> Source: https://www.openingbid.art/artist/claude-cahun · updated 2026-11-01

# Claude Cahun (1894–1954)

## What is Claude Cahun’s work worth? {#value}

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.

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

| # | 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 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Photographs | 34 | $27,746 |
| Other | 9 | $4,750 |

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

| 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](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


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.

## 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. The full sale history is in the OpeningBid app (free sign-up).

## 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.

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Data last updated 2026-11-01. OpeningBid tracks 15,222,099 auction lots from 571 auction houses, refreshed nightly.

Cite this page as: OpeningBid, “Claude Cahun auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/claude-cahun (updated 2026-11-01).

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.