> Source: https://www.openingbid.art/artist/bernd-and-hilla-becher · updated 2026-11-02

# Becher, Bernd and Hilla (1931–2007)

## What is Becher, Bernd and Hilla’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 186 auction results for Becher, Bernd and Hilla at 12 houses since 1998. Over the last 24 months the median price was $16,670 including buyer’s premium (middle half $3,585–$48,260, n=28). The auction record is $356,519 for Water Towers (2017, Phillips). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Water Towers, 1965 | Cartes-de-visite | $356,519 | Phillips | Mar 2017 |
| 2 | Winding Towers, France, Belgium, Germany | — | $289,000 | Sotheby's | May 2008 |
| 3 | Winding Towers, 1963-1982 | Cartes-de-visite | $240,878 | Phillips | Jun 2024 |
| 4 | Gas Tanks (Spherical), 1988 | Black and white photographs, in 9 parts | $199,146 | Phillips | Oct 2024 |
| 5 | New York Water Towers, 1931 | Cartes-de-visite | $187,500 | Christie's | Nov 2019 |
| 6 | Water Towers, 1997 | Cartes-de-visite | $162,500 | Phillips | Apr 2019 |
| 7 | Water Towers H, 1988 | Vintage gelatin silver prints, in 9 parts | $156,250 | Phillips | Nov 2016 |
| 8 | Winding Towers, 1931 | Silver | $151,575 | Bonhams | May 2022 |
| 9 | Water Towers: (Kugel unten Geschlossen), 2010 | Nine gelatin silver prints, printed and assembled no later than 2010 | $151,200 | Phillips | Oct 2022 |

**Top auction records: prints & editions**

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Watertowers, 1988 | Black and white photographs, in 21 parts | $353,033 | Phillips | Oct 2019 |

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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Photographs | 138 | $19,576 |
| Other | 12 | $14,325 |
| Prints | 15 | $6,875 |
| Works on paper | 6 | $4,756 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Small (under 50 cm) | 101 | $20,320 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 57 | $13,970 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 186 results from 12 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Becher, Bernd and Hilla is a German artist with 219 auction lots recorded since 1998, median price $14,237. Some sold prices are not yet verified as premium-inclusive or hammer, and are marked on this page.

A work by Becher, Bernd and Hilla sold in 2026 for $64,000, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

**1 Becher, Bernd and Hilla work is coming to auction** (as of 2026-11-02).

- [Becher, Bernd and Hilla on OpeningBid](https://www.openingbid.art/artist/bernd-and-hilla-becher?ref=kg:bernd-and-hilla-becher) — follow free in the OpeningBid app for sale alerts.

## What is a Becher, Bernd and Hilla work worth?

Across 186 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Becher, Bernd and Hilla work is $14,237.

The median Becher, Bernd and Hilla photograph sells for $18,750 across 140 lots.

The median Becher, Bernd and Hilla print sells for $5,200 across 28 lots.

Small (under 50 cm) Becher, Bernd and Hilla photographs typically sell for $7,457–$69,394 (the middle half of 86 sold lots).

Medium (50–120 cm) Becher, Bernd and Hilla photographs typically sell for $12,472–$22,500 (the middle half of 46 sold lots).

Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

## Price breakdown by category

| Category | Lots tracked | Median price | Record price | Sell-through | Last sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prints & Editions | 32 | $5,200‡ | $151,575 | 87.5% | 2026-02-07 |
| Photography | 161 | $18,750‡ | $356,519 | 87% | 2026-10-22 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 22 | $140,800 | $356,519 | — | 2026-04-11 |

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

## Price by size

### Prints & Editions

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 13 | $2,750–$21,250 | $8,890 | $151,575 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 14 | $842–$6,141‡ | $4,116‡ | $9,541 |

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

### Photography

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 86 | $7,457–$69,394‡ | $22,072‡ | $353,033 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 46 | $12,472–$22,500 | $16,940 | $72,500 |

‡ 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Photography | 2017 | $356,519 |
| Photography | 2019 | $353,033 |
| Prints & Editions | 2022 | $151,575 |
| Prints & Editions | 2021 | $30,240 |

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 Becher, Bernd and Hilla worth?

Across 186 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Becher, Bernd and Hilla work is $14,237. The median Becher, Bernd and Hilla photograph sells for $18,750 across 140 lots. The median Becher, Bernd and Hilla print sells for $5,200 across 28 lots. Small (under 50 cm) Becher, Bernd and Hilla photographs typically sell for $7,457–$69,394 (the middle half of 86 sold lots). Medium (50–120 cm) Becher, Bernd and Hilla photographs typically sell for $12,472–$22,500 (the middle half of 46 sold lots). Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is the average price of a Becher, Bernd and Hilla photograph?

Based on 140 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Becher, Bernd and Hilla photograph is $18,750. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Becher, Bernd and Hilla's most expensive photograph?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Becher, Bernd and Hilla photograph is $356,519.

### What is the average price of a Becher, Bernd and Hilla print?

Based on 28 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Becher, Bernd and Hilla print is $5,200. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Becher, Bernd and Hilla's most expensive print?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Becher, Bernd and Hilla print is $151,575.

### What is the average price of a small Becher, Bernd and Hilla photograph?

Based on 86 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Becher, Bernd and Hilla photograph (small (under 50 cm)) is $22,072, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is the average price of a medium Becher, Bernd and Hilla photograph?

Based on 46 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Becher, Bernd and Hilla photograph (medium (50–120 cm)) is $16,940, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

### What is Becher, Bernd and Hilla's auction record?

Becher, Bernd and Hilla's auction record is $356,519, set in 2017.

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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, “Becher, Bernd and Hilla auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/bernd-and-hilla-becher (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.