> Source: https://www.openingbid.art/artist/irma-stern · updated 2026-11-03

# Irma Stern (1894–1966)

## What is Irma Stern’s work worth? {#value}

As of 3 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 387 auction results for Irma Stern at 13 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 $1,799,811 for Zanzibar Woman (2014, Bonhams). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Zanzibar Woman, 1894 | Oil on canvas | $1,799,811 | Bonhams | Mar 2014 |
| 2 | Lelemana Dance, 1894 | Painting | $1,667,026 | Bonhams | Oct 2021 |
| 3 | 'Still life with African Woman' within original Zanzibar frame, 1894 | Oil on canvas | $1,558,775 | Bonhams | Oct 2014 |
| 4 | Lady of the Harem, 1946 | Oil on canvas | $1,285,330 | Sotheby's | Sep 2024 |
| 5 | Arab with Dagger, 1894 | Painting | $1,282,531 | Bonhams | Mar 2021 |
| 6 | Malay (Black Headdress), 1946 | Oil on canvas | $1,261,514 | Strauss and Co | Oct 2025 |
| 7 | Congolese Woman, 1894 | Oil paint | $1,160,989 | Christie's | Dec 2007 |
| 8 | The Flower Market, Cape Town (recto); Cape coastal landscape with Cape Malays (verso), 1924 | Oil paint | $1,088,903 | Christie's | Jun 2012 |
| 9 | 'Arab in Black', 1894 | Oil on canvas | $1,061,896 | Bonhams | Sep 2015 |
| 10 | "Arab with Dagger", 1894 | Oil on canvas | $1,032,022 | Bonhams | Mar 2021 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 86 | $162,870 |
| Works on paper | 96 | $9,498 |
| Other | 14 | $3,876 |
| Prints | 24 | $2,587 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 107 | $87,800 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 84 | $5,486 |

Data as of 3 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 387 results from 13 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Irma Stern is a South African artist with 466 auction lots recorded since 2005, median price $17,462. 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 $120,750, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Irma Stern work worth?

Across 380 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Irma Stern work is $17,462.

The median Irma Stern work on paper sells for $9,039 across 154 lots.

The median Irma Stern painting sells for $130,493 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 | $130,493† | $1.7M | 82.9% | 2026-10-21 |
| Works on Paper | 158 | $9,039† | $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) | 61 | $306,577† | $1.8M | — | 2026-10-21 |

† 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 $130,493, record $1,667,026. A typical Irma Stern painting sells for around 50× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 61 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. The full sale history is in the OpeningBid app (free sign-up).

## Frequently asked questions

### What is a Irma Stern worth?

Across 380 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Irma Stern work is $17,462. The median Irma Stern work on paper sells for $9,039 across 154 lots. The median Irma Stern painting sells for $130,493 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 $9,039. 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 $130,493. 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 $1,799,811, set in 2014.

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Data last updated 2026-11-03. OpeningBid tracks 15,596,131 auction lots from 579 auction houses, refreshed nightly.

Cite this page as: OpeningBid, “Irma Stern auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/irma-stern (updated 2026-11-03).

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.