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

# Karl Benjamin (1925–2012)

## What is Karl Benjamin’s work worth? {#value}

As of 3 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 14 auction results for Karl Benjamin at 5 houses since 2011. Over the last 24 months the median price was $19,000 including buyer’s premium (middle half $8,875–$34,300, n=6). The auction record is $78,000 for Totem Group V (2024, Sotheby's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Totem Group V, 1957 | Oil on canvas | $78,000 | Sotheby's | Nov 2024 |
| 2 | #4, 1972 | — | $38,400 | Sotheby's | Jul 2026 |
| 3 | FS #8, 1962 | Oil on canvas | $33,750 | John Moran Auctioneers | Jun 2023 |
| 4 | Untitled, 1967 | Oil on linen | $22,000 | Wright | Jul 2025 |
| 5 | Bars- Black, Purple, 1958 | Oil on canvas | $19,200 | Sotheby's | Oct 2024 |
| 6 | Untitled, 1966 | Oil on canvas | $16,000 | Wright | Sep 2025 |
| 7 | Curves In and Out (CIO) #5, 1963 | Oil on canvas | $13,970 | Sotheby's | May 2024 |
| 8 | Column #1, 1988 | Oil on canvas mounted on wood | $6,500 | Sotheby's | Aug 2026 |
| 9 | Untitled #38, 1964 | Painting | $6,250 | Los Angeles Modern Auctions | Mar 2011 |
| 10 | Column #3, 1987 | Oil on canvas mounted on wood | $5,376 | Sotheby's | Oct 2026 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 10 | $14,985 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 5 | $3,437 |

Data as of 3 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 14 results from 5 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Karl Benjamin is an artist with 20 auction lots recorded since 2011, median price $10,235.

A work by Karl Benjamin sold in 2026 for $38,400, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Karl Benjamin work worth?

Across 14 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Karl Benjamin work is $10,235.

The median Karl Benjamin painting sells for $13,970 across 7 lots.

The median Karl Benjamin print sells for $650 across 1 lots.

## Price breakdown by category

| Category | Lots tracked | Median price | Record price | Sell-through | Last sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prints & Editions | 1 | $650 | $650 | — | 2020-05-28 |
| Paintings | 10 | $13,970 | $78,000 | 70% | 2026-10-08 |

Karl Benjamin's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (1 lots) median $650. Paintings (10 lots) median $13,970, record $78,000. A typical Karl Benjamin painting sells for around 21× the price of a typical print.

## Notable results

| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 2024 | $78,000 |
| Paintings | 2023 | $33,750 |
| Prints & Editions | 2020 | $650 |

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 Karl Benjamin worth?

Across 14 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Karl Benjamin work is $10,235. The median Karl Benjamin painting sells for $13,970 across 7 lots. The median Karl Benjamin print sells for $650 across 1 lots.

### What is Karl Benjamin's auction record?

Karl Benjamin's auction record is $78,000, set in 2024.

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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, “Karl Benjamin auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/karl-benjamin (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.