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

# Bettina Rheims (b. 1952)

## What is Bettina Rheims’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 140 auction results for Bettina Rheims at 32 houses since 1991. Over the last 24 months the median price was $1,514 including buyer’s premium (middle half $514–$3,919, n=21). The auction record is $61,556 for 26 Décembre, Paris (2023, Sotheby's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 26 Décembre, Paris, 1991 | C-print mounted on aluminium | $61,556 | Sotheby's | Dec 2023 |
| 2 | Traci Lords Smoking a Cigarette in the 'Valentino Room' of the Alexandria Hotel, Los Angeles, April 1996, 1952 | Chromogenic print | $55,758 | Christie's | Nov 2007 |
| 3 | Madonna Blue in Shiny Blue Underpants, New York, September 1994, 1952 | Chromogenic print | $38,347 | Christie's | Nov 2007 |
| 4 | Claudya Desout avec des Gants, Paris, Octobre 1987, 1987 | Myrrh | $32,500 | Christie's | Sep 2014 |
| 5 | Elizabeth Berkley Stuck in Bamboo Bushes, Los Angeles | Colour photograph | $22,688 | Sotheby's | Jun 2009 |
| 6 | Selected nudes | Cartes-de-visite | $22,500 | Phillips | Apr 2016 |
| 7 | I.N.R.I, 1997 | Chromogenic print | $20,689 | Sotheby's | Nov 2019 |
| 8 | SHARON STONE IV, LOS ANGELES, JULY 1991, 1996 | Cartes-de-visite | $19,305 | Sotheby's | Feb 2020 |
| 9 | Poussin blanc, Paris, 1982 | Tirage argentique encadré | $16,825 | Christie's | Nov 2013 |
| 10 | Sophie Marceau in Lace Bra, Paris, 1990, 1952 | Cartes-de-visite | $16,234 | Christie's | May 2011 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Photographs | 66 | $3,360 |
| Other | 19 | $1,320 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 18 | $12,431 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 31 | $3,351 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 30 | $1,125 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 140 results from 32 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Bettina Rheims is a French artist with 213 auction lots recorded since 1991, median price $2,879. 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 Bettina Rheims sold in 2026 for $15,240, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

**1 Bettina Rheims work is coming to auction** (as of 2026-11-02).

- [Bettina Rheims on OpeningBid](https://www.openingbid.art/artist/bettina-rheims?ref=kg:bettina-rheims) — follow free in the OpeningBid app for sale alerts.

## What is a Bettina Rheims work worth?

Across 136 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Bettina Rheims work is $2,879.

The median Bettina Rheims photograph sells for $3,350 across 114 lots.

The median Bettina Rheims print sells for $601 across 9 lots.

The median Bettina Rheims sculpture sells for $35,503 across 2 lots.

Medium (50–120 cm) Bettina Rheims photographs typically sell for $1,974–$7,718 (the middle half of 50 sold lots).

Small (under 50 cm) Bettina Rheims photographs typically sell for $514–$3,309 (the middle half of 35 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 | 11 | $601‡ | $32,500 | 81.8% | 2026-10-07 |
| Works on Paper | 2 | $8,108 | $15,771 | — | 2017-11-28 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 3 | $35,503 | $61,556 | 66.7% | 2023-12-07 |
| Photography | 145 | $3,350†‡ | $55,758 | 78.6% | 2026-10-07 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 7 | $32,500† | $61,556 | — | 2023-12-07 |

† 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 5 | $466–$839‡ | $601‡ | $1,136 |

‡ 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) | 35 | $514–$3,309†‡ | $1,181†‡ | $20,689 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 50 | $1,974–$7,718†‡ | $4,049†‡ | $22,688 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 17 | $6,859–$15,240† | $9,615† | $55,758 |

† 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Sculpture & Installation | 2023 | $61,556 |
| Photography | 2007 | $55,758 |
| Photography | 2007 | $38,347 |
| Prints & Editions | 2014 | $32,500 |
| Works on Paper | 2008 | $15,771 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2017 | $9,449 |
| Prints & Editions | 2001 | $3,760 |
| Works on Paper | 2017 | $446 |

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 Bettina Rheims worth?

Across 136 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Bettina Rheims work is $2,879. The median Bettina Rheims photograph sells for $3,350 across 114 lots. The median Bettina Rheims print sells for $601 across 9 lots. The median Bettina Rheims sculpture sells for $35,503 across 2 lots. Medium (50–120 cm) Bettina Rheims photographs typically sell for $1,974–$7,718 (the middle half of 50 sold lots). Small (under 50 cm) Bettina Rheims photographs typically sell for $514–$3,309 (the middle half of 35 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 Bettina Rheims photograph?

Based on 114 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Bettina Rheims photograph is $3,350. 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 Bettina Rheims's most expensive photograph?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Bettina Rheims photograph is $55,758.

### What is the average price of a Bettina Rheims print?

Based on 9 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Bettina Rheims print is $601. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Bettina Rheims's most expensive print?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Bettina Rheims print is $32,500.

### What is the average price of a medium Bettina Rheims photograph?

Based on 50 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Bettina Rheims photograph (medium (50–120 cm)) is $4,049, 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 small Bettina Rheims photograph?

Based on 35 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Bettina Rheims photograph (small (under 50 cm)) is $1,181, 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 Bettina Rheims's auction record?

Bettina Rheims's auction record is $61,556, set in 2023.

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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, “Bettina Rheims auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/bettina-rheims (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.