A.R. Penck (1939–2017)
What is A.R. Penck’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 771 auction results for A.R. Penck at 54 houses since 1999. Over the last 24 months the median price was $12,783 including buyer’s premium (middle half $5,968–$32,936, n=46). The auction record is $482,480 for Ali Alpha Tor (2017, Phillips). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ali Alpha Tor, 1975 | Dispersion paint on canvas | $482,480 | Phillips | Oct 2017 |
| 2 | Entscheidung (Decision), 1983 | Acrylic paint | $399,656 | Christie's | Nov 2016 |
| 3 | Landung auf einem Planeten, 1983 | Oil and acrylic on canvas | $364,684 | Phillips | Jun 2017 |
| 4 | SYSTEM B – SYSTEM A, 1971 | Acrylic on linen | $324,300 | Sotheby's | Jun 2020 |
| 5 | UNENDLICHKEIT – EINE FALLE, 1967 | Oil on canvas | $324,300 | Sotheby's | Jun 2020 |
| 6 | Geben und Nehmen, 2005 | Acrylic paint | $310,503 | Kunsthaus Lempertz | Dec 2021 |
| 7 | Konzept, 1982 | Canvas | $304,675 | Christie's | Jun 2021 |
| 8 | TTT (RT) 2, 1982 | Acrylic on canvas | $298,000 | Phillips | May 2017 |
| 9 | An evening with Pam Partizan, 1989 | Acrylic paint | $273,823 | Christie's | Oct 2024 |
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Strike, 1985 | Aquatinte en violet et orange | $267,825 | Artcurial | May 2022 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 116 | $46,904 |
| Other | 56 | $10,546 |
| Sculpture | 36 | $10,391 |
| Works on paper | 49 | $8,804 |
| Prints | 53 | $1,544 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 67 | $82,550 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 150 | $18,979 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 84 | $5,607 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 771 results from 54 houses · How we compute these figures
A.R. Penck is a German artist with 931 auction lots recorded since 1999, median price $1,823. 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 A.R. Penck sold in 2026 for $201,096, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
2 A.R. Penck works are coming to auction (as of 2026-11-02). Follow A.R. Penck free on OpeningBid for sale alerts.
See the full A.R. Penck record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View A.R. Penck on OpeningBid →What is a A.R. Penck work worth?
Across 720 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a A.R. Penck work is $1,823.
The median A.R. Penck print sells for $888 across 339 lots.
The median A.R. Penck painting sells for $37,398 across 154 lots.
The median A.R. Penck work on paper sells for $4,675 across 114 lots.
Medium (50–120 cm) A.R. Penck prints typically sell for $520–$1,287 (the middle half of 220 sold lots).
Medium (50–120 cm) A.R. Penck paintings typically sell for $22,009–$55,092 (the middle half of 93 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 | 392 | $888†‡ | $267,825 | 86.5% | 2026-05-29 |
| Paintings | 164 | $37,398†‡ | $482,480 | 93.9% | 2026-06-10 |
| Works on Paper | 130 | $4,675†‡ | $63,607 | 87.7% | 2026-07-29 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 37 | $12,109† | $214,257 | 94.6% | 2026-06-09 |
| Photography | 3 | $273† | $360† | — | 2019-10-26 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 38 | $183,379† | $482,480 | — | 2026-10-21 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
A.R. Penck's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (392 lots) median $888 with 86.5% sell-through. Paintings (164 lots) median $37,398, record $482,480. A typical A.R. Penck painting sells for around 42× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 38 lots) the median is $183,379.
Price by size
Prints & Editions
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 73 | $334–$908†‡ | $653†‡ | $3,375 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 220 | $520–$1,287†‡ | $908†‡ | $9,757 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 40 | $719–$2,809†‡ | $1,469†‡ | $267,825 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Paintings
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 17 | $3,010–$8,851† | $4,148† | $30,273 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 93 | $22,009–$55,092†‡ | $35,213†‡ | $324,300 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 40 | $52,431–$234,388†‡ | $119,714†‡ | $482,480 |
† 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) | 65 | $1,362–$7,958†‡ | $3,178†‡ | $63,607 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 41 | $3,463–$15,136† | $9,003† | $32,943 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Sculpture & Installation
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 21 | $4,751–$12,866† | $9,082† | $44,212 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 8 | $11,922–$50,951 | $24,816 | $214,257 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 5 | $42,382–$79,417 | $51,773 | $91,022 |
† 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 | 2017 | $482,480 |
| Paintings | 2016 | $399,656 |
| Prints & Editions | 2022 | $267,825 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2021 | $214,257 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2022 | $114,949 |
| Works on Paper | 2020 | $63,607 |
| Works on Paper | 2020 | $60,570 |
| Prints & Editions | 2021 | $39,355 |
The highest recorded result in each medium. See the full sale history on OpeningBid.
Frequently asked questions
What is a A.R. Penck worth?
Across 720 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a A.R. Penck work is $1,823. The median A.R. Penck print sells for $888 across 339 lots. The median A.R. Penck painting sells for $37,398 across 154 lots. The median A.R. Penck work on paper sells for $4,675 across 114 lots. Medium (50–120 cm) A.R. Penck prints typically sell for $520–$1,287 (the middle half of 220 sold lots). Medium (50–120 cm) A.R. Penck paintings typically sell for $22,009–$55,092 (the middle half of 93 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 A.R. Penck print?
Based on 339 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a A.R. Penck print is $888. 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 A.R. Penck's most expensive print?
The highest price recorded at auction for a A.R. Penck print is $267,825.
What is the average price of a A.R. Penck painting?
Based on 154 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a A.R. Penck painting is $37,398. 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 A.R. Penck's most expensive painting?
The highest price recorded at auction for a A.R. Penck painting is $482,480.
What is the average price of a A.R. Penck work on paper?
Based on 114 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a A.R. Penck work on paper is $4,675. 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 A.R. Penck's most expensive work on paper?
The highest price recorded at auction for a A.R. Penck work on paper is $63,607.
What is the average price of a medium A.R. Penck print?
Based on 220 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium A.R. Penck print (medium (50–120 cm)) is $908, 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 medium A.R. Penck painting?
Based on 93 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium A.R. Penck painting (medium (50–120 cm)) is $35,213, 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 A.R. Penck's auction record?
A.R. Penck's auction record is $482,480, set in 2017.
See the full A.R. Penck record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
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