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

# Bert Stern (1929–2013)

## What is Bert Stern’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 523 auction results for Bert Stern at 75 houses since 1992. Over the last 24 months the median price was $1,403 including buyer’s premium (middle half $887–$2,871, n=63). The auction record is $42,000 for Marilyn Monroe: The Last Sitting (2024, Sotheby's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arabian Marilyn, 1929 | Gelatin silver print, printed later | $30,763 | Christie's | Oct 2014 |
| 2 | Sans titre (Marilyn se tenant la joue), 1929 | Gelatin silver print, printed later | $25,906 | Christie's | Oct 2014 |
| 3 | Marilyn Monroe with orange roses, 1962 | Print | $24,068 | Koller Auktionen | Mar 2016 |

**Top auction records: prints & editions**

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marilyn Monroe: The Last Sitting, 1962 | 10 chromogenic prints | $42,000 | Sotheby's | Oct 2024 |
| 2 | The Marilyn Portfolio, 2008-2009 | Photographs | $28,600 | Swann Auction Galleries | Feb 2018 |
| 3 | Marilyn Monroe, 1962 | Cartes-de-visite | $27,500 | Phillips | Apr 2014 |
| 4 | Marilyn Monroe: The Last Sitting, 1978 | New York: Shorewood Atelier, 1978. Ten chromogenic prints | $27,500 | Phillips | Oct 2013 |
| 5 | Marilyn Monroe-The Last Sitting, 1930 | Chromogenic print | $27,450 | Bonhams | May 2010 |
| 6 | Marilyn Monroe. The Last Sitting, 1962 | Jeweils: C-Print auf Kodak Papier | $27,246 | Van Ham Kunstauktionen | Jun 2022 |
| 7 | Marilyn Monroe: The Last Sitting, A Portfolio of Ten Photographs, 1962 | 10 chromogenic prints | $25,600 | Sotheby's | Oct 2026 |

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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Works on paper | 13 | $4,199 |
| Photographs | 243 | $3,263 |
| Other | 76 | $2,681 |
| Prints | 20 | $886 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 13 | $7,620 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 117 | $3,640 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 183 | $2,601 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 523 results from 75 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Bert Stern is an American artist with 824 auction lots recorded since 1992, median price $2,674. 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 Bert Stern sold in 2026 for $25,600, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Bert Stern work worth?

Across 511 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Bert Stern work is $2,674.

The median Bert Stern photograph sells for $2,836 across 364 lots.

The median Bert Stern print sells for $2,477 across 83 lots.

The median Bert Stern work on paper sells for $2,391 across 15 lots.

Small (under 50 cm) Bert Stern photographs typically sell for $1,402–$4,096 (the middle half of 208 sold lots).

Medium (50–120 cm) Bert Stern photographs typically sell for $1,975–$6,934 (the middle half of 108 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 | 103 | $2,477†‡ | $24,068 | 80.6% | 2026-03-31 |
| Paintings | 1 | — | — | 0% | — |
| Works on Paper | 17 | $2,391† | $15,539 | 88.2% | 2022-12-07 |
| Photography | 459 | $2,836†‡ | $42,000 | 79.3% | 2026-10-08 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 26 | $23,604‡ | $42,000 | — | 2026-10-09 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

‡ 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) | 35 | $1,509–$4,008†‡ | $2,750†‡ | $18,750 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 35 | $912–$4,732†‡ | $1,644†‡ | $24,068 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 7 | $2,196–$6,005‡ | $3,416‡ | $13,628 |

† 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) | 10 | $2,391–$2,570 | $2,391 | $15,539 |

### Photography

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 208 | $1,402–$4,096†‡ | $2,199†‡ | $42,000 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 108 | $1,975–$6,934†‡ | $3,725†‡ | $30,763 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 11 | $6,858–$12,850†‡ | $10,393†‡ | $27,500 |

† 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Photography | 2024 | $42,000 |
| Photography | 2014 | $30,763 |
| Prints & Editions | 2016 | $24,068 |
| Prints & Editions | 2010 | $18,750 |
| Works on Paper | 2007 | $15,539 |
| Works on Paper | 2006 | $3,916 |

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 Bert Stern worth?

Across 511 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Bert Stern work is $2,674. The median Bert Stern photograph sells for $2,836 across 364 lots. The median Bert Stern print sells for $2,477 across 83 lots. The median Bert Stern work on paper sells for $2,391 across 15 lots. Small (under 50 cm) Bert Stern photographs typically sell for $1,402–$4,096 (the middle half of 208 sold lots). Medium (50–120 cm) Bert Stern photographs typically sell for $1,975–$6,934 (the middle half of 108 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 Bert Stern photograph?

Based on 364 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Bert Stern photograph is $2,836. 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 Bert Stern's most expensive photograph?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Bert Stern photograph is $42,000.

### What is the average price of a Bert Stern print?

Based on 83 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Bert Stern print is $2,477. 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 Bert Stern's most expensive print?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Bert Stern print is $24,068.

### What is the average price of a Bert Stern work on paper?

Based on 15 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Bert Stern work on paper is $2,391. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is Bert Stern's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Bert Stern work on paper is $15,539.

### What is the average price of a small Bert Stern photograph?

Based on 208 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Bert Stern photograph (small (under 50 cm)) is $2,199, 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 Bert Stern photograph?

Based on 108 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Bert Stern photograph (medium (50–120 cm)) is $3,725, 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 Bert Stern's auction record?

Bert Stern's auction record is $42,000, set in 2024.

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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, “Bert Stern auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/bert-stern (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.