Henri Cartier-Bresson (1908–2004)
What is Henri Cartier-Bresson’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 1,860 auction results for Henri Cartier-Bresson at 61 houses since 1992. Over the last 24 months the median price was $6,227 including buyer’s premium (middle half $2,217–$10,040, n=192). The auction record is $591,045 for Derrière la gare Saint-Lazare, Paris, 1932 (2011, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Derrière la gare Saint-Lazare, Paris, 1932, 1946 | Signé au crayon; cachet du photographe et cachet de copyright du photographe et de | $591,045 | Christie's | Nov 2011 |
| 2 | On the Banks of the Marne, France, 1950 | Cartes-de-visite | $212,500 | Phillips | Apr 2017 |
| 3 | Italy, 1933, 1908 | Cartes-de-visite | $204,000 | Christie's | Feb 2007 |
| 4 | Behind the Gare Saint-Lazare, Paris, 1947 | Cartes-de-visite | $170,788 | Phillips | May 2017 |
| 5 | Córdoba, Spain | Cartes-de-visite | $161,000 | Phillips | Oct 2014 |
| 6 | Natcho Aguirre, Santa Clara, Mexique, 1934, 1934 | Tirage argentique monté sur support cartonné | $107,682 | Christie's | Nov 2015 |
| 7 | Alberto Giacometti à la Galerie Maeght, Paris, 1961, 1999 | Gelatin silver print | $102,921 | Christie's | Nov 2011 |
| 8 | Hyères, France | Cartes-de-visite | $100,000 | Phillips | Dec 2017 |
| 9 | Couronnement du roi George VI, Trafalgar Square, Londres, 12 mai 1937, 1957 | Gelatin silver print | $96,369 | Christie's | Nov 2011 |
| 10 | Srinagar, Cachemire, Inde, 1948, 1908 | Signé au crayon; titré et daté 'isolé Inde 48' à l'encre (au verso); cachet du photographe et | $96,369 | Christie's | Nov 2011 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Photographs | 1,451 | $8,750 |
| Works on paper | 83 | $7,800 |
| Other | 151 | $6,155 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 32 | $11,152 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 1,504 | $8,750 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 1,860 results from 61 houses · How we compute these figures
Henri Cartier-Bresson is a French artist with 2,461 auction lots recorded since 1992, median price $7,767. 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 Henri Cartier-Bresson sold in 2026 for $10,795, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
10 Henri Cartier-Bresson works are coming to auction (as of 2026-11-02). Follow Henri Cartier-Bresson free on OpeningBid for sale alerts.
See the full Henri Cartier-Bresson record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Henri Cartier-Bresson on OpeningBid →What is a Henri Cartier-Bresson work worth?
Across 1,856 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Henri Cartier-Bresson work is $7,767.
The median Henri Cartier-Bresson photograph sells for $8,125 across 1,655 lots.
The median Henri Cartier-Bresson print sells for $1,439 across 22 lots.
The median Henri Cartier-Bresson work on paper sells for $7,500 across 9 lots.
Small (under 50 cm) Henri Cartier-Bresson photographs typically sell for $4,418–$15,120 (the middle half of 1,498 sold lots).
Medium (50–120 cm) Henri Cartier-Bresson photographs typically sell for $3,965–$16,481 (the middle half of 20 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 | 23 | $1,439†‡ | $11,034 | 95.7% | 2026-10-15 |
| Works on Paper | 10 | $7,500 | $31,280 | 90% | 2026-03-25 |
| Photography | 1,942 | $8,125†‡ | $591,045 | 85.2% | 2026-10-09 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 101 | $38,445 | $591,045 | — | 2025-11-19 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Price by size
Prints & Editions
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 19 | $459–$6,350 | $1,500 | $11,034 |
Works on Paper
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 7 | $2,054–$25,882 | $7,500 | $31,280 |
Photography
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 1,498 | $4,418–$15,120†‡ | $8,750†‡ | $591,045 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 20 | $3,965–$16,481‡ | $11,418‡ | $32,500 |
† 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Photography | 2011 | $591,045 |
| Photography | 2017 | $212,500 |
| Works on Paper | 2015 | $31,280 |
| Works on Paper | 2013 | $27,500 |
| Prints & Editions | 2019 | $11,034 |
| Prints & Editions | 2026 | $10,795 |
The highest recorded result in each medium. See the full sale history on OpeningBid.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Henri Cartier-Bresson worth?
Across 1,856 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Henri Cartier-Bresson work is $7,767. The median Henri Cartier-Bresson photograph sells for $8,125 across 1,655 lots. The median Henri Cartier-Bresson print sells for $1,439 across 22 lots. The median Henri Cartier-Bresson work on paper sells for $7,500 across 9 lots. Small (under 50 cm) Henri Cartier-Bresson photographs typically sell for $4,418–$15,120 (the middle half of 1,498 sold lots). Medium (50–120 cm) Henri Cartier-Bresson photographs typically sell for $3,965–$16,481 (the middle half of 20 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 Henri Cartier-Bresson photograph?
Based on 1,655 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Henri Cartier-Bresson photograph is $8,125. 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 Henri Cartier-Bresson's most expensive photograph?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Henri Cartier-Bresson photograph is $591,045.
What is the average price of a Henri Cartier-Bresson print?
Based on 22 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Henri Cartier-Bresson print is $1,439. 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 Henri Cartier-Bresson's most expensive print?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Henri Cartier-Bresson print is $11,034.
What is the average price of a small Henri Cartier-Bresson photograph?
Based on 1,498 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Henri Cartier-Bresson photograph (small (under 50 cm)) is $8,750, 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 medium Henri Cartier-Bresson photograph?
Based on 20 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Henri Cartier-Bresson photograph (medium (50–120 cm)) is $11,418, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).
What is Henri Cartier-Bresson's auction record?
Henri Cartier-Bresson's auction record is $591,045, set in 2011.
See the full Henri Cartier-Bresson record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Henri Cartier-Bresson on OpeningBid →