Louis Vuitton Artsy Bag

The Louis Vuitton Artsy launched in 2009 and quickly became one of the maison's most identifiable hobos. Its signature: a single hand-braided natural cowhide handle arching over a soft Monogram canvas or Empreinte leather body. Our catalog gathers a curated selection of pre-owned Artsy bags authenticated by our experts, in both MM and GM sizes.

Sizes: Artsy MM and GM

Two main sizes. The Artsy MM (46 × 31 × 17 cm) is the most common — a daily hobo with comfortable volume and room for A4 documents. The Artsy GM (50 × 32 × 19 cm) is rarer, built for those who want a bag that doubles as a light carry-on. A handful of leather and metal bag charms were sold as limited editions to dress up the handle.

Monogram canvas, Empreinte and the braided handle

The Artsy ships primarily in coated Monogram canvas, with later versions also in Empreinte leather (deep monogram embossing on through-dyed calfskin). The braided natural cowhide handle is its most recognisable and most exposed feature: on heavily worn pieces the braid can loosen, and the untreated leather develops a deep amber patina. Check braid integrity, handle colour, corner condition and the microfibre lining.

Pre-owned pricing and savings

At retail, the Monogram Artsy MM sat around $2,250 and the GM around $2,800 before being phased out. Pre-owned today, expect from roughly $800 for a well-loved MM up to $1,700 for a near-mint Artsy or one in Empreinte leather. The model leaving current production has supported its resale value over time.

Authentication and alternatives

Every Artsy bag is inspected: date code, canvas or Empreinte quality, braided handle, corner condition, lining. If you are exploring other soft hobo or shoulder silhouettes from the maison, our Neverfull, Onthego, Bucket and Noé pages cover close alternatives. Selling an Artsy is straightforward — MMs in very good condition clear quickly.