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

# Hans Hofmann (1902–1974)

## What is Hans Hofmann’s work worth? {#value}

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.

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

| # | 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 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 167 | $165,100 |
| Other | 21 | $34,000 |
| Works on paper | 105 | $13,750 |
| Prints | 15 | $4,320 |

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

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


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).

- [Hans Hofmann on OpeningBid](https://www.openingbid.art/artist/hans-hofmann?ref=kg:hans-hofmann) — follow free in the OpeningBid app for sale alerts.

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

## 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.

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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, “Hans Hofmann auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/hans-hofmann (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.