Claude Cahun (1894–1954)
What is Claude Cahun’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 45 auction results for Claude Cahun at 5 houses since 2000. Over the last 24 months the median price was $22,433 including buyer’s premium (middle half $4,323–$41,499, n=5). The auction record is $264,490 for Self-Observation, Aveux non avenus (planche I) (2017, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Self-Observation, Aveux non avenus (planche I), 1929-1930 | Gelatin silver print | $264,490 | Christie's | Oct 2017 |
| 2 | Autoportrait (variante I’m in training...), 1894 | Cartes-de-visite | $150,234 | Christie's | May 2021 |
| 3 | Autoportrait, 1929 | Cartes-de-visite | $131,235 | Christie's | Nov 2013 |
| 4 | Self Portrait, 1894 | Cartes-de-visite | $110,500 | Christie's | Oct 2008 |
| 5 | La Marseillaise est un chant révolutionnaire, la loi punit le contrefaiteur des travaux forcés, 1936 | Wood | $94,533 | Christie's | Feb 2007 |
| 6 | Claude Cahun et Roger Roussot dans Barbe-Bleue de Pierre Albert-Birot, 1929, 1929 | Épreuve argentique d’époque | $70,076 | Ader | Nov 2022 |
| 7 | Untitled, 1936-1939 | Cartes-de-visite | $63,397 | Christie's | Nov 2013 |
| 8 | Self-Portrait, 1894 | Cartes-de-visite | $58,600 | Christie's | Oct 2007 |
| 9 | Autoportrait, 1894 | Tirage argentique | $56,059 | Christie's | Nov 2005 |
| 10 | Sans titre [crâne et verre], 1936 | Épreuve argentique d’époque | $54,738 | Ader | Nov 2023 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Photographs | 34 | $27,746 |
| Other | 9 | $4,750 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Small (under 50 cm) | 42 | $19,016 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 45 results from 5 houses · How we compute these figures
Claude Cahun is a French artist with 56 auction lots recorded since 2000, median price $13,000. Some sold prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium; they are marked on this page.
A work by Claude Cahun sold in 2025 for $41,499, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
See the full Claude Cahun record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Claude Cahun on OpeningBid →What is a Claude Cahun work worth?
Across 45 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Claude Cahun work is $13,000.
The median Claude Cahun photograph sells for $15,600 across 41 lots.
The median Claude Cahun print sells for $3,847 across 2 lots.
The median Claude Cahun work on paper sells for $1,905 across 1 lots.
Small (under 50 cm) Claude Cahun photographs typically sell for $6,205–$46,258 (the middle half of 39 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 | 3 | $3,847 | $4,750 | 66.7% | 2022-06-02 |
| Works on Paper | 1 | $1,905 | $1,905 | — | 2024-04-10 |
| Photography | 46 | $15,600† | $264,490 | 89.1% | 2025-09-18 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 4 | $140,734 | $264,490 | — | 2021-05-25 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.
Price by size
Photography
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 39 | $6,205–$46,258† | $22,433† | $264,490 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.
Size is the work's longest edge. Cells appear only with at least 5 sold lots.
Notable results
| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Photography | 2017 | $264,490 |
| Photography | 2021 | $150,234 |
| Prints & Editions | 2022 | $4,750 |
| Prints & Editions | 2016 | $2,943 |
| Works on Paper | 2024 | $1,905 |
The highest recorded result in each medium. See the full sale history on OpeningBid.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Claude Cahun worth?
Across 45 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Claude Cahun work is $13,000. The median Claude Cahun photograph sells for $15,600 across 41 lots. The median Claude Cahun print sells for $3,847 across 2 lots. The median Claude Cahun work on paper sells for $1,905 across 1 lots. Small (under 50 cm) Claude Cahun photographs typically sell for $6,205–$46,258 (the middle half of 39 sold lots). Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.
What is the average price of a Claude Cahun photograph?
Based on 41 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Claude Cahun photograph is $15,600. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.
What is Claude Cahun's most expensive photograph?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Claude Cahun photograph is $264,490.
What is the average price of a small Claude Cahun photograph?
Based on 39 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Claude Cahun photograph (small (under 50 cm)) is $22,433, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.
What is Claude Cahun's auction record?
Claude Cahun's auction record is $264,490, set in 2017.
See the full Claude Cahun record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Claude Cahun on OpeningBid →