Ruth Bernhard (1905–2006)
Ruth Bernhard is an American artist with 93 auction lots recorded since 1991, median price $2,338. Some sold prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium; they are marked on this page.
A work by Ruth Bernhard sold in 2020 for $5,500, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
See the full Ruth Bernhard record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Ruth Bernhard on OpeningBid →What is a Ruth Bernhard work worth?
Across 85 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Ruth Bernhard work is $2,338.
The median Ruth Bernhard photograph sells for $3,416 across 62 lots.
The median Ruth Bernhard print sells for $7 across 10 lots.
Small (under 50 cm) Ruth Bernhard photographs typically sell for $2,530–$5,290 (the middle half of 45 sold lots).
Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.
Price breakdown by category
| Category | Lots tracked | Median price | Record price | Sell-through | Last sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prints & Editions | 11 | $7† | $18† | 90.9% | 2018-09-04 |
| Photography | 66 | $3,416 | $20,440 | 93.9% | 2024-10-31 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 5 | $19,550 | $20,440 | — | 2014-04-03 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.
Price by size
Prints & Editions
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 10 | $5–$10† | $7† | $18† |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.
Photography
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 45 | $2,530–$5,290 | $3,600 | $20,440 |
Size is the work's longest edge. Cells appear only with at least 5 sold lots.
Notable results
| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Photography | 2004 | $20,440 |
| Photography | 2014 | $19,710 |
| Prints & Editions | 2018 | $18† |
| Prints & Editions | 2018 | $12† |
† 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 Ruth Bernhard worth?
Across 85 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Ruth Bernhard work is $2,338. The median Ruth Bernhard photograph sells for $3,416 across 62 lots. The median Ruth Bernhard print sells for $7 across 10 lots. Small (under 50 cm) Ruth Bernhard photographs typically sell for $2,530–$5,290 (the middle half of 45 sold lots). Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.
What is the average price of a Ruth Bernhard photograph?
Based on 62 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Ruth Bernhard photograph is $3,416.
What is Ruth Bernhard's most expensive photograph?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Ruth Bernhard photograph is $20,440.
What is the average price of a Ruth Bernhard print?
Based on 10 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Ruth Bernhard print is $7. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.
What is Ruth Bernhard's most expensive print?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Ruth Bernhard print is $18. That record lot sold for a hammer price of $18 (buyer's premium not included).
What is the average price of a small Ruth Bernhard photograph?
Based on 45 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Ruth Bernhard photograph (small (under 50 cm)) is $3,600, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
What is the average price of a small Ruth Bernhard print?
Based on 10 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Ruth Bernhard print (small (under 50 cm)) is $7, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.
What is Ruth Bernhard's auction record?
Ruth Bernhard's auction record is $20,440, set in 2004.
See the full Ruth Bernhard record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Ruth Bernhard on OpeningBid →