Ida Kar (1908–1974)
What is Ida Kar’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 23 auction results for Ida Kar at 9 houses since 1992. Over the last 24 months the median price was $688 including buyer’s premium (middle half $440–$689, n=5). The auction record is $21,049 for Selected portraits (2004, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Selected portraits, 1954-1960 | Gelatin silver prints | $21,049 | Christie's | Nov 2004 |
| 2 | L'Etreinte (The Embrace) | Vintage silver print | $3,052 | Sotheby's | Jan 2018 |
| 3 | Portrait of Fidel Castro, 1964 | Silver print | $2,860 | Swann Auction Galleries | Apr 1992 |
| 4 | Portrait of Fidel Castro, 1964 | Portrait of Fidel Castro, 1964 Silver print | $2,600 | Swann Auction Galleries | Apr 1992 |
| 5 | Portrait of Brassai with his grafitti photographs | Portrait | $1,380 | Swann Auction Galleries | Oct 2001 |
| 6 | Georges Braques, 1960 | Gelatin silver print | $1,362 | Christie's | Oct 2000 |
| 7 | PORTRAIT OF CRAIGIE AITCHISON, 1957 | Signed in Chinagraph pencil (lower right), vintage gelatin silver print | $819 | Lyon & Turnbull | Oct 2024 |
| 8 | Three Studies of Marcel Duchamp, circa 1950s | Pencil with Kar | $743 | Chiswick Auctions | May 2026 |
| 9 | Marie Laurencin, 1954 | Bromide print | $689 | Sworders | Mar 2026 |
| 10 | Marie Laurencin, 1908 | Bromide print | $688 | Sworders | Jun 2026 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Photographs | 10 | $1,090 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Small (under 50 cm) | 11 | $743 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 23 results from 9 houses · How we compute these figures
Ida Kar is a British (modern) artist with 23 auction lots recorded since 1992, median price $819. Some sold prices are not yet verified as premium-inclusive or hammer, and are marked on this page.
A work by Ida Kar sold in 2024 for $819, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
See the full Ida Kar record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Ida Kar on OpeningBid →What is a Ida Kar work worth?
Across 23 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Ida Kar work is $819.
The median Ida Kar photograph sells for $832 across 22 lots.
The median Ida Kar print sells for $743 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 | 1 | $743 | $743 | — | 2026-05-21 |
| Photography | 22 | $832‡ | $21,049 | — | 2026-06-18 |
‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Price by size
Photography
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 13 | $440–$1,708‡ | $819‡ | $21,049 |
‡ 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 | 2004 | $21,049 |
| Photography | 2018 | $3,052 |
| Prints & Editions | 2026 | $743 |
The highest recorded result in each medium. See the full sale history on OpeningBid.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Ida Kar worth?
Across 23 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Ida Kar work is $819. The median Ida Kar photograph sells for $832 across 22 lots. The median Ida Kar print sells for $743 across 1 lots. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).
What is the average price of a Ida Kar photograph?
Based on 22 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Ida Kar photograph is $832. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).
What is Ida Kar's most expensive photograph?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Ida Kar photograph is $21,049.
What is the average price of a small Ida Kar photograph?
Based on 13 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Ida Kar photograph (small (under 50 cm)) is $819, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).
What is Ida Kar's auction record?
Ida Kar's auction record is $21,049, set in 2004.
See the full Ida Kar record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Ida Kar on OpeningBid →