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

# Kurt Schwitters (1887–1948)

## What is Kurt Schwitters’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 287 auction results for Kurt Schwitters at 28 houses since 1996. Over the last 24 months the median price was $19,957 including buyer’s premium (middle half $7,785–$57,968, n=37). The auction record is $23,736,789 for Ja - Was? - Bild (2014, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ja - Was? - Bild, 1920 | Oil, paper, corrugated card, cardboard, fabric, wood and nails on board; in the artist's frame | $23,736,789 | Christie's | Jun 2014 |
| 2 | Für Tilly, 1923 | Huile et poignée tournante sur panneau | $2,050,682 | Christie's | Jun 2022 |
| 3 | Merzbild 9A Bild mit Damestein (L Merzbild L5), 1919 | Oil, paper, card, canvas, metal and wool assemblage on cardboard in the artist's frame | $2,006,869 | Christie's | Jun 2012 |
| 4 | Mz 250, Grosser Tanz, 1921 | Collage | $1,383,201 | Christie's | Feb 2012 |
| 5 | Das Korbbild, 1940 | Mixed media panel | $1,146,019 | Christie's | Jun 2014 |
| 6 | Ohne Titel (Schweres Relief), 1945 | Oil, cement, wood, leather, plastic and glue on joined panel | $1,098,310 | Christie's | Feb 2012 |
| 7 | Das Schwert des deutschen Geistes, 1935 | Painted wood | $1,078,135 | Christie's | Feb 2014 |
| 8 | Untitled (Ternationa), 1942 | Wool | $884,634 | Christie's | Feb 2014 |
| 9 | Richard Freytagbild (Das Richard-Freitag-Bild), 1927 | Relief painting | $763,594 | Christie's | Feb 2018 |
| 10 | Ohne Titel (REFREE), 1947 | Leather | $726,934 | Christie's | Feb 2012 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Other | 81 | $68,750 |
| Works on paper | 116 | $65,726 |
| Paintings | 35 | $26,610 |
| Prints | 20 | $10,313 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 33 | $57,968 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 210 | $51,489 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 287 results from 28 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Kurt Schwitters is a German artist with 349 auction lots recorded since 1996, median price $49,668. 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 Kurt Schwitters sold in 2026 for $69,571, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

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

- [Kurt Schwitters on OpeningBid](https://www.openingbid.art/artist/kurt-schwitters?ref=kg:kurt-schwitters) — follow free in the OpeningBid app for sale alerts.

## What is a Kurt Schwitters work worth?

Across 285 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Kurt Schwitters work is $49,668.

The median Kurt Schwitters work on paper sells for $48,325 across 98 lots.

The median Kurt Schwitters painting sells for $11,827 across 38 lots.

The median Kurt Schwitters print sells for $10,312 across 22 lots.

Small (under 50 cm) Kurt Schwitters work on papers typically sell for $23,130–$100,321 (the middle half of 88 sold lots).

Medium (50–120 cm) Kurt Schwitters paintings typically sell for $7,470–$46,520 (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 | 25 | $10,312†‡ | $55,362 | 88% | 2026-05-21 |
| Paintings | 44 | $11,827†‡ | $1.1M | 86.4% | 2025-12-05 |
| Works on Paper | 119 | $48,325‡ | $726,934 | 82.4% | 2026-10-15 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 12 | $144,968 | $1.1M | 66.7% | 2022-06-30 |
| Photography | 6 | $19,000‡ | $70,330 | — | 2025-11-18 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 88 | $193,197‡ | $23.7M | — | 2026-05-19 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

Kurt Schwitters's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (25 lots) median $10,312 with 88% sell-through. Paintings (44 lots) median $11,827, record $1,098,310. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 88 lots) the median is $193,197.

## Price by size

### Prints & Editions

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 17 | $3,360–$17,500‡ | $10,000‡ | $55,362 |

‡ 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) | 15 | $7,668–$43,100†‡ | $15,495†‡ | $250,000 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 21 | $7,470–$46,520‡ | $12,109‡ | $1.1M |

† 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) | 88 | $23,130–$100,321‡ | $46,414‡ | $689,842 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 5 | $379,873–$553,089 | $442,471 | $726,934 |

‡ 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) | 5 | $116,251–$217,500 | $173,685 | $248,625 |

### Photography

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 5 | $9,600–$40,000‡ | $19,000‡ | $70,330 |

‡ 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Sculpture & Installation | 2014 | $1.1M |
| Paintings | 2012 | $1.1M |
| Paintings | 2018 | $763,594 |
| Works on Paper | 2012 | $726,934 |
| Works on Paper | 2017 | $689,842 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2014 | $248,625 |
| Photography | 2003 | $70,330 |
| Prints & Editions | 2024 | $55,362 |

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 Kurt Schwitters worth?

Across 285 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Kurt Schwitters work is $49,668. The median Kurt Schwitters work on paper sells for $48,325 across 98 lots. The median Kurt Schwitters painting sells for $11,827 across 38 lots. The median Kurt Schwitters print sells for $10,312 across 22 lots. Small (under 50 cm) Kurt Schwitters work on papers typically sell for $23,130–$100,321 (the middle half of 88 sold lots). Medium (50–120 cm) Kurt Schwitters paintings typically sell for $7,470–$46,520 (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 Kurt Schwitters work on paper?

Based on 98 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Kurt Schwitters work on paper is $48,325. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Kurt Schwitters's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Kurt Schwitters work on paper is $726,934.

### What is the average price of a Kurt Schwitters painting?

Based on 38 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Kurt Schwitters painting is $11,827. 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 Kurt Schwitters's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Kurt Schwitters painting is $1,098,310.

### What is the average price of a Kurt Schwitters print?

Based on 22 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Kurt Schwitters print is $10,312. 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 Kurt Schwitters's most expensive print?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Kurt Schwitters print is $55,362.

### What is the average price of a small Kurt Schwitters work on paper?

Based on 88 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Kurt Schwitters work on paper (small (under 50 cm)) is $46,414, 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 Kurt Schwitters painting?

Based on 21 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Kurt Schwitters painting (medium (50–120 cm)) is $12,109, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Kurt Schwitters's auction record?

Kurt Schwitters's auction record is $23,736,789, set in 2014.

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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, “Kurt Schwitters auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/kurt-schwitters (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.