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

# Bernard Buffet (1928–1999)

## What is Bernard Buffet’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 3,716 auction results for Bernard Buffet at 156 houses since 1988. Over the last 24 months the median price was $19,957 including buyer’s premium (middle half $829–$105,763, n=237). The auction record is $4,950,000 for Deux clowns, saxophone (2014, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Deux clowns, saxophone, 1989 | Oil paint | $4,950,000 | Christie's | Apr 2014 |
| 2 | Clown aux tasses à café, 1996 | Oil paint | $4,560,000 | Christie's | Sep 2019 |
| 3 | Les clowns musiciens, le saxophoniste, 1991 | Oil paint | $2,111,252 | Christie's | Dec 2021 |
| 4 | Emile, 1966 | Pencil | $1,800,000 | Christie's | Oct 2016 |
| 5 | L’Eglise jaune, 1990 | Oil paint | $1,764,000 | Christie's | Sep 2023 |
| 6 | Les clowns musiciens, le saxophoniste, 1991 | Oil paint | $1,502,333 | Christie's | Jun 2016 |
| 7 | La Tour Eiffel et les liliums, 1988 | Oil on canvas | $1,260,000 | Sotheby's | Nov 2022 |
| 8 | Deux clowns trompette, 1989 | Huile sur toile | $1,172,030 | Artcurial | Dec 2020 |
| 9 | Les pavots, 1928 | Oil paint | $1,014,000 | Christie's | Oct 2014 |
| 10 | Le Cirque – Le jongleur, 1955 | Oil paint | $987,776 | Sotheby's | Nov 2024 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 869 | $99,211 |
| Works on paper | 135 | $31,500 |
| Prints | 1,127 | $1,302 |
| Other | 436 | $887 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 301 | $138,254 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 1,717 | $2,115 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 295 | $1,551 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 3,716 results from 156 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Bernard Buffet is a French artist with 4,683 auction lots recorded since 1988, median price $1,840. 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 Bernard Buffet sold in 2026 for $286,541, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

**25 Bernard Buffet works are coming to auction** (as of 2026-11-02).

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

## What is a Bernard Buffet work worth?

Across 3,658 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Bernard Buffet work is $1,840.

The median Bernard Buffet print sells for $1,066 across 2,139 lots.

The median Bernard Buffet painting sells for $97,140 across 973 lots.

The median Bernard Buffet work on paper sells for $29,424 across 247 lots.

Medium (50–120 cm) Bernard Buffet prints typically sell for $663–$1,805 (the middle half of 1,610 sold lots).

Medium (50–120 cm) Bernard Buffet paintings typically sell for $62,500–$127,439 (the middle half of 492 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 | 2,470 | $1,066†‡ | $40,402 | 86.6% | 2026-10-21 |
| Paintings | 1,057 | $97,140†‡ | $5M | 92.1% | 2026-10-16 |
| Works on Paper | 274 | $29,424†‡ | $1.8M | 90.1% | 2026-10-16 |
| Photography | 7 | $546† | $4,291† | 42.9% | 2026-02-18 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 518 | $162,115†‡ | $5M | — | 2026-10-23 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

Bernard Buffet's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (2,470 lots) median $1,066 with 86.6% sell-through. Paintings (1,057 lots) median $97,140, record $4,950,000. A typical Bernard Buffet painting sells for around 91× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 518 lots) the median is $162,115.

## Price by size

### Prints & Editions

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 293 | $444–$1,227†‡ | $719†‡ | $40,358 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 1,610 | $663–$1,805†‡ | $1,086†‡ | $40,402 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 26 | $1,320–$5,500†‡ | $2,440†‡ | $27,442‡ |

† 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) | 81 | $26,822–$63,500†‡ | $43,250†‡ | $197,000 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 492 | $62,500–$127,439†‡ | $87,223†‡ | $4.6M |
| large (over 120 cm) | 296 | $96,836–$260,295†‡ | $144,239†‡ | $5M |

† 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) | 39 | $3,741–$14,020†‡ | $5,762†‡ | $75,600 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 185 | $18,710–$55,615†‡ | $37,000†‡ | $1.8M |

† 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 | 2014 | $5M |
| Paintings | 2019 | $4.6M |
| Works on Paper | 2016 | $1.8M |
| Works on Paper | 2024 | $395,677 |
| Prints & Editions | 2007 | $40,402 |
| Prints & Editions | 2016 | $40,358 |
| Photography | 2026 | $4,291† |
| Photography | 2026 | $546 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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 Bernard Buffet worth?

Across 3,658 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Bernard Buffet work is $1,840. The median Bernard Buffet print sells for $1,066 across 2,139 lots. The median Bernard Buffet painting sells for $97,140 across 973 lots. The median Bernard Buffet work on paper sells for $29,424 across 247 lots. Medium (50–120 cm) Bernard Buffet prints typically sell for $663–$1,805 (the middle half of 1,610 sold lots). Medium (50–120 cm) Bernard Buffet paintings typically sell for $62,500–$127,439 (the middle half of 492 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 Bernard Buffet print?

Based on 2,139 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Bernard Buffet print is $1,066. 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 Bernard Buffet's most expensive print?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Bernard Buffet print is $40,402.

### What is the average price of a Bernard Buffet painting?

Based on 973 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Bernard Buffet painting is $97,140. 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 Bernard Buffet's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Bernard Buffet painting is $4,950,000.

### What is the average price of a Bernard Buffet work on paper?

Based on 247 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Bernard Buffet work on paper is $29,424. 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 Bernard Buffet's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Bernard Buffet work on paper is $1,800,000.

### What is the average price of a medium Bernard Buffet print?

Based on 1,610 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Bernard Buffet print (medium (50–120 cm)) is $1,086, 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 Bernard Buffet painting?

Based on 492 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Bernard Buffet painting (medium (50–120 cm)) is $87,223, 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 Bernard Buffet's auction record?

Bernard Buffet's auction record is $4,950,000, set in 2014.

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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, “Bernard Buffet auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/bernard-buffet (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.