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

# Kurt Seligmann (1900–1962)

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

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 116 auction results for Kurt Seligmann at 21 houses since 2000. Over the last 24 months the median price was $55,625 including buyer’s premium (middle half $1,057–$150,050, n=8). The auction record is $334,931 for The Alchemy of Painting (2023, Sotheby's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Alchemy of Painting, 1955 | Oil paint | $334,931 | Sotheby's | Mar 2023 |
| 2 | Nocturne, 1950 | Oil on canvas | $283,650 | Koller Auktionen | Nov 2024 |
| 3 | Sur les Barricades, 1929 | Oil paint | $177,800 | Phillips | Nov 2024 |
| 4 | Iphigenia, 1946 | Painting | $140,800 | Rago Arts | Mar 2026 |
| 5 | Le Beau Chapeau, 1929 | Oil on panel | $131,055 | Koller Auktionen | Dec 2022 |
| 6 | Iphigenia, 1946 | Oil on canvas | $110,000 | Wright | Mar 2026 |
| 7 | Romantic Feud, 1947 | Oil paint | $106,250 | Christie's | Nov 2015 |
| 8 | Komposition (Aquarium) | Huile sur panneau | $87,209 | Sotheby's | Dec 2012 |
| 9 | Devil and fool | Huile sur toile | $83,805 | Sotheby's | Jun 2016 |
| 10 | NOCTAMBULATION, 1942 | Signé et daté en bas à gauche | $71,749 | Artcurial | Nov 2010 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 17 | $67,934 |
| Other | 9 | $5,739 |
| Works on paper | 25 | $2,287 |
| Prints | 28 | $1,225 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 35 | $5,875 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 37 | $1,512 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 116 results from 21 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Kurt Seligmann is an American artist with 157 auction lots recorded since 2000, median price $2,500. 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 Seligmann sold in 2026 for $140,800, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Kurt Seligmann work worth?

Across 116 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Kurt Seligmann work is $2,500.

The median Kurt Seligmann print sells for $900 across 47 lots.

The median Kurt Seligmann work on paper sells for $2,350 across 39 lots.

The median Kurt Seligmann painting sells for $60,577 across 25 lots.

Small (under 50 cm) Kurt Seligmann prints typically sell for $301–$1,409 (the middle half of 40 sold lots).

Medium (50–120 cm) Kurt Seligmann work on papers typically sell for $1,593–$3,120 (the middle half of 25 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 | 59 | $900†‡ | $6,950 | 79.7% | 2026-10-22 |
| Paintings | 27 | $60,577†‡ | $334,931 | 92.6% | 2026-03-18 |
| Works on Paper | 44 | $2,350†‡ | $15,722 | 88.6% | 2025-12-10 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 9 | $140,800‡ | $334,931 | — | 2026-03-18 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

Kurt Seligmann's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (59 lots) median $900 with 79.7% sell-through. Paintings (27 lots) median $60,577, record $334,931. A typical Kurt Seligmann painting sells for around 67× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 9 lots) the median is $140,800.

## Price by size

### Prints & Editions

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 40 | $301–$1,409†‡ | $820†‡ | $3,500 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 6 | $1,625–$3,898†‡ | $2,795†‡ | $6,950 |

† 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 20 | $24,645–$133,491†‡ | $68,513†‡ | $334,931 |

† 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) | 14 | $1,798–$3,188†‡ | $2,319†‡ | $4,192 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 25 | $1,593–$3,120†‡ | $2,538†‡ | $15,722 |

† 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 | 2023 | $334,931 |
| Paintings | 2024 | $283,650 |
| Works on Paper | 2024 | $15,722 |
| Works on Paper | 2000 | $9,987 |
| Prints & Editions | 2015 | $6,950 |
| Prints & Editions | 2005 | $4,000 |

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 Seligmann worth?

Across 116 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Kurt Seligmann work is $2,500. The median Kurt Seligmann print sells for $900 across 47 lots. The median Kurt Seligmann work on paper sells for $2,350 across 39 lots. The median Kurt Seligmann painting sells for $60,577 across 25 lots. Small (under 50 cm) Kurt Seligmann prints typically sell for $301–$1,409 (the middle half of 40 sold lots). Medium (50–120 cm) Kurt Seligmann work on papers typically sell for $1,593–$3,120 (the middle half of 25 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 Seligmann print?

Based on 47 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Kurt Seligmann print is $900. 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 Seligmann's most expensive print?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Kurt Seligmann print is $6,950.

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

Based on 39 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Kurt Seligmann work on paper is $2,350. 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 Seligmann's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Kurt Seligmann work on paper is $15,722.

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

Based on 25 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Kurt Seligmann painting is $60,577. 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 Seligmann's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Kurt Seligmann painting is $334,931.

### What is the average price of a small Kurt Seligmann print?

Based on 40 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Kurt Seligmann print (small (under 50 cm)) is $820, 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 Kurt Seligmann work on paper?

Based on 25 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Kurt Seligmann work on paper (medium (50–120 cm)) is $2,538, 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 Kurt Seligmann's auction record?

Kurt Seligmann's auction record is $334,931, set in 2023.

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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 Seligmann auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/kurt-seligmann (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.