> Source: https://www.openingbid.art/artist/walter-swennen · updated 2026-11-03

# Walter Swennen (1946–2025)

## What is Walter Swennen’s work worth? {#value}

As of 3 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 65 auction results for Walter Swennen at 9 houses since 2003. Over the last 24 months the median price was $9,458 including buyer’s premium (middle half $1,686–$21,028, n=11). The auction record is $45,996 for Untitled (Beer) (Untitled (Bear)) (2003, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Untitled (Beer) (Untitled (Bear)), 1996 | Oil and enamel on wood | $45,996 | Christie's | May 2003 |
| 2 | Le tambour, 1946 | Painting | $44,792 | PIASA | Jul 2026 |
| 3 | Grand mur, 2008 | Oil on canvas | $38,514 | Christie's | Nov 2012 |
| 4 | Sans titre, (F.L.S.), 1946 | Huile sur panneau Titré en haut à gauche Signé des initiales et daté au dos 70 x 57 x | $34,726 | PIASA | Sep 2021 |
| 5 | un « R» en rose sur une toile (a pink ‘R’ on a canvas), 1991 | Un « R» en rose sur une toile (a pink ‘R’ on a canvas) | $32,307 | Christie's | Mar 2026 |
| 6 | Zeeslag - Combat naval, 2004 | Oil on vinyl | $26,533 | Sotheby's | Dec 2022 |
| 7 | Untitled (Megaphone), 2012 | Oil on canvas | $25,600 | Sotheby's | Jun 2026 |
| 8 | Crétin, 1946 | Huile et encaustique sur toile Titrée au centre en bas au centre Signée des initiales | $22,647 | PIASA | Sep 2021 |
| 9 | 2 arrows (abstract), 2014 | Oil on canvas | $17,459 | Christie's | Oct 2010 |
| 10 | Untitled (Fumeur et Bottle), 1986 | Oil on canvas and wood | $17,252 | Christie's | Nov 2023 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 15 | $22,647 |
| Other | 5 | $3,926 |
| Works on paper | 8 | $2,193 |
| Prints | 7 | $368 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 5 | $26,533 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 16 | $12,415 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 13 | $1,878 |

Data as of 3 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 65 results from 9 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Walter Swennen is an undetermined artist with 87 auction lots recorded since 2003, median price $8,435. Some sold prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium; they are marked on this page.

A work by Walter Swennen sold in 2026 for $11,074, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Walter Swennen work worth?

Across 65 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Walter Swennen work is $8,435.

The median Walter Swennen painting sells for $21,381 across 29 lots.

The median Walter Swennen work on paper sells for $2,984 across 15 lots.

The median Walter Swennen print sells for $351 across 12 lots.

Medium (50–120 cm) Walter Swennen paintings typically sell for $14,225–$26,031 (the middle half of 20 sold lots).

Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

## Price breakdown by category

| Category | Lots tracked | Median price | Record price | Sell-through | Last sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prints & Editions | 15 | $351† | $815 | 80% | 2026-03-13 |
| Paintings | 36 | $21,381† | $58,540† | 80.6% | 2026-07-02 |
| Works on Paper | 24 | $2,984† | $5,706† | 62.5% | 2026-03-13 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 4 | $53,862† | $98,677† | — | 2023-12-04 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

Walter Swennen's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (15 lots) median $351 with 80% sell-through. Paintings (36 lots) median $21,381, record $58,540. That record lot sold for a hammer price of $58,540 (buyer's premium not included). A typical Walter Swennen painting sells for around 61× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 4 lots) the median is $53,862.

## Price by size

### Prints & Editions

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 5 | $368–$458† | $416† | $592† |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 6 | $226–$374† | $316† | $815 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

### Paintings

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 20 | $14,225–$26,031† | $17,514† | $44,792 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 6 | $38,863–$48,388† | $42,953† | $58,540† |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

### Works on Paper

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 14 | $1,956–$3,957† | $2,917† | $5,706† |

† 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 | 2020 | $58,540† |
| Paintings | 2017 | $49,185† |
| Works on Paper | 2017 | $5,706† |
| Works on Paper | 2023 | $5,258† |
| Prints & Editions | 2008 | $815 |
| Prints & Editions | 2019 | $592† |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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 Walter Swennen worth?

Across 65 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Walter Swennen work is $8,435. The median Walter Swennen painting sells for $21,381 across 29 lots. The median Walter Swennen work on paper sells for $2,984 across 15 lots. The median Walter Swennen print sells for $351 across 12 lots. Medium (50–120 cm) Walter Swennen paintings typically sell for $14,225–$26,031 (the middle half of 20 sold lots). Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is the average price of a Walter Swennen painting?

Based on 29 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Walter Swennen painting is $21,381. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is Walter Swennen's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Walter Swennen painting is $58,540. That record lot sold for a hammer price of $58,540 (buyer's premium not included).

### What is the average price of a Walter Swennen work on paper?

Based on 15 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Walter Swennen work on paper is $2,984. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is Walter Swennen's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Walter Swennen work on paper is $5,706. That record lot sold for a hammer price of $5,706 (buyer's premium not included).

### What is the average price of a Walter Swennen print?

Based on 12 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Walter Swennen print is $351. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is Walter Swennen's most expensive print?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Walter Swennen print is $815.

### What is the average price of a medium Walter Swennen painting?

Based on 20 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Walter Swennen painting (medium (50–120 cm)) is $17,514, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is the average price of a small Walter Swennen work on paper?

Based on 14 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Walter Swennen work on paper (small (under 50 cm)) is $2,917, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is Walter Swennen's auction record?

Walter Swennen's auction record is $98,677, set in 2023. That record lot sold for a hammer price of $98,677 (buyer's premium not included).

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Data last updated 2026-11-03. OpeningBid tracks 15,596,131 auction lots from 579 auction houses, refreshed nightly.

Cite this page as: OpeningBid, “Walter Swennen auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/walter-swennen (updated 2026-11-03).

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.