> Source: https://www.openingbid.art/artist/norman-bluhm · updated 2026-11-02

# Norman Bluhm (1921–1999)

## What is Norman Bluhm’s work worth? {#value}

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.

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

| # | 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 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 99 | $25,000 |
| Other | 15 | $15,480 |
| Works on paper | 40 | $12,313 |

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

| 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](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


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).

- [Norman Bluhm on OpeningBid](https://www.openingbid.art/artist/norman-bluhm?ref=kg:norman-bluhm) — follow free in the OpeningBid app for sale alerts.

## 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. The full sale history is in the OpeningBid app (free sign-up).

## 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.

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Data last updated 2026-11-02. OpeningBid tracks 15,390,829 auction lots from 577 auction houses, refreshed nightly.

Cite this page as: OpeningBid, “Norman Bluhm auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/norman-bluhm (updated 2026-11-02).

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.