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

# Ernst Ludwig Kirchner (1880–1938)

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

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 1,642 auction results for Ernst Ludwig Kirchner at 38 houses since 1989. Over the last 24 months the median price was $13,658 including buyer’s premium (middle half $6,060–$33,694, n=142). The auction record is $38,096,000 for Berliner Strassenszene (recto); Bäume (verso) (2006, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Berliner Strassenszene (recto); Bäume (verso), 1913-1914 | Oil paint | $38,096,000 | Christie's | Nov 2006 |
| 2 | Dodo mit grossem Fächer, 1910 | Oil paint | $12,920,000 | Christie's | May 2007 |
| 3 | Pantomime Reimann: Die Rache der Tänzerin, 1912 | Oil paint | $9,888,909 | Christie's | Jun 2021 |
| 4 | GRUPPE BADENDER AM STRAND (GROUP OF BATHERS ON THE BEACH) | Oil on canvas | $9,521,944 | Sotheby's | Feb 2008 |
| 5 | Tanz im Varieté, 1911 | Oil on canvas | $7,582,825 | Ketterer Kunst | Jun 2024 |
| 6 | Erna am Meer, Fehmarn, 1913 | Oil paint | $6,889,509 | Christie's | Feb 2016 |
| 7 | Das blaue Mädchen in der Sonne, 1910 | Oil on canvas | $5,015,527 | Ketterer Kunst | Dec 2022 |
| 8 | Zwei Mädchen mit Badewanne (Frau in flacher Wanne und Mädchen mit Fächer) (recto); Sitzender schwarzhaariger Mädchenakt (verso), 1909 | Oil paint | $4,833,862 | Christie's | Mar 2024 |
| 9 | Gut Staberhof III, 1913 | Oil paint | $4,812,500 | Christie's | Nov 2017 |
| 10 | VARIÉTÉPARADE (VARIETY SHOW) | Oil on canvas | $4,713,337 | Sotheby's | Feb 2010 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 98 | $977,835 |
| Works on paper | 503 | $19,041 |
| Prints | 438 | $17,724 |
| Other | 296 | $15,035 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 31 | $1,254,945 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 305 | $43,362 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 963 | $13,273 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 1,642 results from 38 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Ernst Ludwig Kirchner is a German artist with 2,162 auction lots recorded since 1989, median price $15,600. 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 Ludwig Kirchner sold in 2026 for $850,564, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

**23 Ernst Ludwig Kirchner works are coming to auction** (as of 2026-11-02).

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

## What is a Ernst Ludwig Kirchner work worth?

Across 1,641 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Ernst Ludwig Kirchner work is $15,600.

The median Ernst Ludwig Kirchner work on paper sells for $15,101 across 891 lots.

The median Ernst Ludwig Kirchner print sells for $14,074 across 530 lots.

The median Ernst Ludwig Kirchner painting sells for $901,746 across 104 lots.

Small (under 50 cm) Ernst Ludwig Kirchner work on papers typically sell for $5,490–$26,381 (the middle half of 714 sold lots).

Small (under 50 cm) Ernst Ludwig Kirchner prints typically sell for $4,925–$24,654 (the middle half of 405 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 | 639 | $14,074†‡ | $1.4M | 82.9% | 2026-10-29 |
| Paintings | 116 | $901,746‡ | $38.1M | 89.7% | 2026-06-19 |
| Works on Paper | 1,050 | $15,101†‡ | $1.6M | 84.9% | 2026-09-26 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 5 | $110,209 | $4.5M | 60% | 2022-12-09 |
| Photography | 3 | — | — | 0% | — |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 189 | $476,010‡ | $38.1M | — | 2026-06-19 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

Ernst Ludwig Kirchner's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (639 lots) median $14,074 with 82.9% sell-through. Paintings (116 lots) median $901,746, record $38,096,000. A typical Ernst Ludwig Kirchner painting sells for around 64× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 189 lots) the median is $476,010.

## Price by size

### Prints & Editions

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 405 | $4,925–$24,654†‡ | $10,914†‡ | $1.4M |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 103 | $24,356–$78,067†‡ | $39,544†‡ | $976,433 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

### Paintings

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 10 | $21,560–$145,071 | $70,273 | $454,840 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 73 | $528,900–$1.9M‡ | $975,000‡ | $9.9M |
| large (over 120 cm) | 20 | $709,655–$1.8M | $1.2M | $38.1M |

‡ 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) | 714 | $5,490–$26,381†‡ | $11,729†‡ | $637,647 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 172 | $19,248–$50,814†‡ | $30,628†‡ | $1.6M |

† 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 2006 | $38.1M |
| Paintings | 2007 | $12.9M |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2022 | $4.5M |
| Works on Paper | 2016 | $1.6M |
| Prints & Editions | 2012 | $1.4M |
| Works on Paper | 2010 | $1.4M |
| Prints & Editions | 2025 | $976,433 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2012 | $110,209 |

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 Ludwig Kirchner worth?

Across 1,641 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Ernst Ludwig Kirchner work is $15,600. The median Ernst Ludwig Kirchner work on paper sells for $15,101 across 891 lots. The median Ernst Ludwig Kirchner print sells for $14,074 across 530 lots. The median Ernst Ludwig Kirchner painting sells for $901,746 across 104 lots. Small (under 50 cm) Ernst Ludwig Kirchner work on papers typically sell for $5,490–$26,381 (the middle half of 714 sold lots). Small (under 50 cm) Ernst Ludwig Kirchner prints typically sell for $4,925–$24,654 (the middle half of 405 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 Ludwig Kirchner work on paper?

Based on 891 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Ernst Ludwig Kirchner work on paper is $15,101. 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 Ludwig Kirchner's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Ernst Ludwig Kirchner work on paper is $1,590,490.

### What is the average price of a Ernst Ludwig Kirchner print?

Based on 530 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Ernst Ludwig Kirchner print is $14,074. 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 Ludwig Kirchner's most expensive print?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Ernst Ludwig Kirchner print is $1,438,099.

### What is the average price of a Ernst Ludwig Kirchner painting?

Based on 104 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Ernst Ludwig Kirchner painting is $901,746. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Ernst Ludwig Kirchner's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Ernst Ludwig Kirchner painting is $38,096,000.

### What is the average price of a small Ernst Ludwig Kirchner work on paper?

Based on 714 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Ernst Ludwig Kirchner work on paper (small (under 50 cm)) is $11,729, 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 small Ernst Ludwig Kirchner print?

Based on 405 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Ernst Ludwig Kirchner print (small (under 50 cm)) is $10,914, 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 Ludwig Kirchner's auction record?

Ernst Ludwig Kirchner's auction record is $38,096,000, set in 2006.

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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 Ludwig Kirchner auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/ernst-ludwig-kirchner (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.