Norman Bluhm (1921–1999)
What is Norman Bluhm’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 183 auction results for Norman Bluhm at 23 houses since 2000. Over the last 24 months the median price was $15,995 including buyer’s premium (middle half $6,375–$64,467, n=24). The auction record is $722,500 for Winter Nights (2012, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Winter Nights, 1959 | Triptych | $722,500 | Christie's | May 2012 |
| 2 | Lava, 1958 | Oil on canvas | $433,869 | Christie's | May 2010 |
| 3 | Bear Trail, 1958 | Oil on canvas | $211,359 | Christie's | Mar 2012 |
| 4 | Open Red, 1959 | Oil on canvas | $156,000 | Sotheby's | Nov 2024 |
| 5 | Byzantine Earth, 1957 | Oil on canvas | $125,782 | Christie's | Mar 2006 |
| 6 | Open Hearth, 1960 | Painting | $121,150 | Bonhams | Nov 2023 |
| 7 | Blue #1, 1956 | Oil on canvas | $120,229 | Christie's | May 2010 |
| 8 | Mid Day | Oil on canvas | $110,500 | Sotheby's | Mar 2011 |
| 9 | Balaclava, 1960 | Huile sur toile | $101,032 | Cornette de Saint Cyr (Bonhams) | Jun 2025 |
| 10 | Black Card, 1961 | Painting | $93,750 | Los Angeles Modern Auctions | Feb 2016 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 99 | $25,000 |
| Other | 15 | $15,480 |
| Works on paper | 40 | $12,313 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 61 | $40,000 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 73 | $12,500 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 9 | $2,875 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 183 results from 23 houses · How we compute these figures
Norman Bluhm is an American artist with 224 auction lots recorded since 2000, median price $18,769. 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 Norman Bluhm sold in 2026 for $83,200, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
4 Norman Bluhm works are coming to auction (as of 2026-11-02). Follow Norman Bluhm free on OpeningBid for sale alerts.
See the full Norman Bluhm record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Norman Bluhm on OpeningBid →What is a Norman Bluhm work worth?
Across 181 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Norman Bluhm work is $18,769.
The median Norman Bluhm painting sells for $26,304 across 96 lots.
The median Norman Bluhm work on paper sells for $12,188 across 39 lots.
The median Norman Bluhm print sells for $486 across 2 lots.
Large (over 120 cm) Norman Bluhm paintings typically sell for $27,684–$81,413 (the middle half of 48 sold lots).
Medium (50–120 cm) Norman Bluhm paintings typically sell for $8,288–$23,125 (the middle half of 43 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 | 3 | $486 | $701 | 66.7% | 2020-08-18 |
| Paintings | 116 | $26,304 | $2.2M | 82.8% | 2026-10-01 |
| Works on Paper | 46 | $12,188† | $84,011 | 84.8% | 2026-02-28 |
| Photography | 2 | $2,750 | $3,000 | — | 2020-01-16 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 12 | $139,917 | $2.2M | — | 2025-06-05 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.
Norman Bluhm's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (3 lots) median $486 with 66.7% sell-through. Paintings (116 lots) median $26,304, record $2,210,899. A typical Norman Bluhm painting sells for around 54× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 12 lots) the median is $139,917.
Price by size
Paintings
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 43 | $8,288–$23,125 | $13,750 | $120,229 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 48 | $27,684–$81,413 | $48,750 | $2.2M |
Works on Paper
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 28 | $5,294–$16,175† | $10,938† | $84,011 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 7 | $17,134–$42,500 | $27,500 | $71,759 |
† 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 | 2008 | $2.2M |
| Paintings | 2012 | $722,500 |
| Works on Paper | 2010 | $84,011 |
| Works on Paper | 2014 | $71,759 |
| Photography | 2020 | $3,000 |
| Photography | 2020 | $2,500 |
| Prints & Editions | 2020 | $701 |
| Prints & Editions | 2017 | $270 |
The highest recorded result in each medium. See the full sale history on OpeningBid.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Norman Bluhm worth?
Across 181 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Norman Bluhm work is $18,769. The median Norman Bluhm painting sells for $26,304 across 96 lots. The median Norman Bluhm work on paper sells for $12,188 across 39 lots. The median Norman Bluhm print sells for $486 across 2 lots. Large (over 120 cm) Norman Bluhm paintings typically sell for $27,684–$81,413 (the middle half of 48 sold lots). Medium (50–120 cm) Norman Bluhm paintings typically sell for $8,288–$23,125 (the middle half of 43 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 Norman Bluhm painting?
Based on 96 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Norman Bluhm painting is $26,304.
What is Norman Bluhm's most expensive painting?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Norman Bluhm painting is $2,210,899.
What is the average price of a Norman Bluhm work on paper?
Based on 39 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Norman Bluhm work on paper is $12,188. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.
What is Norman Bluhm's most expensive work on paper?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Norman Bluhm work on paper is $84,011.
What is the average price of a large Norman Bluhm painting?
Based on 48 sold lots, the median auction price of a large Norman Bluhm painting (large (over 120 cm)) is $48,750, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
What is the average price of a medium Norman Bluhm painting?
Based on 43 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Norman Bluhm painting (medium (50–120 cm)) is $13,750, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
What is Norman Bluhm's auction record?
Norman Bluhm's auction record is $2,210,899, set in 2008.
See the full Norman Bluhm record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Norman Bluhm on OpeningBid →