Ben Vautier (1935–2024)
What is Ben Vautier’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 202 auction results for Ben Vautier at 38 houses since 1994. Over the last 24 months the median price was $4,421 including buyer’s premium (middle half $963–$16,532, n=14). The auction record is $45,587 for Boite mystère ne pas ouvrir (2021, Sotheby's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boite mystère ne pas ouvrir, 1962 | Copper | $45,587 | Sotheby's | Feb 2021 |
| 2 | Per cambiare l'arte..., 1975 | Oil paint | $34,074 | Christie's | Apr 2014 |
| 3 | JE DOUTE, 1971 | Acrylic on canvas | $28,200 | Sotheby's | Jun 2020 |
| 4 | Kunst ist zu verkaufen | Acrylic on canvas | $27,005 | Ketterer Kunst | Dec 2009 |
| 5 | 1) TOUT 2) N'IMPORTE QUOI 3) RIEN 4) QUELQUE CHOSE, 1978 | Acrylique sur toile | $23,441 | Cornette de Saint Cyr (Bonhams) | Jun 2025 |
| 6 | Ich signierte alles, 1971 | Öl auf Leinwand | $22,705 | Van Ham Kunstauktionen | Dec 2025 |
| 7 | Pourquoi L'art?, 1990 | Acrylic on canvas | $22,374 | Sotheby's | Jul 2021 |
| 8 | Pour un dominateur, 1991 | Acrylic on canvas | $20,746 | Sotheby's | Apr 2021 |
| 9 | Signature, 1973 | Oil paint | $19,268 | Sotheby's | Apr 2022 |
| 10 | Geste : tracer et signer la ligne d’horizon, 1962 | Painted wood | $18,808 | Sotheby's | Jun 2023 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 41 | $12,500 |
| Other | 25 | $2,640 |
| Prints | 19 | $707 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 14 | $16,727 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 44 | $6,061 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 24 | $3,238 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 202 results from 38 houses · How we compute these figures
Ben Vautier is a French artist with 320 auction lots recorded since 1994, median price $2,523. 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 Ben Vautier sold in 2026 for a hammer price of $3,953 (buyer's premium not included), according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
2 Ben Vautier works are coming to auction (as of 2026-11-02). Follow Ben Vautier free on OpeningBid for sale alerts.
See the full Ben Vautier record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Ben Vautier on OpeningBid →What is a Ben Vautier work worth?
Across 198 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Ben Vautier work is $2,523.
The median Ben Vautier print sells for $492 across 65 lots.
The median Ben Vautier painting sells for $10,274 across 60 lots.
The median Ben Vautier work on paper sells for $941 across 6 lots.
Medium (50–120 cm) Ben Vautier prints typically sell for $290–$1,099 (the middle half of 43 sold lots).
Medium (50–120 cm) Ben Vautier paintings typically sell for $6,197–$12,621 (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 | 70 | $492†‡ | $5,695 | 92.9% | 2026-07-06 |
| Paintings | 61 | $10,274†‡ | $34,074 | — | 2026-01-29 |
| Works on Paper | 10 | $941†‡ | $6,792† | 60% | 2021-12-06 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 9 | $844‡ | $4,174 | — | 2025-02-12 |
| Photography | 4 | $2,578 | $5,040 | 50% | 2021-05-17 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 10 | $26,003‡ | $45,587 | — | 2025-12-03 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Ben Vautier's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (70 lots) median $492 with 92.9% sell-through. Paintings (61 lots) median $10,274, record $34,074. A typical Ben Vautier painting sells for around 21× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 10 lots) the median is $26,003.
Price by size
Prints & Editions
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 10 | $142–$554† | $173† | $1,817 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 43 | $290–$1,099†‡ | $514†‡ | $5,695 |
† 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) | 9 | $5,939–$9,159†‡ | $6,522†‡ | $25,000‡ |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 36 | $6,197–$12,621†‡ | $9,401†‡ | $23,441 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 12 | $12,083–$23,780‡ | $19,512‡ | $34,074 |
† 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) | 5 | $249–$1,429†‡ | $454†‡ | $6,792† |
† 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 6 | $684–$3,310‡ | $767‡ | $4,174 |
‡ 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 | 2014 | $34,074 |
| Paintings | 2020 | $28,200 |
| Works on Paper | 2015 | $6,792† |
| Prints & Editions | 2024 | $5,695 |
| Prints & Editions | 2015 | $5,404 |
| Photography | 2012 | $5,040 |
| Works on Paper | 2017 | $4,870† |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2017 | $4,174 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.
The highest recorded result in each medium. See the full sale history on OpeningBid.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Ben Vautier worth?
Across 198 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Ben Vautier work is $2,523. The median Ben Vautier print sells for $492 across 65 lots. The median Ben Vautier painting sells for $10,274 across 60 lots. The median Ben Vautier work on paper sells for $941 across 6 lots. Medium (50–120 cm) Ben Vautier prints typically sell for $290–$1,099 (the middle half of 43 sold lots). Medium (50–120 cm) Ben Vautier paintings typically sell for $6,197–$12,621 (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 Ben Vautier print?
Based on 65 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Ben Vautier print is $492. 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 Ben Vautier's most expensive print?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Ben Vautier print is $5,695.
What is the average price of a Ben Vautier painting?
Based on 60 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Ben Vautier painting is $10,274. 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 Ben Vautier's most expensive painting?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Ben Vautier painting is $34,074.
What is the average price of a medium Ben Vautier print?
Based on 43 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Ben Vautier print (medium (50–120 cm)) is $514, 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 Ben Vautier painting?
Based on 36 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Ben Vautier painting (medium (50–120 cm)) is $9,401, 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 Ben Vautier's auction record?
Ben Vautier's auction record is $45,587, set in 2021.
See the full Ben Vautier record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Ben Vautier on OpeningBid →