Irma Stern (1894–1966)
What is Irma Stern’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 382 auction results for Irma Stern at 12 houses since 2005. Over the last 24 months the median price was $15,116 including buyer’s premium (middle half $5,549–$63,289, n=70). The auction record is $1,667,026 for Lelemana Dance (2021, Bonhams). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lelemana Dance, 1894 | Painting | $1,667,026 | Bonhams | Oct 2021 |
| 2 | 'Still life with African Woman' within original Zanzibar frame, 1894 | Oil on canvas | $1,558,775 | Bonhams | Oct 2014 |
| 3 | Lady of the Harem, 1946 | Oil on canvas | $1,285,330 | Sotheby's | Sep 2024 |
| 4 | Arab with Dagger, 1894 | Painting | $1,282,531 | Bonhams | Mar 2021 |
| 5 | Malay (Black Headdress), 1946 | Oil on canvas | $1,261,514 | Strauss and Co | Oct 2025 |
| 6 | Congolese Woman, 1894 | Oil paint | $1,160,989 | Christie's | Dec 2007 |
| 7 | The Flower Market, Cape Town (recto); Cape coastal landscape with Cape Malays (verso), 1924 | Oil paint | $1,088,903 | Christie's | Jun 2012 |
| 8 | 'Arab in Black', 1894 | Oil on canvas | $1,061,896 | Bonhams | Sep 2015 |
| 9 | "Arab with Dagger", 1894 | Oil on canvas | $1,032,022 | Bonhams | Mar 2021 |
| 10 | The Smoker, 1945 | Oil on canvas | $904,889 | Strauss and Co | Mar 2024 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 81 | $162,724 |
| Works on paper | 85 | $10,241 |
| Other | 13 | $5,346 |
| Prints | 23 | $2,598 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 99 | $93,792 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 74 | $5,486 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 382 results from 12 houses · How we compute these figures
Irma Stern is a South African artist with 458 auction lots recorded since 2005, median price $18,219. Some sold prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium; they are marked on this page.
A work by Irma Stern sold in 2026 for $93,792, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
See the full Irma Stern record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Irma Stern on OpeningBid →What is a Irma Stern work worth?
Across 375 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Irma Stern work is $18,219.
The median Irma Stern work on paper sells for $9,279 across 154 lots.
The median Irma Stern painting sells for $133,187 across 107 lots.
The median Irma Stern print sells for $2,598 across 38 lots.
Medium (50–120 cm) Irma Stern paintings typically sell for $69,104–$399,257 (the middle half of 73 sold lots).
Small (under 50 cm) Irma Stern work on papers typically sell for $4,454–$13,847 (the middle half of 41 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 | 38 | $2,598† | $8,030 | — | 2026-03-24 |
| Paintings | 129 | $133,187† | $1.7M | 82.9% | 2026-10-21 |
| Works on Paper | 158 | $9,279† | $86,671 | 97.5% | 2026-10-21 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 1 | — | — | — | 2011-05-16 |
| Photography | 2 | $1,370 | $1,370 | — | 2022-06-08 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 57 | $306,577† | $1.7M | — | 2026-06-23 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.
Irma Stern's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (38 lots) median $2,598. Paintings (129 lots) median $133,187, record $1,667,026. A typical Irma Stern painting sells for around 51× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 57 lots) the median is $306,577.
Price by size
Prints & Editions
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 23 | $2,054–$4,655† | $2,598† | $8,030 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.
Paintings
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 11 | $15,075–$36,187 | $20,516 | $59,300 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 73 | $69,104–$399,257† | $189,573† | $1.7M |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.
Works on Paper
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 41 | $4,454–$13,847† | $7,093† | $40,862† |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 32 | $7,126–$23,067† | $10,674† | $86,671 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.
Size is the work's longest edge. Cells appear only with at least 5 sold lots.
Notable results
| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 2021 | $1.7M |
| Paintings | 2024 | $1.3M |
| Works on Paper | 2007 | $86,671 |
| Works on Paper | 2026 | $49,444 |
| Prints & Editions | 2017 | $8,030 |
| Prints & Editions | 2026 | $7,093 |
| Photography | 2016 | $1,370 |
The highest recorded result in each medium. See the full sale history on OpeningBid.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Irma Stern worth?
Across 375 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Irma Stern work is $18,219. The median Irma Stern work on paper sells for $9,279 across 154 lots. The median Irma Stern painting sells for $133,187 across 107 lots. The median Irma Stern print sells for $2,598 across 38 lots. Medium (50–120 cm) Irma Stern paintings typically sell for $69,104–$399,257 (the middle half of 73 sold lots). Small (under 50 cm) Irma Stern work on papers typically sell for $4,454–$13,847 (the middle half of 41 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 Irma Stern work on paper?
Based on 154 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Irma Stern work on paper is $9,279. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.
What is Irma Stern's most expensive work on paper?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Irma Stern work on paper is $86,671.
What is the average price of a Irma Stern painting?
Based on 107 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Irma Stern painting is $133,187. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.
What is Irma Stern's most expensive painting?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Irma Stern painting is $1,667,026.
What is the average price of a Irma Stern print?
Based on 38 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Irma Stern print is $2,598. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.
What is Irma Stern's most expensive print?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Irma Stern print is $8,030.
What is the average price of a medium Irma Stern painting?
Based on 73 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Irma Stern painting (medium (50–120 cm)) is $189,573, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.
What is the average price of a small Irma Stern work on paper?
Based on 41 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Irma Stern work on paper (small (under 50 cm)) is $7,093, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.
What is Irma Stern's auction record?
Irma Stern's auction record is $1,667,026, set in 2021.
See the full Irma Stern record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Irma Stern on OpeningBid →