Carl Spitzweg (1808–1885)
What is Carl Spitzweg’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 449 auction results for Carl Spitzweg at 19 houses since 1993. Over the last 24 months the median price was $9,705 including buyer’s premium (middle half $1,693–$52,159, n=48). The auction record is $1,230,000 for Der Hexenmeister (2020, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Der Hexenmeister, 1875 | Oil paint | $1,230,000 | Christie's | Oct 2020 |
| 2 | Lueg ins Land, 1870 | Oil on panel | $986,174 | Koller Auktionen | Sep 2010 |
| 3 | Der Sonntagsjäger (The Sunday hunter), circa 1845 | Oil on canvas | $436,271 | Karl & Faber | May 2023 |
| 4 | Lesender Einsiedler mit Raben in einer Schlucht, 1830 | Oil on cardboard, on canvas | $420,979 | Ketterer Kunst | Dec 2025 |
| 5 | Der Postbote, 1860 | Oil on panel | $383,230 | Ketterer Kunst | Dec 2023 |
| 6 | Der Gratulant, 1860 | Oil on oak panel | $310,173 | Koller Auktionen | Sep 2017 |
| 7 | Der Klauser auf der Höh', 1865 | Oil on canvas | $288,570 | Koller Auktionen | Mar 2007 |
| 8 | The Reading, 1870 | Aquarelle | $266,122 | Koller Auktionen | Mar 2012 |
| 9 | Auf der Bastei (Militärposten im Frieden). (On the Bastion (Military Post in Peacetime)), 1856 | Oil on canvas | $249,500 | Koller Auktionen | Oct 2021 |
| 10 | Der Briefträger, 1870 | Oil on canvas | $248,000 | Skinner (Bonhams Skinner) | May 2011 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 170 | $44,977 |
| Other | 52 | $2,065 |
| Works on paper | 71 | $1,624 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 15 | $99,398 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 269 | $12,539 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 449 results from 19 houses · How we compute these figures
Carl Spitzweg is a German artist with 588 auction lots recorded since 1989, median price $10,904. 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 Carl Spitzweg sold in 2026 for $110,943, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
5 Carl Spitzweg works are coming to auction (as of 2026-11-02). Follow Carl Spitzweg free on OpeningBid for sale alerts.
See the full Carl Spitzweg record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Carl Spitzweg on OpeningBid →What is a Carl Spitzweg work worth?
Across 447 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Carl Spitzweg work is $10,904.
The median Carl Spitzweg painting sells for $39,617 across 234 lots.
The median Carl Spitzweg work on paper sells for $1,241 across 189 lots.
The median Carl Spitzweg sculpture sells for $2,313 across 1 lots.
Small (under 50 cm) Carl Spitzweg paintings typically sell for $18,322–$82,050 (the middle half of 210 sold lots).
Small (under 50 cm) Carl Spitzweg work on papers typically sell for $786–$2,273 (the middle half of 186 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 | 1 | $646† | $646† | — | 2005-11-01 |
| Paintings | 296 | $39,617†‡ | $1.2M | 79.1% | 2026-06-19 |
| Works on Paper | 236 | $1,241†‡ | $56,087 | 80.1% | 2026-06-05 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 1 | $2,313‡ | $2,313‡ | — | 2025-11-12 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 58 | $158,814‡ | $1.2M | — | 2026-06-19 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Carl Spitzweg's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (1 lots) median $646. Paintings (296 lots) median $39,617, record $1,230,000. A typical Carl Spitzweg painting sells for around 61× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 58 lots) the median is $158,814.
Price by size
Paintings
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 210 | $18,322–$82,050†‡ | $36,751†‡ | $1.2M |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 20 | $47,363–$179,652‡ | $99,214‡ | $288,570 |
† 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) | 186 | $786–$2,273†‡ | $1,240†‡ | $56,087 |
† 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 2020 | $1.2M |
| Paintings | 2010 | $1M‡ |
| Works on Paper | 2020 | $56,087 |
| Works on Paper | 2011 | $34,524 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2025 | $2,313‡ |
| Prints & Editions | 2005 | $646† |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
The highest recorded result in each medium. See the full sale history on OpeningBid.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Carl Spitzweg worth?
Across 447 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Carl Spitzweg work is $10,904. The median Carl Spitzweg painting sells for $39,617 across 234 lots. The median Carl Spitzweg work on paper sells for $1,241 across 189 lots. The median Carl Spitzweg sculpture sells for $2,313 across 1 lots. Small (under 50 cm) Carl Spitzweg paintings typically sell for $18,322–$82,050 (the middle half of 210 sold lots). Small (under 50 cm) Carl Spitzweg work on papers typically sell for $786–$2,273 (the middle half of 186 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 Carl Spitzweg painting?
Based on 234 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Carl Spitzweg painting is $39,617. 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 Carl Spitzweg's most expensive painting?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Carl Spitzweg painting is $1,230,000.
What is the average price of a Carl Spitzweg work on paper?
Based on 189 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Carl Spitzweg work on paper is $1,241. 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 Carl Spitzweg's most expensive work on paper?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Carl Spitzweg work on paper is $56,087.
What is the average price of a small Carl Spitzweg painting?
Based on 210 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Carl Spitzweg painting (small (under 50 cm)) is $36,751, 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 Carl Spitzweg work on paper?
Based on 186 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Carl Spitzweg work on paper (small (under 50 cm)) is $1,240, 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 Carl Spitzweg's auction record?
Carl Spitzweg's auction record is $1,230,000, set in 2020.
See the full Carl Spitzweg record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Carl Spitzweg on OpeningBid →