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

# Karl Fred Dahmen (1917–2017)

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

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 315 auction results for Karl Fred Dahmen at 27 houses since 1993. Over the last 24 months the median price was $603 including buyer’s premium (middle half $377–$4,697, n=15). The auction record is $83,021 for Ein Tag (2007, Ketterer Kunst). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ein Tag, 1964 | Mischtechnik auf Leinwand | $83,021 | Ketterer Kunst | Dec 2007 |
| 2 | Untitled, 1959 | Mixed media on canvas | $45,105 | Ketterer Kunst | Dec 2025 |
| 3 | Objektkasten grün 3 Flaschen, 1975 | Objektkasten | $33,300 | Van Ham Kunstauktionen | Jun 2023 |
| 4 | Terrestrial formation, 1957 | Mixed media on canvas | $31,215 | Karl & Faber | Dec 2018 |
| 5 | Untitled, 1959 | Mixed media on canvas | $26,773 | Ketterer Kunst | Jun 2019 |
| 6 | Peinture, 1961 | Mixed media on canvas | $21,575 | Ketterer Kunst | Jun 2013 |
| 7 | Zone I, 1960 | Oil on canvas | $18,256 | Ketterer Kunst | Jun 2013 |
| 8 | Ohne Titel, 1957 | Mixed media on burlap | $17,631 | Ketterer Kunst | Jun 2018 |
| 9 | Nevada, 1979 | Mischtechnik auf Leinwand | $16,650 | Van Ham Kunstauktionen | Jun 2022 |
| 10 | Vertikale Figur II, 1960 | Mixed media with oil and sand on canvas | $16,596 | Ketterer Kunst | Jun 2013 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 45 | $9,238 |
| Other | 50 | $3,872 |
| Works on paper | 17 | $2,877 |
| Prints | 19 | $301 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 14 | $16,543 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 80 | $5,289 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 35 | $2,261 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 315 results from 27 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Karl Fred Dahmen is a German artist with 509 auction lots recorded since 1990, median price $2,950. 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 Fred Dahmen sold in 2026 for $11,346, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Karl Fred Dahmen work worth?

Across 312 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Karl Fred Dahmen work is $2,950.

The median Karl Fred Dahmen painting sells for $8,139 across 77 lots.

The median Karl Fred Dahmen print sells for $243 across 57 lots.

The median Karl Fred Dahmen work on paper sells for $2,649 across 54 lots.

Medium (50–120 cm) Karl Fred Dahmen paintings typically sell for $5,828–$11,351 (the middle half of 50 sold lots).

Medium (50–120 cm) Karl Fred Dahmen prints typically sell for $216–$310 (the middle half of 38 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 | 96 | $243†‡ | $4,541 | 59.4% | 2024-09-26 |
| Paintings | 101 | $8,139†‡ | $83,021 | 76.2% | 2026-06-10 |
| Works on Paper | 76 | $2,649†‡ | $13,210 | 71.1% | 2023-02-08 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 1 | — | — | 0% | — |
| Photography | 1 | $375 | $375 | — | 2007-02-03 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 16 | $20,309‡ | $83,021 | — | 2025-12-07 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

Karl Fred Dahmen's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (96 lots) median $243 with 59.4% sell-through. Paintings (101 lots) median $8,139, record $83,021. A typical Karl Fred Dahmen painting sells for around 33× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 16 lots) the median is $20,309.

## Price by size

### Prints & Editions

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 17 | $151–$444†‡ | $238†‡ | $1,362 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 38 | $216–$310†‡ | $254†‡ | $4,541 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

### Paintings

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 7 | $2,938–$3,141‡ | $3,027‡ | $4,621 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 50 | $5,828–$11,351†‡ | $7,937†‡ | $26,773 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 17 | $10,579–$18,256‡ | $13,837‡ | $83,021 |

† 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) | 21 | $1,361–$2,733‡ | $1,665‡ | $6,385 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 33 | $2,128–$5,457†‡ | $3,467†‡ | $13,210 |

† 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 2007 | $83,021 |
| Paintings | 2025 | $45,105 |
| Works on Paper | 2017 | $13,210 |
| Works on Paper | 2019 | $10,894 |
| Prints & Editions | 2019 | $4,541 |
| Prints & Editions | 2019 | $1,362 |
| Photography | 2007 | $375 |

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 Fred Dahmen worth?

Across 312 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Karl Fred Dahmen work is $2,950. The median Karl Fred Dahmen painting sells for $8,139 across 77 lots. The median Karl Fred Dahmen print sells for $243 across 57 lots. The median Karl Fred Dahmen work on paper sells for $2,649 across 54 lots. Medium (50–120 cm) Karl Fred Dahmen paintings typically sell for $5,828–$11,351 (the middle half of 50 sold lots). Medium (50–120 cm) Karl Fred Dahmen prints typically sell for $216–$310 (the middle half of 38 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 Fred Dahmen painting?

Based on 77 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Karl Fred Dahmen painting is $8,139. 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 Fred Dahmen's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Karl Fred Dahmen painting is $83,021.

### What is the average price of a Karl Fred Dahmen print?

Based on 57 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Karl Fred Dahmen print is $243. 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 Fred Dahmen's most expensive print?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Karl Fred Dahmen print is $4,541.

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

Based on 54 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Karl Fred Dahmen work on paper is $2,649. 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 Fred Dahmen's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Karl Fred Dahmen work on paper is $13,210.

### What is the average price of a medium Karl Fred Dahmen painting?

Based on 50 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Karl Fred Dahmen painting (medium (50–120 cm)) is $7,937, 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 medium Karl Fred Dahmen print?

Based on 38 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Karl Fred Dahmen print (medium (50–120 cm)) is $254, 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 Fred Dahmen's auction record?

Karl Fred Dahmen's auction record is $83,021, set in 2007.

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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 Fred Dahmen auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/karl-fred-dahmen (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.