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

# Valentine Hugo (1890–1968)

## What is Valentine Hugo’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 73 auction results for Valentine Hugo at 16 houses since 2002. Over the last 24 months the median price was $1,197 including buyer’s premium (middle half $738–$5,835, n=25). The auction record is $825,500 for Le Crapaud de Maldoror (2025, Sotheby's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Le Crapaud de Maldoror, 1932 | Colored pencil on black paper mounted in the artist's mat | $825,500 | Sotheby's | Nov 2025 |
| 2 | Фиnix Pécopin | Pastel on papier | $52,465 | Sotheby's | Apr 2026 |
| 3 | Signes du Zodiaque - Quatre saisons | Douze pastels sur papier noir | $31,894 | Ader | Mar 2026 |
| 4 | Libellule | Gouache et crayons de couleurs sur papier noir | $29,173 | Cornette de Saint Cyr (Bonhams) | Apr 2025 |
| 5 | Portrait d'homme (Probablement Paul Eluard), 1953 | Pastel sur papier bleu | $20,288 | Cornette de Saint Cyr (Bonhams) | Mar 2025 |
| 6 | Portrait de femme, 1926 | Pastel | $8,566 | Artcurial | May 2023 |
| 7 | Composition abstraite avec visages | Aquarelle et frottage sur papier | $8,168 | Cornette de Saint Cyr (Bonhams) | Apr 2025 |
| 8 | L'esprit du vin ou l'alcoolisme, 1890 | Huile et grattage sur toile | $8,081 | Christie's | Jun 2018 |
| 9 | Portrait de Suzanne Tezenas | Crayon sur papier bleu | $5,835 | Cornette de Saint Cyr (Bonhams) | Apr 2025 |
| 10 | Portrait de Dominique Eluard, encre de Chine et mine de plomb, circa 1945 | Encre de Chine, mine de plomb et réhauts de gouache blanche sur papier calque | $5,179 | Christie's | Dec 2002 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Works on paper | 27 | $2,305 |
| Prints | 15 | $1,297 |
| Other | 18 | $990 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Small (under 50 cm) | 44 | $1,362 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 73 results from 16 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Valentine Hugo is a French artist with 90 auction lots recorded since 2002, median price $1,369. 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 Valentine Hugo sold in 2026 for $52,465, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Valentine Hugo work worth?

Across 73 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Valentine Hugo work is $1,369.

The median Valentine Hugo work on paper sells for $2,103 across 35 lots.

The median Valentine Hugo print sells for $983 across 22 lots.

The median Valentine Hugo painting sells for $1,644 across 3 lots.

Small (under 50 cm) Valentine Hugo work on papers typically sell for $867–$5,671 (the middle half of 30 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 | 27 | $983†‡ | $3,250 | 81.5% | 2026-07-09 |
| Paintings | 4 | $1,644 | $8,081 | 75% | 2018-06-08 |
| Works on Paper | 37 | $2,103†‡ | $825,500 | 94.6% | 2026-10-07 |
| Photography | 2 | $421 | $720 | — | 2025-04-10 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 4 | $42,180 | $825,500 | — | 2026-04-10 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

Valentine Hugo's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (27 lots) median $983 with 81.5% sell-through. Paintings (4 lots) median $1,644, record $8,081. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 4 lots) the median is $42,180.

## Price by size

### Prints & Editions

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 13 | $478–$2,000†‡ | $1,090†‡ | $3,250 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

### Works on Paper

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 30 | $867–$5,671†‡ | $2,119†‡ | $825,500 |

† 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Works on Paper | 2025 | $825,500 |
| Works on Paper | 2026 | $52,465 |
| Paintings | 2018 | $8,081 |
| Prints & Editions | 2018 | $3,250 |
| Prints & Editions | 2019 | $3,250 |
| Paintings | 2007 | $1,644 |
| Photography | 2025 | $720 |
| Photography | 2020 | $122 |

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 Valentine Hugo worth?

Across 73 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Valentine Hugo work is $1,369. The median Valentine Hugo work on paper sells for $2,103 across 35 lots. The median Valentine Hugo print sells for $983 across 22 lots. The median Valentine Hugo painting sells for $1,644 across 3 lots. Small (under 50 cm) Valentine Hugo work on papers typically sell for $867–$5,671 (the middle half of 30 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 Valentine Hugo work on paper?

Based on 35 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Valentine Hugo work on paper is $2,103. 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 Valentine Hugo's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Valentine Hugo work on paper is $825,500.

### What is the average price of a Valentine Hugo print?

Based on 22 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Valentine Hugo print is $983. 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 Valentine Hugo's most expensive print?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Valentine Hugo print is $3,250.

### What is the average price of a small Valentine Hugo work on paper?

Based on 30 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Valentine Hugo work on paper (small (under 50 cm)) is $2,119, 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 the average price of a small Valentine Hugo print?

Based on 13 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Valentine Hugo print (small (under 50 cm)) is $1,090, 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 Valentine Hugo's auction record?

Valentine Hugo's auction record is $825,500, set in 2025.

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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, “Valentine Hugo auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/valentine-hugo (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.