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

# Henry Wessel (1942–2018)

## What is Henry Wessel’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 50 auction results for Henry Wessel at 9 houses since 2004. Over the last 24 months the median price was $2,205 including buyer’s premium (middle half $1,905–$3,060, n=21). The auction record is $36,621 for Icons (2018, Kunsthaus Lempertz). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Icons, 1968 | Cartes-de-visite | $36,621 | Kunsthaus Lempertz | Nov 2018 |
| 2 | California, 1979, 1942 | Cartes-de-visite | $14,941 | Christie's | May 2012 |
| 3 | Selected Images | Gelatin silver prints | $10,080 | Sotheby's | Jul 2021 |
| 4 | Buena Vista, Colorado, 1942 | Cartes-de-visite | $10,000 | Christie's | Apr 2011 |
| 5 | Night Walk No. 28, Los Angeles, 1995, 1942 | Cartes-de-visite | $8,750 | Christie's | Oct 2011 |
| 6 | Southern California, 1985, 1942 | Gelatin silver print | $6,300 | Christie's | Feb 2024 |
| 7 | Real Estate Photographs, 1990 | Hand coloring | $5,881 | Kunsthaus Lempertz | Dec 2025 |
| 8 | Utah., 1974 | Silver print | $5,760 | Swann Auction Galleries | Feb 2013 |
| 9 | Santa Barbara, 1977, 1942 | Cartes-de-visite | $5,250 | Christie's | Dec 2010 |

**Top auction records: prints & editions**

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tucson, Arizona, 1974, 1942 | Cartes-de-visite | $7,500 | Christie's | Dec 2010 |

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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Photographs | 45 | $2,646 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 7 | $4,000 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 41 | $2,646 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 50 results from 9 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Henry Wessel is an American artist with 70 auction lots recorded since 2004, median price $3,250.

A work by Henry Wessel sold in 2026 for $3,302, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Henry Wessel work worth?

Across 50 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Henry Wessel work is $3,250.

The median Henry Wessel photograph sells for $2,853 across 47 lots.

The median Henry Wessel print sells for $4,191 across 2 lots.

Small (under 50 cm) Henry Wessel photographs typically sell for $1,912–$4,913 (the middle half of 39 sold lots).

## Price breakdown by category

| Category | Lots tracked | Median price | Record price | Sell-through | Last sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prints & Editions | 2 | $4,191 | $5,080 | — | 2026-10-15 |
| Photography | 54 | $2,853 | $36,621 | 87% | 2026-03-10 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 3 | $14,941 | $36,621 | — | 2021-07-28 |

## Price by size

### Photography

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 39 | $1,912–$4,913 | $2,540 | $36,621 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 7 | $3,181–$4,812 | $4,000 | $8,750 |

Size is the work's longest edge. Cells appear only with at least 5 sold lots.

## Notable results

| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Photography | 2018 | $36,621 |
| Photography | 2012 | $14,941 |
| Prints & Editions | 2026 | $5,080 |
| Prints & Editions | 2026 | $3,302 |

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 Henry Wessel worth?

Across 50 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Henry Wessel work is $3,250. The median Henry Wessel photograph sells for $2,853 across 47 lots. The median Henry Wessel print sells for $4,191 across 2 lots. Small (under 50 cm) Henry Wessel photographs typically sell for $1,912–$4,913 (the middle half of 39 sold lots).

### What is the average price of a Henry Wessel photograph?

Based on 47 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Henry Wessel photograph is $2,853.

### What is Henry Wessel's most expensive photograph?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Henry Wessel photograph is $36,621.

### What is the average price of a small Henry Wessel photograph?

Based on 39 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Henry Wessel photograph (small (under 50 cm)) is $2,540, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

### What is Henry Wessel's auction record?

Henry Wessel's auction record is $36,621, set in 2018.

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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, “Henry Wessel auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/henry-wessel (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.