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

# Josef Koudelka (b. 1938)

## What is Josef Koudelka’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 157 auction results for Josef Koudelka at 17 houses since 2001. Over the last 24 months the median price was $7,663 including buyer’s premium (middle half $3,833–$11,161, n=19). The auction record is $283,800 for Gypsies (2025, Phillips). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gypsies, 1619 | Paris: Self-published, 1989. Sixty gelatin silver prints | $283,800 | Phillips | Oct 2025 |
| 2 | Selected Images of Prague, 2008 | Inkjet | $101,600 | Sotheby's | May 2023 |
| 3 | Parc de Sceaux, Hauts-de-Seine, France, 1987 | Cartes-de-visite | $47,880 | Sotheby's | Oct 2021 |
| 4 | Romania, 1968, 1980 | Cartes-de-visite | $43,750 | Christie's | Apr 2011 |
| 5 | France | Cartes-de-visite | $40,000 | Phillips | Apr 2017 |
| 6 | France, 1987, 1938 | Cartes-de-visite | $40,000 | Christie's | Oct 2018 |
| 7 | France | Cartes-de-visite | $37,500 | Phillips | Oct 2018 |
| 8 | Spain, 1971, 1992 | Cartes-de-visite | $32,500 | Christie's | Apr 2016 |
| 9 | Czechoslovakia, 1968 | Silver print | $30,000 | Swann Auction Galleries | Oct 2020 |

**Top auction records: prints & editions**

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Czechoslovakia, 1968, 1938 | Cartes-de-visite | $30,000 | Christie's | Oct 2013 |

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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Photographs | 117 | $11,034 |
| Works on paper | 9 | $9,600 |
| Other | 24 | $7,350 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 60 | $14,485 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 68 | $9,128 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 157 results from 17 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Josef Koudelka is a Czech artist with 226 auction lots recorded since 2001, median price $9,800. Some sold prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium; they are marked on this page. Some sold prices are not yet verified as premium-inclusive or hammer, and are marked on this page.

A work by Josef Koudelka sold in 2026 for $10,965, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

**3 Josef Koudelka works are coming to auction** (as of 2026-11-02).

- [Josef Koudelka on OpeningBid](https://www.openingbid.art/artist/josef-koudelka?ref=kg:josef-koudelka) — follow free in the OpeningBid app for sale alerts.

## What is a Josef Koudelka work worth?

Across 157 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Josef Koudelka work is $9,800.

The median Josef Koudelka photograph sells for $10,795 across 134 lots.

The median Josef Koudelka print sells for $12,601 across 3 lots.

The median Josef Koudelka work on paper sells for $228 across 1 lots.

Small (under 50 cm) Josef Koudelka photographs typically sell for $5,455–$13,475 (the middle half of 67 sold lots).

Medium (50–120 cm) Josef Koudelka photographs typically sell for $8,055–$24,688 (the middle half of 58 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 | 3 | $12,601‡ | $12,711 | — | 2014-05-08 |
| Works on Paper | 1 | $228 | $228 | — | 2025-03-31 |
| Photography | 161 | $10,795‡ | $283,800 | 83.2% | 2026-10-08 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 8 | $41,875 | $283,800 | — | 2025-10-09 |

‡ 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) | 67 | $5,455–$13,475‡ | $9,450‡ | $25,400 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 58 | $8,055–$24,688 | $15,120 | $283,800 |

‡ 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 | 2025 | $283,800 |
| Photography | 2023 | $101,600 |
| Prints & Editions | 2014 | $12,711 |
| Prints & Editions | 2013 | $12,601 |
| Works on Paper | 2025 | $228 |

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 Josef Koudelka worth?

Across 157 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Josef Koudelka work is $9,800. The median Josef Koudelka photograph sells for $10,795 across 134 lots. The median Josef Koudelka print sells for $12,601 across 3 lots. The median Josef Koudelka work on paper sells for $228 across 1 lots. Small (under 50 cm) Josef Koudelka photographs typically sell for $5,455–$13,475 (the middle half of 67 sold lots). Medium (50–120 cm) Josef Koudelka photographs typically sell for $8,055–$24,688 (the middle half of 58 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 Josef Koudelka photograph?

Based on 134 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Josef Koudelka photograph is $10,795. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Josef Koudelka's most expensive photograph?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Josef Koudelka photograph is $283,800.

### What is the average price of a small Josef Koudelka photograph?

Based on 67 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Josef Koudelka photograph (small (under 50 cm)) is $9,450, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is the average price of a medium Josef Koudelka photograph?

Based on 58 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Josef Koudelka photograph (medium (50–120 cm)) is $15,120, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

### What is Josef Koudelka's auction record?

Josef Koudelka's auction record is $283,800, set in 2025.

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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, “Josef Koudelka auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/josef-koudelka (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.