> Source: https://www.openingbid.art/artist/karl-bodmer-2 · updated 2026-11-02

# Karl Bodmer (1809–1893)

Karl Bodmer is a Swiss artist with 108 auction lots recorded since 1997, median price $1,510. 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 Karl Bodmer sold in 2026 for $8,450, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

**1 Karl Bodmer work is coming to auction** (as of 2026-11-02).

- [Karl Bodmer on OpeningBid](https://www.openingbid.art/artist/karl-bodmer?ref=kg:karl-bodmer) — follow free in the OpeningBid app for sale alerts.

## What is a Karl Bodmer work worth?

Across 71 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Karl Bodmer work is $1,510.

The median Karl Bodmer print sells for $1,600 across 55 lots.

The median Karl Bodmer work on paper sells for $771 across 10 lots.

The median Karl Bodmer painting sells for $676 across 3 lots.

Medium (50–120 cm) Karl Bodmer prints typically sell for $1,088–$4,150 (the middle half of 28 sold lots).

Small (under 50 cm) Karl Bodmer prints typically sell for $445–$2,209 (the middle half of 24 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 | 68 | $1,600†‡ | $14,571† | 80.9% | 2026-06-23 |
| Paintings | 13 | $676 | $8,450 | 23.1% | 2026-06-18 |
| Works on Paper | 14 | $771†‡ | $60,960 | 71.4% | 2023-04-20 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 4 | $36,477†‡ | $60,960 | — | 2023-04-20 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.

Karl Bodmer's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (68 lots) median $1,600 with 80.9% sell-through. Paintings (13 lots) median $676, record $8,450. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 4 lots) the median is $36,477.

## Price by size

### Prints & Editions

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 24 | $445–$2,209†‡ | $1,398†‡ | $4,700 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 28 | $1,088–$4,150†‡ | $1,951†‡ | $14,571† |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.

### Works on Paper

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 6 | $323–$27,262†‡ | $787†‡ | $60,960 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

‡ 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Works on Paper | 2023 | $60,960 |
| Works on Paper | 2014 | $35,954‡ |
| Prints & Editions | 2005 | $14,571† |
| Prints & Editions | 2022 | $10,000 |
| Paintings | 2026 | $8,450 |
| Paintings | 2026 | $676 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.

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 Bodmer worth?

Across 71 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Karl Bodmer work is $1,510. The median Karl Bodmer print sells for $1,600 across 55 lots. The median Karl Bodmer work on paper sells for $771 across 10 lots. The median Karl Bodmer painting sells for $676 across 3 lots. Medium (50–120 cm) Karl Bodmer prints typically sell for $1,088–$4,150 (the middle half of 28 sold lots). Small (under 50 cm) Karl Bodmer prints typically sell for $445–$2,209 (the middle half of 24 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 Karl Bodmer print?

Based on 55 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Karl Bodmer print is $1,600. 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 Karl Bodmer's most expensive print?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Karl Bodmer print is $14,571. That record lot sold for a hammer price of $14,571 (buyer's premium not included).

### What is the average price of a Karl Bodmer work on paper?

Based on 10 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Karl Bodmer work on paper is $771. 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 Karl Bodmer's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Karl Bodmer work on paper is $60,960.

### What is the average price of a Karl Bodmer painting?

Based on 3 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Karl Bodmer painting is $676.

### What is Karl Bodmer's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Karl Bodmer painting is $8,450.

### What is the average price of a medium Karl Bodmer print?

Based on 28 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Karl Bodmer print (medium (50–120 cm)) is $1,951, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. 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 small Karl Bodmer print?

Based on 24 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Karl Bodmer print (small (under 50 cm)) is $1,398, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. 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 Karl Bodmer's auction record?

Karl Bodmer's auction record is $60,960, set in 2023.

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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, “Karl Bodmer auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/karl-bodmer-2 (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.
