Ernst Wilhelm Nay (1902–1968)
What is Ernst Wilhelm Nay’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 541 auction results for Ernst Wilhelm Nay at 24 houses since 1993. Over the last 24 months the median price was $83,207 including buyer’s premium (middle half $23,434–$280,204, n=39). The auction record is $2,636,078 for Scheiben und Halbscheiben (2017, Ketterer Kunst). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Scheiben und Halbscheiben, 1955 | Oil on canvas | $2,636,078 | Ketterer Kunst | Dec 2017 |
| 2 | Doppelspindel-Rot, 1967 | Oil on canvas | $2,599,714 | Ketterer Kunst | Jun 2021 |
| 3 | Motion, 1962 | Oil on canvas | $1,747,438 | Ketterer Kunst | Jun 2023 |
| 4 | Ice Blue, 1961 | Oil paint | $1,452,500 | Christie's | May 2018 |
| 5 | Vom Aufsteigenden Blau (From the Rising Blue), 1956 | Oil paint | $1,107,664 | Christie's | Oct 2018 |
| 6 | Motion, 1962 | Oil on canvas | $1,020,677 | Ketterer Kunst | Jun 2026 |
| 7 | Sonnenzirkel, 1956 | Oil on canvas | $940,651 | Ketterer Kunst | Dec 2024 |
| 8 | Blau bewegt, 1957 | Oil on canvas | $903,462 | Ketterer Kunst | Dec 2020 |
| 9 | Traum (Dream), 1963 | Oil paint | $778,084 | Sotheby's | Oct 2021 |
| 10 | Mit fünf grünen Punkten, 1956 | Oil paint | $763,642 | Sotheby's | Mar 2023 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 127 | $209,550 |
| Works on paper | 124 | $29,276 |
| Other | 15 | $6,541 |
| Prints | 57 | $3,366 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 46 | $441,826 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 163 | $41,825 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 109 | $20,723 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 541 results from 24 houses · How we compute these figures
Ernst Wilhelm Nay is a German artist with 679 auction lots recorded since 1989, median price $15,035. 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 Wilhelm Nay sold in 2026 for $65,473, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
6 Ernst Wilhelm Nay works are coming to auction (as of 2026-11-02). Follow Ernst Wilhelm Nay free on OpeningBid for sale alerts.
See the full Ernst Wilhelm Nay record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Ernst Wilhelm Nay on OpeningBid →What is a Ernst Wilhelm Nay work worth?
Across 539 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Ernst Wilhelm Nay work is $15,035.
The median Ernst Wilhelm Nay print sells for $1,141 across 189 lots.
The median Ernst Wilhelm Nay work on paper sells for $21,096 across 172 lots.
The median Ernst Wilhelm Nay painting sells for $194,724 across 151 lots.
Medium (50–120 cm) Ernst Wilhelm Nay work on papers typically sell for $6,661–$37,862 (the middle half of 96 sold lots).
Small (under 50 cm) Ernst Wilhelm Nay prints typically sell for $641–$7,378 (the middle half of 94 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 | 243 | $1,141†‡ | $60,714 | 77.8% | 2026-06-06 |
| Paintings | 173 | $194,724†‡ | $2.6M | 87.3% | 2026-06-19 |
| Works on Paper | 204 | $21,096†‡ | $129,162 | 84.3% | 2026-06-06 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 101 | $297,450‡ | $2.6M | — | 2026-06-19 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Ernst Wilhelm Nay's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (243 lots) median $1,141 with 77.8% sell-through. Paintings (173 lots) median $194,724, record $2,636,078. A typical Ernst Wilhelm Nay painting sells for around 171× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 101 lots) the median is $297,450.
Price by size
Prints & Editions
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 94 | $641–$7,378†‡ | $1,336†‡ | $60,714 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 83 | $634–$1,940†‡ | $1,001†‡ | $35,160‡ |
| large (over 120 cm) | 9 | $1,123–$2,725‡ | $1,514‡ | $7,000 |
† 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) | 23 | $16,183–$39,769 | $24,643 | $91,439 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 82 | $69,265–$296,000‡ | $158,301‡ | $903,462 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 42 | $260,988–$674,086†‡ | $495,522†‡ | $2.6M |
† 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) | 71 | $6,041–$32,390‡ | $20,861‡ | $126,416 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 96 | $6,661–$37,862†‡ | $21,838†‡ | $129,162 |
† 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 | 2017 | $2.6M |
| Paintings | 2021 | $2.6M |
| Works on Paper | 2017 | $129,162 |
| Works on Paper | 2021 | $126,416 |
| Prints & Editions | 2016 | $60,714 |
| Prints & Editions | 2016 | $47,516 |
The highest recorded result in each medium. See the full sale history on OpeningBid.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Ernst Wilhelm Nay worth?
Across 539 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Ernst Wilhelm Nay work is $15,035. The median Ernst Wilhelm Nay print sells for $1,141 across 189 lots. The median Ernst Wilhelm Nay work on paper sells for $21,096 across 172 lots. The median Ernst Wilhelm Nay painting sells for $194,724 across 151 lots. Medium (50–120 cm) Ernst Wilhelm Nay work on papers typically sell for $6,661–$37,862 (the middle half of 96 sold lots). Small (under 50 cm) Ernst Wilhelm Nay prints typically sell for $641–$7,378 (the middle half of 94 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 Wilhelm Nay print?
Based on 189 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Ernst Wilhelm Nay print is $1,141. 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 Wilhelm Nay's most expensive print?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Ernst Wilhelm Nay print is $60,714.
What is the average price of a Ernst Wilhelm Nay work on paper?
Based on 172 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Ernst Wilhelm Nay work on paper is $21,096. 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 Wilhelm Nay's most expensive work on paper?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Ernst Wilhelm Nay work on paper is $129,162.
What is the average price of a Ernst Wilhelm Nay painting?
Based on 151 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Ernst Wilhelm Nay painting is $194,724. 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 Wilhelm Nay's most expensive painting?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Ernst Wilhelm Nay painting is $2,636,078.
What is the average price of a medium Ernst Wilhelm Nay work on paper?
Based on 96 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Ernst Wilhelm Nay work on paper (medium (50–120 cm)) is $21,838, 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 Wilhelm Nay print?
Based on 94 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Ernst Wilhelm Nay print (small (under 50 cm)) is $1,336, 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 Wilhelm Nay's auction record?
Ernst Wilhelm Nay's auction record is $2,636,078, set in 2017.
See the full Ernst Wilhelm Nay record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Ernst Wilhelm Nay on OpeningBid →