendive's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Manuel Mendive painting is $125,000.

### What is the average price of a Manuel Mendive work on paper?

Based on 21 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Manuel Mendive work on paper is $4,093. 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 Manuel Mendive's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Manuel Mendive work on paper is $10,349.

### What is the average price of a medium Manuel Mendive painting?

Based on 43 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Manuel Mendive painting (medium (50–120 cm)) is $12,500, 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 large Manuel Mendive painting?

Based on 27 sold lots, the median auction price of a large Manuel Mendive painting (large (over 120 cm)) is $47,500, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

### What is Manuel Mendive's auction record?

Manuel Mendive's auction record is $125,000, set in 2017.

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Data last updated 2026-11-03. OpeningBid tracks 15,596,131 auction lots from 579 auction houses, refreshed nightly.

Cite this page as: OpeningBid, “Manuel Mendive auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/manuel-mendive (updated 2026-11-03).

Historical auction data, not investment advice. Prices are premium-inclusive USD where the buyer's premium is recorded. Figures marked † are hammer prices (buyer's premium not included); ‡ marks a price whose basis is not yet verified. Non-USD results are converted at the sale month's rate.