> Source: https://www.openingbid.art/artist/ellen-von-unwerth · updated 2026-11-03

# Ellen von Unwerth (b. 1954)

## What is Ellen von Unwerth’s work worth? {#value}

As of 3 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 126 auction results for Ellen von Unwerth at 24 houses since 2003. Over the last 24 months the median price was $4,814 including buyer’s premium (middle half $2,890–$7,300, n=36). The auction record is $73,102 for Parasol (2016, Phillips). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Parasol, 2016 | Cartes-de-visite | $73,102 | Phillips | May 2016 |
| 2 | Chimney Sweeper, Kate Moss, Paris, 1995 | Unique colour Polaroid Type 100 print | $56,963 | Phillips | Nov 2022 |
| 3 | Splendor in the Garden, Kate Moss, Miami, 1993 | Unique colour Polaroid Type 100 print | $52,466 | Phillips | Nov 2022 |
| 4 | Mission Accomplished | Myrrh | $35,852 | Phillips | May 2017 |
| 5 | Kate and David, New York, 2003 | Hand coloring | $35,440 | Phillips | Apr 2018 |
| 6 | Smoking in bed, Eva Herzigova, 1994 | Black and white photograph | $33,668 | Phillips | Apr 2018 |
| 7 | Claudia Schiffer for Guess, Morocco, 1989 | Myrrh | $28,451 | Phillips | May 2023 |
| 8 | Your Turn, Rihanna, 2009 | Myrrh | $25,290 | Phillips | May 2023 |
| 9 | Double Trouble, New York | Hand coloring | $25,200 | Phillips | Apr 2022 |
| 10 | Miami Blues, Kate Moss, Miami, 1993 | Unique colour Polaroid Type 100 print | $23,984 | Phillips | Nov 2022 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Photographs | 102 | $4,821 |
| Other | 9 | $3,000 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 13 | $11,134 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 21 | $4,845 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 76 | $3,976 |

Data as of 3 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 126 results from 24 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Ellen von Unwerth is a German artist with 150 auction lots recorded since 2003, median price $4,307. 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 Ellen von Unwerth sold in 2026 for $7,095, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Ellen von Unwerth work worth?

Across 122 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Ellen von Unwerth work is $4,307.

The median Ellen von Unwerth photograph sells for $4,087 across 115 lots.

The median Ellen von Unwerth print sells for $18,801 across 6 lots.

Small (under 50 cm) Ellen von Unwerth photographs typically sell for $2,557–$6,421 (the middle half of 80 sold lots).

Medium (50–120 cm) Ellen von Unwerth photographs typically sell for $2,702–$5,500 (the middle half of 20 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 | 7 | $18,801 | $35,852 | 85.7% | 2024-10-31 |
| Photography | 134 | $4,087†‡ | $73,102 | 85.8% | 2026-10-08 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 7 | $35,852 | $73,102 | — | 2023-05-19 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

## Price by size

### Photography

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 80 | $2,557–$6,421†‡ | $3,884†‡ | $56,963 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 20 | $2,702–$5,500‡ | $3,942‡ | $35,440 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 12 | $9,546–$17,270† | $11,041† | $73,102 |

† 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 | 2016 | $73,102 |
| Photography | 2022 | $56,963 |
| Prints & Editions | 2017 | $35,852 |
| Prints & Editions | 2023 | $28,451 |

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 Ellen von Unwerth worth?

Across 122 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Ellen von Unwerth work is $4,307. The median Ellen von Unwerth photograph sells for $4,087 across 115 lots. The median Ellen von Unwerth print sells for $18,801 across 6 lots. Small (under 50 cm) Ellen von Unwerth photographs typically sell for $2,557–$6,421 (the middle half of 80 sold lots). Medium (50–120 cm) Ellen von Unwerth photographs typically sell for $2,702–$5,500 (the middle half of 20 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 Ellen von Unwerth photograph?

Based on 115 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Ellen von Unwerth photograph is $4,087. 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 Ellen von Unwerth's most expensive photograph?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Ellen von Unwerth photograph is $73,102.

### What is the average price of a small Ellen von Unwerth photograph?

Based on 80 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Ellen von Unwerth photograph (small (under 50 cm)) is $3,884, 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 Ellen von Unwerth photograph?

Based on 20 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Ellen von Unwerth photograph (medium (50–120 cm)) is $3,942, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Ellen von Unwerth's auction record?

Ellen von Unwerth's auction record is $73,102, set in 2016.

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Data last updated 2026-11-03. OpeningBid tracks 15,596,131 auction lots from 579 auction houses, refreshed nightly.

Cite this page as: OpeningBid, “Ellen von Unwerth auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/ellen-von-unwerth (updated 2026-11-03).

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.