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

# Elger Esser (b. 1967)

## What is Elger Esser’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 159 auction results for Elger Esser at 18 houses since 2004. Over the last 24 months the median price was $6,350 including buyer’s premium (middle half $3,436–$20,320, n=13). The auction record is $137,000 for Doubt, Frankreich (2015, Phillips). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Doubt, Frankreich, 1999 | Hand coloring | $137,000 | Phillips | Oct 2015 |
| 2 | Matera I Italien 1998 and Matera II Italien 1998, 1998 | Diptych | $90,000 | Christie's | Sep 2006 |
| 3 | Loire et Cher, Frankreich, 2000 | Hand coloring | $59,023 | Phillips | May 2018 |
| 4 | Saone, France | Cibachrome print on diasec face | $56,250 | Sotheby's | Sep 2010 |
| 5 | Champtoceaux, 2000 | Print | $50,400 | Christie's | May 2006 |

**Top auction records: prints & editions**

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Paris, 1999 | Colour coupler print mounted with Diasec in artist wooden frame | $127,233 | Christie's | Oct 2005 |
| 2 | Cap d'Antifer, Frankreich, 2000 | Hand coloring | $118,750 | Phillips | Apr 2014 |
| 3 | Blois Frankreich, 1998 | Print | $93,565 | Christie's | Feb 2005 |
| 4 | Cap d'Antifer, Frankreich, 2000 | Hand coloring | $56,250 | Phillips | Oct 2015 |
| 5 | Roghudi II, Italien, 1998 | Hand coloring | $50,800 | Sotheby's | Apr 2025 |

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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Works on paper | 5 | $28,680 |
| Photographs | 99 | $19,230 |
| Other | 27 | $15,000 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 108 | $20,199 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 17 | $6,875 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 159 results from 18 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Elger Esser is a German artist with 219 auction lots recorded since 2004, median price $16,465. Some sold prices are not yet verified as premium-inclusive or hammer, and are marked on this page.

A work by Elger Esser sold in 2026 for $19,350, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Elger Esser work worth?

Across 158 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Elger Esser work is $16,465.

The median Elger Esser photograph sells for $17,500 across 123 lots.

The median Elger Esser print sells for $20,370 across 16 lots.

The median Elger Esser work on paper sells for $24,000 across 1 lots.

Large (over 120 cm) Elger Esser photographs typically sell for $12,199–$27,916 (the middle half of 91 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 | 20 | $20,370‡ | $127,233 | 80% | 2018-12-06 |
| Works on Paper | 2 | $24,000 | $24,000 | 50% | 2006-03-16 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 1 | $15,577 | $15,577 | — | 2017-04-06 |
| Photography | 157 | $17,500†‡ | $137,000 | 78.3% | 2026-10-07 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 8 | $91,782 | $137,000 | — | 2018-05-18 |

† 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| large (over 120 cm) | 13 | $16,250–$46,652 | $25,000 | $127,233 |

### Photography

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 7 | $722–$1,422‡ | $981‡ | $1,602 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 19 | $3,382–$12,493‡ | $5,344‡ | $26,996‡ |
| large (over 120 cm) | 91 | $12,199–$27,916†‡ | $20,320†‡ | $137,000 |

† 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Photography | 2015 | $137,000 |
| Prints & Editions | 2005 | $127,233 |
| Photography | 2014 | $118,750 |
| Prints & Editions | 2005 | $93,565 |
| Works on Paper | 2006 | $24,000 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2017 | $15,577 |

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 Elger Esser worth?

Across 158 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Elger Esser work is $16,465. The median Elger Esser photograph sells for $17,500 across 123 lots. The median Elger Esser print sells for $20,370 across 16 lots. The median Elger Esser work on paper sells for $24,000 across 1 lots. Large (over 120 cm) Elger Esser photographs typically sell for $12,199–$27,916 (the middle half of 91 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 Elger Esser photograph?

Based on 123 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Elger Esser photograph is $17,500. 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 Elger Esser's most expensive photograph?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Elger Esser photograph is $137,000.

### What is the average price of a Elger Esser print?

Based on 16 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Elger Esser print is $20,370. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Elger Esser's most expensive print?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Elger Esser print is $127,233.

### What is the average price of a large Elger Esser photograph?

Based on 91 sold lots, the median auction price of a large Elger Esser photograph (large (over 120 cm)) is $20,320, 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 Elger Esser photograph?

Based on 19 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Elger Esser photograph (medium (50–120 cm)) is $5,344, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Elger Esser's auction record?

Elger Esser's auction record is $137,000, set in 2015.

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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, “Elger Esser auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/elger-esser (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.