> Source: https://www.openingbid.art/artist/ben · updated 2026-11-02

# Ben (1935–2024)

## What is Ben’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 250 auction results for Ben at 31 houses since 1998. Over the last 24 months the median price was $6,849 including buyer’s premium (middle half $1,107–$11,537, n=24). The auction record is $63,014 for La Vie (2013, Sotheby's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

**Top auction records: paintings, drawings & sculpture**

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | La Vie | Oil, paper collage and nails on wood | $63,014 | Sotheby's | Jun 2013 |
| 2 | Sans titre (huile sur papier dans un cadre d'artiste), 1959 | Huile sur papier dans un cadre d'artiste | $44,314 | Christie's | Dec 2017 |
| 3 | Geste : Me regarder dans un miroir, (Geste 27), 1935 | Acrylique et photographie sur panneau de bois, textes descriptifs et une photographie Sig | $42,275 | PIASA | Jun 2026 |
| 4 | Rire, 2015 | Acrylique sur toile | $37,905 | Cornette de Saint Cyr (Bonhams) | Dec 2025 |
| 5 | SAINTE RITA PROTEGEZ NICE, 1994 | Technique mixte, petits personnages en bois et plastique sur char | $31,299 | Artcurial | Apr 2007 |
| 6 | Le temps plus fort que l'art, 1987 | Acrylique sur toile | $22,890 | Cornette de Saint Cyr (Bonhams) | Oct 2015 |
| 7 | Trop de culture !! culturelle, 1985 | Acrilico su pavatex | $21,372 | Area Casa d'Aste | Nov 2023 |
| 8 | Geste: Tout signer, 1973 | Acrylic and two black and white photographs on panel, in artist's frame | $21,188 | Christie's | Nov 2008 |
| 9 | DIFFICILE D'ETRE UN AUTRE QUE MOI, 2003 | Acrylique sur toile | $20,591 | Artcurial | Apr 2007 |
| 10 | L'Amour c'est de la Tendresse (Love is Tenderness), 2002 | Acrylic paint | $18,465 | Christie's | Nov 2018 |


**Median price by medium (last 24 months, n ≥ 5)**

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 69 | $8,304 |
| Other | 64 | $2,643 |
| Works on paper | 5 | $1,182 |
| Prints | 32 | $1,071 |

**Median price by size (last 24 months, n ≥ 5)**

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 6 | $14,241 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 80 | $6,099 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 52 | $1,910 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 250 results from 31 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Ben is a French artist with 351 auction lots recorded since 1998, median price $2,512. 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 sold in 2026 for $9,431, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

**3 Ben works are coming to auction** (as of 2026-11-02).

- [Ben on OpeningBid](https://www.openingbid.art/artist/ben?ref=kg:ben) — follow free in the OpeningBid app for sale alerts.

## What is a Ben work worth?

Across 243 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Ben work is $2,512.

The median Ben painting sells for $7,416 across 83 lots.

The median Ben print sells for $703 across 67 lots.

The median Ben photograph sells for $2,930 across 23 lots.

Medium (50–120 cm) Ben paintings typically sell for $6,119–$12,780 (the middle half of 45 sold lots).

Medium (50–120 cm) Ben prints typically sell for $285–$1,455 (the middle half of 32 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 | 74 | $703†‡ | $31,299 | 90.5% | 2026-06-30 |
| Paintings | 93 | $7,416†‡ | $44,314 | 89.2% | 2026-07-02 |
| Works on Paper | 26 | $3,167† | $63,014 | 76.9% | 2026-07-08 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 4 | $3,840† | $9,141† | 75% | 2019-01-20 |
| Photography | 34 | $2,930 | $42,275 | 67.6% | 2026-06-30 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 13 | $21,372 | $63,014 | — | 2026-07-02 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.

Ben's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (74 lots) median $703 with 90.5% sell-through. Paintings (93 lots) median $7,416, record $44,314. A typical Ben painting sells for around 11× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 13 lots) the median is $21,372.

## Price by size

### Prints & Editions

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 22 | $229–$793†‡ | $344†‡ | $2,080† |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 32 | $285–$1,455†‡ | $892†‡ | $1,987 |

† 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) | 15 | $4,779–$7,971† | $5,937† | $12,517 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 45 | $6,119–$12,780†‡ | $8,411†‡ | $44,314 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 6 | $7,673–$21,783†‡ | $14,325†‡ | $37,905 |

† 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) | 9 | $285–$3,283† | $1,182† | $3,943 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 8 | $2,981–$5,880† | $4,068† | $63,014 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

### Photography

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 18 | $1,897–$3,259 | $2,512 | $5,234 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 5 | $4,396–$21,188 | $5,862 | $42,275 |

Size is the work's longest edge. Cells appear only with at least 5 sold lots.

## Notable results

| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Works on Paper | 2013 | $63,014 |
| Paintings | 2017 | $44,314 |
| Photography | 2026 | $42,275 |
| Paintings | 2025 | $37,905 |
| Prints & Editions | 2007 | $31,299 |
| Photography | 2008 | $21,188 |
| Prints & Editions | 2007 | $20,591 |
| Works on Paper | 2017 | $11,962 |

The highest recorded result in each medium. The full sale history is in the OpeningBid app (free sign-up).

## Frequently asked questions

### What is a Ben worth?

Across 243 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Ben work is $2,512. The median Ben painting sells for $7,416 across 83 lots. The median Ben print sells for $703 across 67 lots. The median Ben photograph sells for $2,930 across 23 lots. Medium (50–120 cm) Ben paintings typically sell for $6,119–$12,780 (the middle half of 45 sold lots). Medium (50–120 cm) Ben prints typically sell for $285–$1,455 (the middle half of 32 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 painting?

Based on 83 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Ben painting is $7,416. 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's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Ben painting is $44,314.

### What is the average price of a Ben print?

Based on 67 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Ben print is $703. 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's most expensive print?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Ben print is $31,299.

### What is the average price of a Ben photograph?

Based on 23 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Ben photograph is $2,930.

### What is Ben's most expensive photograph?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Ben photograph is $42,275.

### What is the average price of a medium Ben painting?

Based on 45 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Ben painting (medium (50–120 cm)) is $8,411, 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 print?

Based on 32 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Ben print (medium (50–120 cm)) is $892, 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's auction record?

Ben's auction record is $63,014, set in 2013.

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Data last updated 2026-11-02. OpeningBid tracks 15,390,829 auction lots from 577 auction houses, refreshed nightly.

Cite this page as: OpeningBid, “Ben auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/ben (updated 2026-11-02).

Historical auction data, not investment advice. Prices are premium-inclusive USD where the buyer's premium is recorded. Figures marked † are hammer prices (buyer's premium not included); ‡ marks a price whose basis is not yet verified. Non-USD results are converted at the sale month's rate.