Oscar Bluemner (1867–1938)
What is Oscar Bluemner’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 215 auction results for Oscar Bluemner at 22 houses since 1988. Over the last 24 months the median price was $21,600 including buyer’s premium (middle half $9,564–$206,375, n=7). The auction record is $5,346,500 for Illusion of a Prairie, New Jersey (Red Farm at Pochuck) (2011, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Illusion of a Prairie, New Jersey (Red Farm at Pochuck), 1915 | Oil paint | $5,346,500 | Christie's | Nov 2011 |
| 2 | Surprise (May Moon), 1927 | Gouache | $815,000 | Christie's | Dec 2013 |
| 3 | Moon Radiance, 1927 | Watercolor | $768,000 | Christie's | May 2007 |
| 4 | Sunset on the St. Lawrence, 1927 | Watercolor | $629,000 | Christie's | May 2014 |
| 5 | Black by Gold, 1934 | Wool | $495,300 | Phillips | Nov 2024 |
| 6 | Asleep (Vernal Moon), 1927 | Watercolor | $485,000 | Christie's | Nov 2015 |
| 7 | Evening Tones, 1867 | Oil paint | $380,000 | Christie's | Nov 2001 |
| 8 | Red Night. Thoughts | — | $337,000 | Sotheby's | May 2008 |
| 9 | Colors of May, 1930 | Tempera | $304,800 | Phillips | Nov 2024 |
| 10 | Dreaming, 1924 | Watercolor | $180,000 | Christie's | Dec 2005 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 10 | $133,225 |
| Works on paper | 147 | $1,599 |
| Other | 33 | $1,560 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 6 | $342,400 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 119 | $1,875 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 215 results from 22 houses · How we compute these figures
Oscar Bluemner is an American artist with 262 auction lots recorded since 1988, median price $1,530. 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 Oscar Bluemner sold in 2026 for $17,920, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
2 Oscar Bluemner works are coming to auction (as of 2026-11-02). Follow Oscar Bluemner free on OpeningBid for sale alerts.
See the full Oscar Bluemner record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Oscar Bluemner on OpeningBid →What is a Oscar Bluemner work worth?
Across 212 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Oscar Bluemner work is $1,530.
The median Oscar Bluemner work on paper sells for $1,416 across 193 lots.
The median Oscar Bluemner painting sells for $66,675 across 10 lots.
The median Oscar Bluemner print sells for $1,150 across 4 lots.
Small (under 50 cm) Oscar Bluemner work on papers typically sell for $734–$4,199 (the middle half of 128 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 | 5 | $1,150 | $3,000 | 80% | 2002-05-23 |
| Paintings | 12 | $66,675 | $5.3M | 83.3% | 2025-11-21 |
| Works on Paper | 221 | $1,416†‡ | $815,000 | 87.3% | 2026-10-09 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 1 | $21,250 | $21,250 | — | 2013-05-23 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 13 | $380,000 | $5.3M | — | 2025-11-21 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Oscar Bluemner's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (5 lots) median $1,150 with 80% sell-through. Paintings (12 lots) median $66,675, record $5,346,500. A typical Oscar Bluemner painting sells for around 58× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 13 lots) the median is $380,000.
Price by size
Paintings
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 5 | $2,000–$5,605 | $4,788 | $25,400 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 5 | $304,800–$495,300 | $380,000 | $5.3M |
Works on Paper
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 128 | $734–$4,199†‡ | $1,471†‡ | $815,000 |
† 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 | 2011 | $5.3M |
| Works on Paper | 2013 | $815,000 |
| Works on Paper | 2007 | $768,000 |
| Paintings | 2024 | $495,300 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2013 | $21,250 |
| Prints & Editions | 2002 | $3,000 |
| Prints & Editions | 2002 | $1,200 |
The highest recorded result in each medium. See the full sale history on OpeningBid.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Oscar Bluemner worth?
Across 212 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Oscar Bluemner work is $1,530. The median Oscar Bluemner work on paper sells for $1,416 across 193 lots. The median Oscar Bluemner painting sells for $66,675 across 10 lots. The median Oscar Bluemner print sells for $1,150 across 4 lots. Small (under 50 cm) Oscar Bluemner work on papers typically sell for $734–$4,199 (the middle half of 128 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 Oscar Bluemner work on paper?
Based on 193 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Oscar Bluemner work on paper is $1,416. 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 Oscar Bluemner's most expensive work on paper?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Oscar Bluemner work on paper is $815,000.
What is the average price of a Oscar Bluemner painting?
Based on 10 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Oscar Bluemner painting is $66,675.
What is Oscar Bluemner's most expensive painting?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Oscar Bluemner painting is $5,346,500.
What is the average price of a small Oscar Bluemner work on paper?
Based on 128 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Oscar Bluemner work on paper (small (under 50 cm)) is $1,471, 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 Oscar Bluemner's auction record?
Oscar Bluemner's auction record is $5,346,500, set in 2011.
See the full Oscar Bluemner record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Oscar Bluemner on OpeningBid →