> Source: https://www.openingbid.art/artist/hugo-claus-2 · updated 2026-11-02

# Hugo Claus (1929–2008)

## What is Hugo Claus’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 48 auction results for Hugo Claus at 2 houses since 2019. Over the last 24 months the median price was $266 including buyer’s premium (middle half $216–$476, n=15). The auction record is $3,070 for Jessica!/ a play (2023, Galerie Bernaerts). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jessica!/ a play, 1977 | Book with seven original watercolours | $3,070 | Galerie Bernaerts | May 2023 |
| 2 | Erotic nudes, 1980 | Crayon, gouache | $1,696 | Galerie Bernaerts | Nov 2023 |
| 3 | HUGO CLAUS (1929-2008) | Watercolour and ink | $1,570 | Galerie Bernaerts | Feb 2020 |
| 4 | Kleine Reeks. Gedichten, 1947 | Book, 31 gen.pp. Ingenaaid onder orig. omslag | $1,298 | Galerie Bernaerts | Apr 2021 |
| 5 | Zelfportret, 1977 | Watercolour and pastel | $1,180 | Galerie Bernaerts | Apr 2025 |
| 6 | Het Jansenisme/ Wangebeden | Proof prints and text sheets, some prints coloured with watercolour | $1,103 | Galerie Bernaerts | Feb 2021 |
| 7 | Registreren, 1948 | Book on Metropole-papier | $1,069 | Galerie Bernaerts | Apr 2021 |

**Top auction records: prints & editions**

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Het Jansenisme, 1975 | Five lithographs heightened with watercolour | $1,073 | Galerie Bernaerts | Sep 2020 |
| 2 | (Claus) Hugo Claus/ Roel D'Haese, Jan de Lichte. (Antwerpen), Ziggurat, (1981). In-8°. Een van de 100 met de hand in pot, 1981 | Collection of editions including lithography | $1,032 | Galerie Bernaerts | Nov 2021 |
| 3 | Fuga and Het Jansenisme, 1979 | 1975 | Eight color lithographs and four original lithographs | $884 | Galerie Bernaerts | Mar 2019 |

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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Works on paper | 10 | $957 |
| Prints | 12 | $449 |
| Other | 21 | $232 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Small (under 50 cm) | 6 | $682 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 48 results from 2 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Hugo Claus is an artist with 51 auction lots recorded since 2019, median price $407. Some sold prices are not yet verified as premium-inclusive or hammer, and are marked on this page.

A work by Hugo Claus is recorded as sold in 2026 for $4,102; whether the price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Hugo Claus work worth?

Across 48 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Hugo Claus work is $407.

The median Hugo Claus print sells for $366 across 29 lots.

The median Hugo Claus work on paper sells for $552 across 11 lots.

The median Hugo Claus photograph sells for $164 across 1 lots.

Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

## Price breakdown by category

| Category | Lots tracked | Median price | Record price | Sell-through | Last sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prints & Editions | 30 | $366 | $1,298 | 96.7% | 2026-01-28 |
| Works on Paper | 11 | $552 | $3,070 | — | 2026-03-13 |
| Photography | 1 | $164 | $164 | — | 2022-05-19 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 3 | $3,070‡ | $4,102‡ | — | 2026-06-13 |

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

## Price by size

### Works on Paper

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 6 | $539–$1,088 | $682 | $1,696 |

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

## Notable results

| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Works on Paper | 2023 | $3,070 |
| Works on Paper | 2023 | $1,696 |
| Prints & Editions | 2021 | $1,298 |
| Prints & Editions | 2021 | $1,103 |
| Photography | 2022 | $164 |

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 Hugo Claus worth?

Across 48 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Hugo Claus work is $407. The median Hugo Claus print sells for $366 across 29 lots. The median Hugo Claus work on paper sells for $552 across 11 lots. The median Hugo Claus photograph sells for $164 across 1 lots. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is the average price of a Hugo Claus print?

Based on 29 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Hugo Claus print is $366.

### What is Hugo Claus's most expensive print?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Hugo Claus print is $1,298.

### What is the average price of a Hugo Claus work on paper?

Based on 11 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Hugo Claus work on paper is $552.

### What is Hugo Claus's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Hugo Claus work on paper is $3,070.

### What is Hugo Claus's auction record?

Hugo Claus's auction record is $4,102, set in 2026. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.

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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, “Hugo Claus auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/hugo-claus-2 (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.