Karl Gerstner (1930–2017)
What is Karl Gerstner’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 150 auction results for Karl Gerstner at 29 houses since 1993. Over the last 24 months the median price was $3,637 including buyer’s premium (middle half $351–$10,978, n=8). The auction record is $38,521 for Color sound 1D Extraversion (2025, Sotheby's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Color sound 1D Extraversion, 1986 | Nitrocellulose lacquer on resin panels | $38,521 | Sotheby's | Dec 2025 |
| 2 | Zyklische Permutation (Quadrupel) 1. Zyklus (Vollfarben), 1958 | Acrylic paint on aluminium rods, in aluminium-wood frame Each | $27,452 | Galerie Kornfeld Auktionen Bern | Sep 2021 |
| 3 | Metachromes Diptychon (Chromorphose 1.03/1.04), 1976 | Jeweils: Lackfarbe auf Aluminiumblech auf Holzplatte (Nitro auf Phenolharz) | $14,606 | Van Ham Kunstauktionen | Dec 2020 |
| 4 | Color Sound 15 Intro-Version, 1930 | Nitrocellulose lacquer on phenolic resin panels | $12,800 | Bonhams | May 2026 |
| 5 | Linsen-Bild, 1962 | Linse in Objektkasten (Holz und Kunststoff), elektrifiziert | $12,574 | Van Ham Kunstauktionen | Jun 2020 |
| 6 | Color sound 48 Introversion, 1972 - 1986 | Nitrocellulose lacquer on resin panels, in the artist's frame | $10,371 | Sotheby's | Dec 2025 |
| 7 | Ohne Titel (lacquered glass fibre relief in 27 layers), 1975 | Lacquered glass fiber cast relief picture in 27 layers | $9,159 | Ketterer Kunst | Jun 2019 |
| 8 | Color Sound C-II, Extra Version | Ink | $8,577 | Kunsthaus Lempertz | Dec 2016 |
| 9 | Color Sound 25. Intro Version | Nitro lacquer on phenolic resin panels | $8,314 | Sotheby's | Nov 2023 |
| 10 | Color Sounds, 1971 | Nitro lacquer on phenolic resin panels | $7,621 | Sotheby's | Nov 2023 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Other | 20 | $6,808 |
| Prints | 16 | $729 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 6 | $7,705 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 26 | $3,395 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 13 | $1,435 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 150 results from 29 houses · How we compute these figures
Karl Gerstner is a Swiss artist with 203 auction lots recorded since 1993, median price $900. 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 Gerstner sold in 2026 for a hammer price of $1,482 (buyer's premium not included), according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
See the full Karl Gerstner record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Karl Gerstner on OpeningBid →What is a Karl Gerstner work worth?
Across 148 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Karl Gerstner work is $900.
The median Karl Gerstner print sells for $333 across 53 lots.
The median Karl Gerstner sculpture sells for $3,178 across 17 lots.
The median Karl Gerstner work on paper sells for $2,271 across 14 lots.
Medium (50–120 cm) Karl Gerstner prints typically sell for $219–$478 (the middle half of 32 sold lots).
Small (under 50 cm) Karl Gerstner prints typically sell for $172–$756 (the middle half of 21 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 | 58 | $333†‡ | $2,876 | 91.4% | 2026-09-12 |
| Paintings | 3 | $2,284‡ | $29,450‡ | — | 2021-02-18 |
| Works on Paper | 19 | $2,271†‡ | $8,577 | 73.7% | 2025-07-16 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 21 | $3,178†‡ | $7,303† | 81% | 2026-06-23 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 8 | $13,703‡ | $38,521 | — | 2026-05-21 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Karl Gerstner's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (58 lots) median $333 with 91.4% sell-through. Paintings (3 lots) median $2,284, record $29,450. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified. A typical Karl Gerstner painting sells for around 6.9× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 8 lots) the median is $13,703.
Price by size
Prints & Editions
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 21 | $172–$756†‡ | $397†‡ | $2,000 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 32 | $219–$478†‡ | $312†‡ | $2,876 |
† 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) | 11 | $386–$2,540†‡ | $630†‡ | $8,577 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Sculpture & Installation
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 8 | $829–$3,197†‡ | $1,465†‡ | $7,303† |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 6 | $3,204–$6,451†‡ | $4,778†‡ | $6,818† |
† 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 | 2020 | $29,450‡ |
| Works on Paper | 2016 | $8,577 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2014 | $7,303† |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2005 | $6,818† |
| Works on Paper | 2012 | $5,000 |
| Prints & Editions | 2015 | $2,876 |
| Paintings | 2021 | $2,284 |
| Prints & Editions | 2019 | $2,000 |
† 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. See the full sale history on OpeningBid.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Karl Gerstner worth?
Across 148 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Karl Gerstner work is $900. The median Karl Gerstner print sells for $333 across 53 lots. The median Karl Gerstner sculpture sells for $3,178 across 17 lots. The median Karl Gerstner work on paper sells for $2,271 across 14 lots. Medium (50–120 cm) Karl Gerstner prints typically sell for $219–$478 (the middle half of 32 sold lots). Small (under 50 cm) Karl Gerstner prints typically sell for $172–$756 (the middle half of 21 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 Gerstner print?
Based on 53 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Karl Gerstner print is $333. 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 Gerstner's most expensive print?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Karl Gerstner print is $2,876.
What is the average price of a Karl Gerstner sculpture?
Based on 17 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Karl Gerstner sculpture is $3,178. 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 Gerstner's most expensive sculpture?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Karl Gerstner sculpture is $7,303. That record lot sold for a hammer price of $7,303 (buyer's premium not included).
What is the average price of a Karl Gerstner work on paper?
Based on 14 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Karl Gerstner work on paper is $2,271. 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 Gerstner's most expensive work on paper?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Karl Gerstner work on paper is $8,577.
What is the average price of a medium Karl Gerstner print?
Based on 32 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Karl Gerstner print (medium (50–120 cm)) is $312, 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 Gerstner print?
Based on 21 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Karl Gerstner print (small (under 50 cm)) is $397, 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 Gerstner's auction record?
Karl Gerstner's auction record is $38,521, set in 2025.
See the full Karl Gerstner record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Karl Gerstner on OpeningBid →