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

# Ernst Wilhelm Nay (1902–1968)

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

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.

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

| # | 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 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 127 | $209,550 |
| Works on paper | 124 | $29,276 |
| Other | 15 | $6,541 |
| Prints | 57 | $3,366 |

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

| 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](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


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).

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

## 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. The full sale history is in the OpeningBid app (free sign-up).

## 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.

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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 Wilhelm Nay auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/ernst-wilhelm-nay (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.