Adolf Wölfli (1864–1930)
What is Adolf Wölfli’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 55 auction results for Adolf Wölfli at 12 houses since 2003. Over the last 24 months the median price was $50,800 including buyer’s premium (middle half $29,893–$95,289, n=7). The auction record is $226,047 for China-Engel (2017, Koller Auktionen). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | China-Engel, 1916 | Pencil on paper | $226,047 | Koller Auktionen | Jun 2017 |
| 2 | Der Heiligen=Rein,=Skt.Adolf=Thurm., 1919 | Pencil | $123,299 | Koller Auktionen | Dec 2017 |
| 3 | DER GROSSE SKT. ADOLF-STARN (THE GREAT ST. ADOLF-STAR), DOUBLE-SIDED, 1923 | Graphite | $119,700 | Christie's | Jan 2025 |
| 4 | Genanttes Heimwesen, Probsten=Loch Blatt aus "Heft N° 13", 1915 | Pencil | $118,562 | Galerie Kornfeld Auktionen Bern | Sep 2020 |
| 5 | Männ'r Bund Hanging Gardens of Semiramis (double composition), 1905 | Pencil on thin wove paper | $111,171 | Galerie Kornfeld Auktionen Bern | Sep 2025 |
| 6 | Gurten, =Skt. Adolf-Heimer-Marsch, 1916 | Pencil drawing on wove paper | $79,408 | Galerie Kornfeld Auktionen Bern | Sep 2025 |
| 7 | Krohnen=Gottes=Acker, 1919 | Pencil and coloured pencils | $68,445 | Galerie Kornfeld Auktionen Bern | Sep 2021 |
| 8 | Untitled (colored pencil on paper), 1924 | Colored pencil on paper | $63,500 | Phillips | May 2023 |
| 9 | Der harzformige, nitnixa und dohrn = Roosali = Chnantz, 1925 | Pencil on paper | $52,479 | Tajan | Jan 2018 |
| 10 | Vile Milliarden Stund (Double-Sided), 1920 | Colored pencil and graphite on paper | $50,800 | Christie's | Feb 2026 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Other | 8 | $30,880 |
| Works on paper | 29 | $29,363 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 14 | $51,639 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 21 | $22,269 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 55 results from 12 houses · How we compute these figures
Adolf Wölfli is a Swiss artist with 69 auction lots recorded since 2003, median price $26,435. 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 Adolf Wölfli sold in 2026 for $30,480, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
See the full Adolf Wölfli record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Adolf Wölfli on OpeningBid →What is a Adolf Wölfli work worth?
Across 54 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Adolf Wölfli work is $26,435.
The median Adolf Wölfli work on paper sells for $25,625 across 51 lots.
The median Adolf Wölfli print sells for $325 across 1 lots.
Small (under 50 cm) Adolf Wölfli work on papers typically sell for $14,208–$25,135 (the middle half of 31 sold lots).
Medium (50–120 cm) Adolf Wölfli work on papers typically sell for $38,770–$108,043 (the middle half of 20 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 | 1 | $325† | $325† | — | 2024-12-17 |
| Works on Paper | 60 | $25,625†‡ | $226,047‡ | 85% | 2026-02-27 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 7 | $119,700‡ | $226,047‡ | — | 2025-09-11 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Price by size
Works on Paper
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 31 | $14,208–$25,135†‡ | $19,652†‡ | $43,646 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 20 | $38,770–$108,043†‡ | $51,639†‡ | $226,047‡ |
† 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 | 2017 | $226,047‡ |
| Works on Paper | 2017 | $226,047 |
| Prints & Editions | 2024 | $325† |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
The highest recorded result in each medium. See the full sale history on OpeningBid.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Adolf Wölfli worth?
Across 54 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Adolf Wölfli work is $26,435. The median Adolf Wölfli work on paper sells for $25,625 across 51 lots. The median Adolf Wölfli print sells for $325 across 1 lots. Small (under 50 cm) Adolf Wölfli work on papers typically sell for $14,208–$25,135 (the middle half of 31 sold lots). Medium (50–120 cm) Adolf Wölfli work on papers typically sell for $38,770–$108,043 (the middle half of 20 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 Adolf Wölfli work on paper?
Based on 51 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Adolf Wölfli work on paper is $25,625. 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 Adolf Wölfli's most expensive work on paper?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Adolf Wölfli work on paper is $226,047. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
What is the average price of a small Adolf Wölfli work on paper?
Based on 31 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Adolf Wölfli work on paper (small (under 50 cm)) is $19,652, 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 Adolf Wölfli work on paper?
Based on 20 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Adolf Wölfli work on paper (medium (50–120 cm)) is $51,639, 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 Adolf Wölfli's auction record?
Adolf Wölfli's auction record is $226,047, set in 2017. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
See the full Adolf Wölfli record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Adolf Wölfli on OpeningBid →