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

# Ernst Barlach (1870–1938)

## What is Ernst Barlach’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 356 auction results for Ernst Barlach at 35 houses since 1993. Over the last 24 months the median price was $17,117 including buyer’s premium (middle half $8,908–$29,921, n=23). The auction record is $858,160 for Schwangeres Mädchen (2021, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Schwangeres Mädchen, 1924 | Sculpture | $858,160 | Christie's | Mar 2021 |
| 2 | Tanzende Alte (Dancing Old Woman), 1920 | Sculpture | $478,883 | Sotheby's | Mar 2026 |
| 3 | Der Singende Mann, 1928 | Bronze | $381,071 | Kunsthaus Lempertz | Dec 2021 |
| 4 | Der Bettler, 1930 | Bronze with dark brown patina | $365,531 | Ketterer Kunst | Dec 2005 |
| 5 | Der Zweifler, 1930 | Bronze | $288,622 | Kunsthaus Lempertz | Nov 2015 |
| 6 | Der singende Mann, 1928 | Bronze, braun patiniert | $257,319 | Van Ham Kunstauktionen | Dec 2025 |
| 7 | Der Geistkämpfer, 1928 | Bronze with brown patina | $254,956 | Ketterer Kunst | Jun 2009 |
| 8 | Der Singende Mann (The Singing Man) | Bronze | $206,500 | Sotheby's | Nov 2011 |
| 9 | Das Wiedersehen, 1926 | Bronze with dark brown patina | $150,448 | Ketterer Kunst | Jun 2013 |
| 10 | Frierendes Mädchen, 1916 | Bronze with golden-brownp atina | $146,775 | Ketterer Kunst | Dec 2017 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Sculpture | 135 | $30,427 |
| Other | 8 | $5,181 |
| Works on paper | 13 | $4,872 |
| Prints | 35 | $960 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 50 | $30,342 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 138 | $12,347 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 356 results from 35 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Ernst Barlach is a German artist with 557 auction lots recorded since 1989, median price $5,000. 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 Ernst Barlach sold in 2026 for $20,895, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

**3 Ernst Barlach works are coming to auction** (as of 2026-11-02).

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

## What is a Ernst Barlach work worth?

Across 346 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Ernst Barlach work is $5,000.

The median Ernst Barlach print sells for $540 across 133 lots.

The median Ernst Barlach sculpture sells for $23,728 across 166 lots.

The median Ernst Barlach work on paper sells for $4,445 across 23 lots.

Small (under 50 cm) Ernst Barlach sculptures typically sell for $8,877–$46,225 (the middle half of 112 sold lots).

Small (under 50 cm) Ernst Barlach prints typically sell for $326–$891 (the middle half of 101 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 | 242 | $540†‡ | $11,221‡ | 55% | 2026-10-22 |
| Paintings | 1 | $22,608 | $22,608 | — | 2016-06-10 |
| Works on Paper | 28 | $4,445†‡ | $14,189 | 82.1% | 2025-06-23 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 221 | $23,728†‡ | $858,160 | 75.1% | 2026-09-17 |
| Photography | 3 | $480‡ | $480‡ | 33.3% | 2017-12-06 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 18 | $175,099‡ | $858,160 | — | 2026-06-05 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

Ernst Barlach's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (242 lots) median $540 with 55% sell-through. Paintings (1 lots) median $22,608, record $22,608. A typical Ernst Barlach painting sells for around 42× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 18 lots) the median is $175,099.

## Price by size

### Prints & Editions

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 101 | $326–$891†‡ | $535†‡ | $7,400 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 24 | $278–$1,130†‡ | $719†‡ | $11,221‡ |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

### Works on Paper

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 21 | $2,280–$5,532†‡ | $3,260†‡ | $14,189 |

† 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) | 112 | $8,877–$46,225‡ | $18,790‡ | $478,883 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 51 | $16,565–$60,069†‡ | $35,093†‡ | $858,160 |

† 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Sculpture & Installation | 2021 | $858,160 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2026 | $478,883 |
| Paintings | 2016 | $22,608 |
| Works on Paper | 2004 | $14,189 |
| Prints & Editions | 2017 | $11,221‡ |
| Works on Paper | 2011 | $9,735 |
| Prints & Editions | 1994 | $9,000 |
| Photography | 2017 | $480‡ |

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

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 Ernst Barlach worth?

Across 346 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Ernst Barlach work is $5,000. The median Ernst Barlach print sells for $540 across 133 lots. The median Ernst Barlach sculpture sells for $23,728 across 166 lots. The median Ernst Barlach work on paper sells for $4,445 across 23 lots. Small (under 50 cm) Ernst Barlach sculptures typically sell for $8,877–$46,225 (the middle half of 112 sold lots). Small (under 50 cm) Ernst Barlach prints typically sell for $326–$891 (the middle half of 101 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 Ernst Barlach print?

Based on 133 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Ernst Barlach print is $540. 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 Ernst Barlach's most expensive print?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Ernst Barlach print is $11,221. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.

### What is the average price of a Ernst Barlach sculpture?

Based on 166 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Ernst Barlach sculpture is $23,728. 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 Ernst Barlach's most expensive sculpture?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Ernst Barlach sculpture is $858,160.

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

Based on 23 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Ernst Barlach work on paper is $4,445. 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 Ernst Barlach's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Ernst Barlach work on paper is $14,189.

### What is the average price of a small Ernst Barlach sculpture?

Based on 112 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Ernst Barlach sculpture (small (under 50 cm)) is $18,790, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is the average price of a small Ernst Barlach print?

Based on 101 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Ernst Barlach print (small (under 50 cm)) is $535, 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 Ernst Barlach's auction record?

Ernst Barlach's auction record is $858,160, set in 2021.

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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, “Ernst Barlach auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/ernst-barlach (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.