> Source: https://www.openingbid.art/artist/bernhard-ruth · updated 2026-11-01

# 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.

## 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. The full sale history is in the OpeningBid app (free sign-up).

## 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.

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Data last updated 2026-11-01. OpeningBid tracks 15,222,099 auction lots from 571 auction houses, refreshed nightly.

Cite this page as: OpeningBid, “Ruth Bernhard auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/bernhard-ruth (updated 2026-11-01).

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.