> Source: https://www.openingbid.art/artist/sem-2 · updated 2026-11-02

# Sem (1863–1934)

## What is Sem’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 54 auction results for Sem at 18 houses since 2002. Over the last 24 months the median price was $116 including buyer’s premium (middle half $108–$160, n=8). The auction record is $3,200 for Colette Willy (2002, Swann Auction Galleries). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sacha Guitry | Crayon | $2,955 | Ader | Oct 2021 |
| 2 | White Bottoms, 1927 | Procédé photomécanique. Impression en couleurs. Réunion de 41 planches (la dernière planche double), sous couverture illustrée défraîchie. Très belles épreuves sur vélin crème | $2,869 | Ader | Dec 2012 |

**Top auction records: prints & editions**

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Colette Willy | Etching | $3,200 | Swann Auction Galleries | Oct 2002 |
| 2 | Bière du Dragon | Chromolithographie | $2,308 | Ader | Apr 2025 |
| 3 | Alcazar d’été | Chromolithographie. Entoilée | $2,195 | Ader | May 2022 |
| 4 | Sem au bois. 1907-1908, 1907-1908 | Lithographie | $1,846 | Ader | Dec 2019 |
| 5 | Le Vrai & Le Faux Chic, 1914 | Lithograph | $1,750 | Swann Auction Galleries | Oct 2014 |
| 6 | Les Acacias | Lithograph | $1,348 | Sworders | Oct 2021 |
| 7 | Au Palais de Glace, circa 1900 | Lithographed | $1,280 | Swann Auction Galleries | Oct 2014 |
| 8 | MONTE CARLO BEACH / LE PARADIS RETROUVÉ, 1935 | — | $1,125 | Swann Auction Galleries | Aug 2016 |

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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Other | 15 | $619 |
| Prints | 23 | $293 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Small (under 50 cm) | 8 | $686 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 23 | $420 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 54 results from 18 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Sem is a French artist with 94 auction lots recorded since 2002, median price $414. 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 Sem sold in 2025 for $2,308, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Sem work worth?

Across 49 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Sem work is $414.

The median Sem print sells for $360 across 40 lots.

The median Sem work on paper sells for $560 across 3 lots.

The median Sem photograph sells for $625 across 1 lots.

Medium (50–120 cm) Sem prints typically sell for $116–$812 (the middle half of 21 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 | 49 | $360†‡ | $3,200 | 81.6% | 2026-05-05 |
| Works on Paper | 6 | $560 | $2,955 | 50% | 2021-10-06 |
| Photography | 1 | $625 | $625 | — | 2014-08-06 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 3 | $2,955 | $3,200 | — | 2021-10-06 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

## Price by size

### Prints & Editions

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 7 | $107–$875†‡ | $272†‡ | $1,280 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 21 | $116–$812† | $294† | $3,200 |

† 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 | 2002 | $3,200 |
| Works on Paper | 2021 | $2,955 |
| Prints & Editions | 2025 | $2,308 |
| Photography | 2014 | $625 |
| Works on Paper | 2014 | $560 |

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 Sem worth?

Across 49 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Sem work is $414. The median Sem print sells for $360 across 40 lots. The median Sem work on paper sells for $560 across 3 lots. The median Sem photograph sells for $625 across 1 lots. Medium (50–120 cm) Sem prints typically sell for $116–$812 (the middle half of 21 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 Sem print?

Based on 40 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Sem print is $360. 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 Sem's most expensive print?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Sem print is $3,200.

### What is the average price of a medium Sem print?

Based on 21 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Sem print (medium (50–120 cm)) is $294, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is Sem's auction record?

Sem's auction record is $3,200, set in 2002.

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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, “Sem auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/sem-2 (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.