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

# Karl Knaths (1891–1971)

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

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 92 auction results for Karl Knaths at 17 houses since 1988. Over the last 24 months the median price was $3,380 including buyer’s premium (middle half $2,794–$5,850, n=5). The auction record is $16,250 for Lilacs (2008, Sotheby's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lilacs | Oil on canvas | $16,250 | Sotheby's | Sep 2008 |
| 2 | Store and Gear, 1891 | Oil paint | $15,000 | Christie's | Mar 2010 |
| 3 | Clam Flats Fantasia, 1969 | Oil on canvas | $12,650 | Eldred's (Robert C. Eldred Co.) | Mar 2012 |
| 4 | ...en Egypte | Oil on canvas | $11,750 | Skinner (Bonhams Skinner) | May 2006 |
| 5 | Lilac, 1950 | Oil on canvas | $11,250 | Swann Auction Galleries | Dec 2021 |
| 6 | Pipe and Bits, 1955 | Oil on canvas | $11,000 | Grogan & Company | Oct 2014 |
| 7 | Still Life (Lilacs) | Oil on canvas | $10,000 | Grogan & Company | May 2026 |
| 8 | Wild Deer | Oil on canvas | $10,000 | Sotheby's | Sep 2008 |
| 9 | Brown Pitcher, 1963 | Oil on canvas | $8,000 | Cottone Auctions | Oct 2020 |
| 10 | The Veteran, 1959 | Oil on canvas | $6,500 | Grogan & Company | Dec 2014 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 32 | $5,020 |
| Works on paper | 23 | $1,430 |
| Prints | 6 | $180 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 6 | $8,875 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 21 | $3,528 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 31 | $1,250 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 92 results from 17 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Karl Knaths is an American artist with 119 auction lots recorded since 1988, median price $1,555. 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 Knaths is recorded as sold in 2026 for $2,200; whether the price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Karl Knaths work worth?

Across 89 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Karl Knaths work is $1,555.

The median Karl Knaths painting sells for $3,775 across 41 lots.

The median Karl Knaths work on paper sells for $805 across 30 lots.

The median Karl Knaths print sells for $180 across 10 lots.

Small (under 50 cm) Karl Knaths work on papers typically sell for $300–$1,495 (the middle half of 25 sold lots).

Medium (50–120 cm) Karl Knaths paintings typically sell for $3,035–$5,588 (the middle half of 20 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 | 12 | $180†‡ | $2,200‡ | 83.3% | 2026-05-16 |
| Paintings | 49 | $3,775†‡ | $15,000 | 83.7% | 2026-05-16 |
| Works on Paper | 37 | $805‡ | $4,312 | 81.1% | 2026-05-16 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 5 | $12,650 | $16,250 | — | 2021-12-02 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

Karl Knaths's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (12 lots) median $180 with 83.3% sell-through. Paintings (49 lots) median $3,775, record $15,000. A typical Karl Knaths painting sells for around 21× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 5 lots) the median is $12,650.

## Price by size

### Prints & Editions

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 7 | $161–$1,552‡ | $275‡ | $2,200‡ |

‡ 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) | 11 | $744–$2,102‡ | $1,250‡ | $3,750‡ |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 20 | $3,035–$5,588†‡ | $4,182†‡ | $11,250 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 7 | $5,875–$9,125†‡ | $6,000†‡ | $15,000 |

† 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) | 25 | $300–$1,495‡ | $805‡ | $4,312 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 5 | $450–$1,380‡ | $805‡ | $1,875 |

‡ 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 | 2010 | $15,000 |
| Paintings | 2006 | $11,750 |
| Works on Paper | 2012 | $4,312 |
| Works on Paper | 2021 | $3,000 |
| Prints & Editions | 2026 | $2,200‡ |
| Prints & Editions | 2012 | $1,610 |

‡ 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 Knaths worth?

Across 89 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Karl Knaths work is $1,555. The median Karl Knaths painting sells for $3,775 across 41 lots. The median Karl Knaths work on paper sells for $805 across 30 lots. The median Karl Knaths print sells for $180 across 10 lots. Small (under 50 cm) Karl Knaths work on papers typically sell for $300–$1,495 (the middle half of 25 sold lots). Medium (50–120 cm) Karl Knaths paintings typically sell for $3,035–$5,588 (the middle half of 20 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 Knaths painting?

Based on 41 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Karl Knaths painting is $3,775. 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 Knaths's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Karl Knaths painting is $15,000.

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

Based on 30 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Karl Knaths work on paper is $805. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

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

The highest price recorded at auction for a Karl Knaths work on paper is $4,312.

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

Based on 10 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Karl Knaths print is $180. 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 Knaths's most expensive print?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Karl Knaths print is $2,200. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.

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

Based on 25 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Karl Knaths work on paper (small (under 50 cm)) is $805, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

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

Based on 20 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Karl Knaths painting (medium (50–120 cm)) is $4,182, 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 Knaths's auction record?

Karl Knaths's auction record is $16,250, set in 2008.

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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 Knaths auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/karl-knaths (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.