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

# Karl Hofer (1878–1955)

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

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 507 auction results for Karl Hofer at 25 houses since 1994. Over the last 24 months the median price was $35,505 including buyer’s premium (middle half $17,747–$52,232, n=22). The auction record is $990,776 for Arbeitslose (2020, Ketterer Kunst). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arbeitslose, 1932 | Oil on canvas | $990,776 | Ketterer Kunst | Dec 2020 |
| 2 | Porträt von zwei jungen Frauen, 1943 | Oil on canvas | $398,190 | Ketterer Kunst | Jun 2013 |
| 3 | Badendes Hindumädchen, 1913 | Oil paint | $391,500 | Christie's | May 2017 |
| 4 | Jüngling mit Kopftuch, 1924 | Oil on canvas | $369,565 | Ketterer Kunst | Dec 2022 |
| 5 | Drei Mädchen, 1943 | Oil on wood | $365,008 | Ketterer Kunst | Jun 2013 |
| 6 | Sibylle, 1935 | Oil on canvas | $363,810 | Ketterer Kunst | Dec 2020 |
| 7 | Mädchen mit Laute | Oil on canvas | $334,734 | Ketterer Kunst | Dec 2011 |
| 8 | PUTZMACHERIN (THE MILLINER) | Oil on canvas | $294,926 | Sotheby's | Jun 2009 |
| 9 | Hinduknabe, 1911 | Oil on canvas | $255,848 | Ketterer Kunst | Dec 2018 |
| 10 | Muzzano (Tessin), 1943 | Oil on canvas | $224,783 | Ketterer Kunst | Jun 2022 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 155 | $52,978 |
| Other | 24 | $4,396 |
| Works on paper | 30 | $3,745 |
| Prints | 24 | $899 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 5 | $176,130 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 151 | $48,536 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 73 | $4,075 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 507 results from 25 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Karl Hofer is a German artist with 806 auction lots recorded since 1989, median price $14,698. 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 Hofer sold in 2026 for $90,771, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

**2 Karl Hofer works are coming to auction** (as of 2026-11-02).

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

## What is a Karl Hofer work worth?

Across 506 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Karl Hofer work is $14,698.

The median Karl Hofer painting sells for $44,566 across 263 lots.

The median Karl Hofer work on paper sells for $2,917 across 100 lots.

The median Karl Hofer print sells for $420 across 118 lots.

Medium (50–120 cm) Karl Hofer paintings typically sell for $29,260–$83,575 (the middle half of 200 sold lots).

Small (under 50 cm) Karl Hofer prints typically sell for $243–$688 (the middle half of 109 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 | 178 | $420†‡ | $21,701‡ | 66.3% | 2026-06-06 |
| Paintings | 359 | $44,566†‡ | $990,776 | 73.3% | 2026-06-10 |
| Works on Paper | 188 | $2,917‡ | $18,110 | 53.2% | 2026-06-05 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 1 | $37,238‡ | $37,238‡ | — | 2025-11-28 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 48 | $173,614‡ | $990,776 | — | 2026-06-05 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

Karl Hofer's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (178 lots) median $420 with 66.3% sell-through. Paintings (359 lots) median $44,566, record $990,776. A typical Karl Hofer painting sells for around 106× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 48 lots) the median is $173,614.

## Price by size

### Prints & Editions

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 109 | $243–$688†‡ | $432†‡ | $21,701‡ |

† 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) | 48 | $15,898–$37,930†‡ | $23,414†‡ | $164,241 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 200 | $29,260–$83,575†‡ | $52,117†‡ | $398,190 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 8 | $90,880–$196,059‡ | $116,285‡ | $990,776 |

† 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) | 60 | $1,541–$3,922‡ | $2,854‡ | $14,207 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 39 | $2,144–$6,715‡ | $3,940‡ | $18,110 |

‡ 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 | $990,776 |
| Paintings | 2013 | $398,190 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2025 | $37,238‡ |
| Prints & Editions | 2002 | $21,701‡ |
| Works on Paper | 2011 | $18,110 |
| Works on Paper | 2009 | $15,683 |
| Prints & Editions | 2020 | $4,552‡ |

‡ 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 Hofer worth?

Across 506 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Karl Hofer work is $14,698. The median Karl Hofer painting sells for $44,566 across 263 lots. The median Karl Hofer work on paper sells for $2,917 across 100 lots. The median Karl Hofer print sells for $420 across 118 lots. Medium (50–120 cm) Karl Hofer paintings typically sell for $29,260–$83,575 (the middle half of 200 sold lots). Small (under 50 cm) Karl Hofer prints typically sell for $243–$688 (the middle half of 109 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 Hofer painting?

Based on 263 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Karl Hofer painting is $44,566. 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 Hofer's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Karl Hofer painting is $990,776.

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

Based on 100 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Karl Hofer work on paper is $2,917. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Karl Hofer's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Karl Hofer work on paper is $18,110.

### What is the average price of a Karl Hofer print?

Based on 118 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Karl Hofer print is $420. 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 Hofer's most expensive print?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Karl Hofer print is $21,701. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.

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

Based on 200 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Karl Hofer painting (medium (50–120 cm)) is $52,117, 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 Hofer print?

Based on 109 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Karl Hofer print (small (under 50 cm)) is $432, 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 Hofer's auction record?

Karl Hofer's auction record is $990,776, set in 2020.

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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 Hofer auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/karl-hofer (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.