Balthus (1908–2001)
What is Balthus’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 202 auction results for Balthus at 36 houses since 1993. Over the last 24 months the median price was $11,632 including buyer’s premium (middle half $2,237–$62,543, n=14). The auction record is $19,002,500 for Thérèse sur une banquette (2019, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Thérèse sur une banquette, 1939 | Oil paint | $19,002,500 | Christie's | May 2019 |
| 2 | La Patience, 1943 | Oil paint | $14,697,000 | Sotheby's | Nov 2023 |
| 3 | Jeune fille à la fenêtre, 1955 | Oil paint | $10,122,500 | Christie's | May 2022 |
| 4 | Les trois soeurs, 1963-1964 | Oil paint | $6,736,000 | Christie's | Nov 2006 |
| 5 | Les trois soeurs, 1963-1964 | Oil paint | $5,468,441 | Christie's | Jun 2014 |
| 6 | Japonaise au miroir noir, 1967 | Tempera | $4,110,000 | Christie's | Nov 2021 |
| 7 | Les trois soeurs, 1964 | Oil paint | $3,900,000 | Christie's | May 2022 |
| 8 | Jeune fille en vert et rouge (Le Chandelier), 1944 | Oil on canvas | $3,377,500 | Christie's | May 2025 |
| 9 | Le lever, 1908 | Painting | $3,184,831 | Christie's | Feb 2018 |
| 10 | Nu au mirroir | — | $2,392,000 | Sotheby's | May 2007 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 29 | $329,191 |
| Other | 42 | $37,486 |
| Works on paper | 63 | $11,875 |
| Prints | 20 | $568 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 8 | $4,789,220 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 65 | $64,065 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 74 | $9,830 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 202 results from 36 houses · How we compute these figures
Balthus is a French artist with 284 auction lots recorded since 1990, median price $11,495. 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 Balthus sold in 2026 for $673,833, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
4 Balthus works are coming to auction (as of 2026-11-02). Follow Balthus free on OpeningBid for sale alerts.
See the full Balthus record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Balthus on OpeningBid →What is a Balthus work worth?
Across 199 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Balthus work is $11,495.
The median Balthus work on paper sells for $15,278 across 105 lots.
The median Balthus print sells for $751 across 47 lots.
The median Balthus painting sells for $328,395 across 33 lots.
Small (under 50 cm) Balthus work on papers typically sell for $6,527–$22,747 (the middle half of 67 sold lots).
Medium (50–120 cm) Balthus work on papers typically sell for $19,504–$158,527 (the middle half of 36 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 | 65 | $751†‡ | $7,422 | 72.3% | 2026-04-30 |
| Paintings | 39 | $328,395 | $19M | 84.6% | 2026-02-11 |
| Works on Paper | 144 | $15,278†‡ | $1.2M | 72.9% | 2026-09-12 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 1 | $39,745 | $39,745 | — | 2012-02-08 |
| Photography | 4 | $6,029 | $10,000 | 75% | 2025-06-12 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 41 | $399,000 | $19M | — | 2026-06-24 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Balthus's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (65 lots) median $751 with 72.3% sell-through. Paintings (39 lots) median $328,395, record $19,002,500. A typical Balthus painting sells for around 437× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 41 lots) the median is $399,000.
Price by size
Prints & Editions
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 20 | $304–$1,335†‡ | $506†‡ | $7,422 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 21 | $550–$1,906† | $973† | $5,189 |
† 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 22 | $133,177–$575,759 | $252,845 | $19M |
| large (over 120 cm) | 7 | $4M–$8.4M | $5.5M | $14.7M |
Works on Paper
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 67 | $6,527–$22,747†‡ | $11,408†‡ | $266,932 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 36 | $19,504–$158,527‡ | $38,493‡ | $1.2M |
† 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 2019 | $19M |
| Paintings | 2023 | $14.7M |
| Works on Paper | 2022 | $1.2M |
| Works on Paper | 2009 | $902,500 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2012 | $39,745 |
| Photography | 2018 | $10,000 |
| Prints & Editions | 2007 | $7,422 |
| Photography | 2025 | $6,029 |
The highest recorded result in each medium. See the full sale history on OpeningBid.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Balthus worth?
Across 199 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Balthus work is $11,495. The median Balthus work on paper sells for $15,278 across 105 lots. The median Balthus print sells for $751 across 47 lots. The median Balthus painting sells for $328,395 across 33 lots. Small (under 50 cm) Balthus work on papers typically sell for $6,527–$22,747 (the middle half of 67 sold lots). Medium (50–120 cm) Balthus work on papers typically sell for $19,504–$158,527 (the middle half of 36 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 Balthus work on paper?
Based on 105 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Balthus work on paper is $15,278. 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 Balthus's most expensive work on paper?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Balthus work on paper is $1,195,817.
What is the average price of a Balthus print?
Based on 47 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Balthus print is $751. 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 Balthus's most expensive print?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Balthus print is $7,422.
What is the average price of a Balthus painting?
Based on 33 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Balthus painting is $328,395.
What is Balthus's most expensive painting?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Balthus painting is $19,002,500.
What is the average price of a small Balthus work on paper?
Based on 67 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Balthus work on paper (small (under 50 cm)) is $11,408, 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 Balthus work on paper?
Based on 36 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Balthus work on paper (medium (50–120 cm)) is $38,493, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).
What is Balthus's auction record?
Balthus's auction record is $19,002,500, set in 2019.
See the full Balthus record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Balthus on OpeningBid →