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

# Frank Auerbach (1931–2024)

## What is Frank Auerbach’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 428 auction results for Frank Auerbach at 27 houses since 1994. Over the last 24 months the median price was $7,943 including buyer’s premium (middle half $2,766–$40,663, n=93). The auction record is $7,087,396 for Mornington Crescent (2023, Sotheby's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mornington Crescent, 1969 | Oil on board | $7,087,396 | Sotheby's | Jun 2023 |
| 2 | Head of J.Y.M., 1984 | Oil on canvas | $6,321,984 | Sotheby's | Oct 2022 |
| 3 | E.O.W. on her Blue Eiderdown VII, 1963 | Oil on board | $5,762,680 | Sotheby's | Jun 2023 |
| 4 | Head of E.O.W. II, 1964 | Oil on board | $5,139,515 | Sotheby's | Mar 2024 |
| 5 | Head of Gerda Boehm, 1965 | Oil paint | $5,046,788 | Sotheby's | Jun 2022 |
| 6 | Samson and Delilah, 1993 | Oil paint | $4,865,658 | Christie's | Oct 2017 |
| 7 | Head of Gerda Boehm, 1954 | Oil on board | $4,709,079 | Sotheby's | Nov 2016 |
| 8 | Head of Helen Gillespie | Oil on board | $3,879,923 | Sotheby's | Jul 2008 |
| 9 | Camden Theatre in the Rain, 1977 | Oil on board | $3,794,528 | Sotheby's | Feb 2007 |
| 10 | Head of Leon Kossoff, 1954 | Painting | $3,571,045 | Christie's | Jun 2016 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 119 | $643,842 |
| Other | 63 | $357,075 |
| Works on paper | 72 | $27,507 |
| Prints | 133 | $3,500 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 19 | $2,504,457 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 128 | $371,274 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 201 | $10,763 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 428 results from 27 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Frank Auerbach is a British (modern) artist with 470 auction lots recorded since 1994, median price $26,101. 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 Frank Auerbach sold in 2026 for $1,115,024, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

**1 Frank Auerbach work is coming to auction** (as of 2026-11-02).

- [Frank Auerbach on OpeningBid](https://www.openingbid.art/artist/frank-auerbach?ref=kg:frank-auerbach) — follow free in the OpeningBid app for sale alerts.

## What is a Frank Auerbach work worth?

Across 427 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Frank Auerbach work is $26,101.

The median Frank Auerbach painting sells for $608,853 across 139 lots.

The median Frank Auerbach print sells for $3,175 across 141 lots.

The median Frank Auerbach work on paper sells for $22,994 across 107 lots.

Small (under 50 cm) Frank Auerbach prints typically sell for $2,391–$5,899 (the middle half of 97 sold lots).

Small (under 50 cm) Frank Auerbach work on papers typically sell for $8,408–$27,478 (the middle half of 72 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 | 147 | $3,175†‡ | $122,910 | 95.9% | 2026-09-30 |
| Paintings | 155 | $608,853‡ | $7.1M | 89.7% | 2026-10-21 |
| Works on Paper | 113 | $22,994†‡ | $3.1M | 94.7% | 2026-10-16 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 173 | $612,409‡ | $7.1M | — | 2026-10-21 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

Frank Auerbach's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (147 lots) median $3,175 with 95.9% sell-through. Paintings (155 lots) median $608,853, record $7,087,396. A typical Frank Auerbach painting sells for around 192× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 173 lots) the median is $612,409.

## Price by size

### Prints & Editions

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 97 | $2,391–$5,899†‡ | $3,469†‡ | $122,910 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 34 | $1,316–$3,494†‡ | $2,505†‡ | $8,004 |

† 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) | 45 | $217,286–$755,088 | $444,469 | $5M |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 70 | $408,594–$991,305‡ | $639,242‡ | $6.3M |
| large (over 120 cm) | 16 | $900,173–$3M | $2.5M | $7.1M |

‡ 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) | 72 | $8,408–$27,478†‡ | $14,498†‡ | $758,444 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 26 | $93,866–$471,633 | $151,646 | $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 | 2023 | $7.1M |
| Paintings | 2022 | $6.3M |
| Works on Paper | 2016 | $3.1M |
| Works on Paper | 2010 | $1.6M |
| Prints & Editions | 2024 | $122,910 |
| Prints & Editions | 2015 | $25,563 |

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 Frank Auerbach worth?

Across 427 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Frank Auerbach work is $26,101. The median Frank Auerbach painting sells for $608,853 across 139 lots. The median Frank Auerbach print sells for $3,175 across 141 lots. The median Frank Auerbach work on paper sells for $22,994 across 107 lots. Small (under 50 cm) Frank Auerbach prints typically sell for $2,391–$5,899 (the middle half of 97 sold lots). Small (under 50 cm) Frank Auerbach work on papers typically sell for $8,408–$27,478 (the middle half of 72 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 Frank Auerbach painting?

Based on 139 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Frank Auerbach painting is $608,853. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Frank Auerbach's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Frank Auerbach painting is $7,087,396.

### What is the average price of a Frank Auerbach print?

Based on 141 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Frank Auerbach print is $3,175. 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 Frank Auerbach's most expensive print?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Frank Auerbach print is $122,910.

### What is the average price of a Frank Auerbach work on paper?

Based on 107 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Frank Auerbach work on paper is $22,994. 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 Frank Auerbach's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Frank Auerbach work on paper is $3,064,346.

### What is the average price of a small Frank Auerbach print?

Based on 97 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Frank Auerbach print (small (under 50 cm)) is $3,469, 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 Frank Auerbach work on paper?

Based on 72 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Frank Auerbach work on paper (small (under 50 cm)) is $14,498, 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 Frank Auerbach's auction record?

Frank Auerbach's auction record is $7,087,396, set in 2023.

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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, “Frank Auerbach auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/frank-auerbach (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.