Hans Hofmann (1902–1974)
What is Hans Hofmann’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 330 auction results for Hans Hofmann at 26 houses since 1998. Over the last 24 months the median price was $38,700 including buyer’s premium (middle half $12,750–$279,400, n=45). The auction record is $8,862,500 for Lava (2017, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lava, 1960 | Oil paint | $8,862,500 | Christie's | Nov 2017 |
| 2 | Auxerre, 1960 | Oil paint | $6,325,000 | Christie's | May 2015 |
| 3 | Beatae Memoriae, 1964 | Oil paint | $4,827,750 | Christie's | May 2013 |
| 4 | Gloria in Excelsis | — | $4,297,000 | Sotheby's | May 2008 |
| 5 | Eine kleine Nachtmusik [A Nightly Love Song], 1964 | Oil paint | $4,215,000 | Christie's | Nov 2019 |
| 6 | Swamp Series IV--Sunburst, 1957 | Oil paint | $4,114,500 | Christie's | Nov 2012 |
| 7 | Te Deum, 1964 | Oil paint | $3,778,500 | Christie's | Nov 2012 |
| 8 | Lava, 1960 | Oil on canvas | $3,690,000 | Sotheby's | May 2024 |
| 9 | Kaleidos, 1958 | Oil paint | $3,554,500 | Christie's | May 2012 |
| 10 | Moonshine Sonata, 1961 | Oil on canvas | $3,492,500 | Sotheby's | Nov 2016 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 167 | $165,100 |
| Other | 21 | $34,000 |
| Works on paper | 105 | $13,750 |
| Prints | 15 | $4,320 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 67 | $810,000 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 109 | $56,700 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 98 | $10,220 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 330 results from 26 houses · How we compute these figures
Hans Hofmann is an Austrian artist with 400 auction lots recorded since 1998, median price $42,412. 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 Hans Hofmann sold in 2026 for $293,641, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
5 Hans Hofmann works are coming to auction (as of 2026-11-02). Follow Hans Hofmann free on OpeningBid for sale alerts.
See the full Hans Hofmann record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Hans Hofmann on OpeningBid →What is a Hans Hofmann work worth?
Across 325 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Hans Hofmann work is $42,412.
The median Hans Hofmann painting sells for $153,100 across 165 lots.
The median Hans Hofmann work on paper sells for $12,550 across 93 lots.
The median Hans Hofmann print sells for $2,657 across 16 lots.
Medium (50–120 cm) Hans Hofmann paintings typically sell for $49,288–$157,800 (the middle half of 71 sold lots).
Large (over 120 cm) Hans Hofmann paintings typically sell for $477,125–$2,406,875 (the middle half of 60 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 | 18 | $2,657† | $16,000 | 88.9% | 2025-03-14 |
| Paintings | 179 | $153,100‡ | $8.9M | 92.2% | 2026-09-30 |
| Works on Paper | 104 | $12,550†‡ | $3.5M | 89.4% | 2026-10-01 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 108 | $491,250 | $8.9M | — | 2026-09-30 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Hans Hofmann's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (18 lots) median $2,657 with 88.9% sell-through. Paintings (179 lots) median $153,100, record $8,862,500. A typical Hans Hofmann painting sells for around 58× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 108 lots) the median is $491,250.
Price by size
Prints & Editions
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 14 | $1,450–$6,188† | $2,657† | $16,000 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.
Paintings
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 24 | $10,180–$36,162 | $14,602 | $94,500 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 71 | $49,288–$157,800‡ | $82,250‡ | $1.5M |
| large (over 120 cm) | 60 | $477,125–$2.4M | $884,500 | $8.9M |
‡ 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) | 60 | $4,055–$14,505†‡ | $10,080†‡ | $90,000 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 30 | $16,500–$40,000 | $32,250 | $97,500 |
† 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 | $8.9M |
| Paintings | 2015 | $6.3M |
| Works on Paper | 2016 | $3.5M |
| Works on Paper | 2021 | $97,500 |
| Prints & Editions | 2008 | $16,000 |
| Prints & Editions | 2008 | $10,800 |
The highest recorded result in each medium. See the full sale history on OpeningBid.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Hans Hofmann worth?
Across 325 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Hans Hofmann work is $42,412. The median Hans Hofmann painting sells for $153,100 across 165 lots. The median Hans Hofmann work on paper sells for $12,550 across 93 lots. The median Hans Hofmann print sells for $2,657 across 16 lots. Medium (50–120 cm) Hans Hofmann paintings typically sell for $49,288–$157,800 (the middle half of 71 sold lots). Large (over 120 cm) Hans Hofmann paintings typically sell for $477,125–$2,406,875 (the middle half of 60 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 Hans Hofmann painting?
Based on 165 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Hans Hofmann painting is $153,100. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).
What is Hans Hofmann's most expensive painting?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Hans Hofmann painting is $8,862,500.
What is the average price of a Hans Hofmann work on paper?
Based on 93 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Hans Hofmann work on paper is $12,550. 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 Hans Hofmann's most expensive work on paper?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Hans Hofmann work on paper is $3,492,500.
What is the average price of a Hans Hofmann print?
Based on 16 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Hans Hofmann print is $2,657. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.
What is Hans Hofmann's most expensive print?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Hans Hofmann print is $16,000.
What is the average price of a medium Hans Hofmann painting?
Based on 71 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Hans Hofmann painting (medium (50–120 cm)) is $82,250, 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 large Hans Hofmann painting?
Based on 60 sold lots, the median auction price of a large Hans Hofmann painting (large (over 120 cm)) is $884,500, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
What is Hans Hofmann's auction record?
Hans Hofmann's auction record is $8,862,500, set in 2017.
See the full Hans Hofmann record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Hans Hofmann on OpeningBid →