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

# César (1921–1998)

## What is César’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 1,547 auction results for César at 78 houses since 1989. Over the last 24 months the median price was $5,013 including buyer’s premium (middle half $908–$17,662, n=183). The auction record is $662,934 for Le Centaure (2017, Sotheby's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Le Centaure, 1988 | Welded bronze assemblage | $662,934 | Sotheby's | Dec 2017 |
| 2 | POUCE, 1965 | Bronze à patine brune | $544,162 | Artcurial | Dec 2018 |
| 3 | Expansion | Bronze patiné doré | $518,139 | Sotheby's | Nov 2021 |
| 4 | Le centaure (Hommage à Picasso), 1983-1985 | Bronze à patine brune | $502,740 | Artcurial | Oct 2026 |
| 5 | LA PACHOLETTE, 1966 | Signée en bas au milieu sur la terrasse et numérotée | $500,235 | Artcurial | Apr 2008 |
| 6 | CESAR, BALDACCINI (1921) | Bronze | $489,825 | Cornette de Saint Cyr (Bonhams) | Mar 1991 |
| 7 | Tubes | Welded iron | $464,408 | Sotheby's | Dec 2017 |
| 8 | POUCE, 1965 | Sculpture en fonte de fer | $464,180 | Artcurial | May 2012 |
| 9 | Compression d'Automobile | Automobile compression | $445,665 | Sotheby's | Mar 2018 |
| 10 | TUBES, 1959 | Fer soudé | $443,190 | Artcurial | Jan 2008 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Sculpture | 631 | $22,157 |
| Paintings | 41 | $14,200 |
| Other | 240 | $5,293 |
| Works on paper | 67 | $2,202 |
| Photographs | 13 | $1,139 |
| Prints | 150 | $420 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 68 | $117,126 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 436 | $6,719 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 405 | $4,114 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 1,547 results from 78 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


César is a French artist with 1,968 auction lots recorded since 1989, median price $5,448. 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 César sold in 2026 for $647,160, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

**11 César works are coming to auction** (as of 2026-11-02).

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

## What is a César work worth?

Across 1,522 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a César work is $5,448.

The median César sculpture sells for $17,779 across 738 lots.

The median César print sells for $377 across 258 lots.

The median César work on paper sells for $2,809 across 160 lots.

Small (under 50 cm) César sculptures typically sell for $3,759–$26,008 (the middle half of 348 sold lots).

Medium (50–120 cm) César sculptures typically sell for $3,722–$56,527 (the middle half of 206 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 | 311 | $377†‡ | $37,581 | 83% | 2026-10-02 |
| Paintings | 23 | $14,200† | $135,022 | 87% | 2026-03-09 |
| Works on Paper | 194 | $2,809†‡ | $48,640 | 82.5% | 2026-07-02 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 848 | $17,779†‡ | $662,934 | 87% | 2026-10-24 |
| Photography | 28 | $918‡ | $19,731 | 78.6% | 2026-09-17 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 108 | $168,087† | $662,934 | — | 2026-10-24 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.

César's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (311 lots) median $377 with 83% sell-through. Paintings (23 lots) median $14,200, record $135,022. A typical César painting sells for around 38× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 108 lots) the median is $168,087.

## Price by size

### Prints & Editions

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 45 | $258–$1,238†‡ | $426†‡ | $37,581 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 185 | $224–$585†‡ | $376†‡ | $4,315 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.

### Paintings

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 5 | $3,187–$12,032† | $6,926† | $14,200 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 7 | $12,918–$20,027 | $16,497 | $29,034 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 5 | $37,887–$104,909 | $38,305 | $135,022 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

### Works on Paper

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 75 | $1,077–$3,134†‡ | $1,751†‡ | $14,930 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 58 | $4,586–$14,389†‡ | $9,001†‡ | $32,411 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.

### Sculpture & Installation

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 348 | $3,759–$26,008†‡ | $11,899†‡ | $103,950 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 206 | $3,722–$56,527†‡ | $18,977†‡ | $464,408 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 55 | $93,936–$193,942 | $127,021 | $662,934 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

‡ 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) | 9 | $331–$829‡ | $829‡ | $6,488 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 9 | $1,139–$2,370‡ | $1,733‡ | $19,731 |

‡ 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 | 2017 | $662,934 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2026 | $647,160 |
| Paintings | 2021 | $135,022 |
| Paintings | 2025 | $104,909 |
| Works on Paper | 2026 | $48,640 |
| Prints & Editions | 2021 | $37,581 |
| Works on Paper | 2004 | $32,411 |
| Prints & Editions | 2020 | $29,400 |

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 César worth?

Across 1,522 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a César work is $5,448. The median César sculpture sells for $17,779 across 738 lots. The median César print sells for $377 across 258 lots. The median César work on paper sells for $2,809 across 160 lots. Small (under 50 cm) César sculptures typically sell for $3,759–$26,008 (the middle half of 348 sold lots). Medium (50–120 cm) César sculptures typically sell for $3,722–$56,527 (the middle half of 206 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 César sculpture?

Based on 738 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a César sculpture is $17,779. 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 César's most expensive sculpture?

The highest price recorded at auction for a César sculpture is $662,934.

### What is the average price of a César print?

Based on 258 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a César print is $377. 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 César's most expensive print?

The highest price recorded at auction for a César print is $37,581.

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

Based on 160 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a César work on paper is $2,809. 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 César's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a César work on paper is $48,640.

### What is the average price of a small César sculpture?

Based on 348 sold lots, the median auction price of a small César sculpture (small (under 50 cm)) is $11,899, 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 César sculpture?

Based on 206 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium César sculpture (medium (50–120 cm)) is $18,977, 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 César's auction record?

César's auction record is $662,934, set in 2017.

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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, “César auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/cesar (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.