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

# Louis Stettner (1922–2016)

## What is Louis Stettner’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 158 auction results for Louis Stettner at 25 houses since 1991. Over the last 24 months the median price was $1,771 including buyer’s premium (middle half $920–$2,404, n=26). The auction record is $21,789 for Christelle, Limans, France (2016, Tajan). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Christelle, Limans, France, 1985 | Tirage argentique postérieur | $21,789 | Tajan | Jun 2016 |
| 2 | PENN STATION, NEW YORK, 1958 | Tirage argentique postérieur | $10,895 | Tajan | Jun 2016 |
| 3 | Six Lights, Penn Station | Gelatin silver print, printed later | $10,320 | Phillips | Oct 2026 |
| 4 | Early Joys, 1947-1959 | Photographs | $10,000 | Swann Auction Galleries | Feb 2019 |
| 5 | ANASTASIA, 1986 | Tirage argentique d'époque | $7,760 | Artcurial | Nov 2014 |
| 6 | Place du Carrousel, 1922 | Gelatin silver print. 1951. Signed, titled, dated in pencil, credit stamp on the verso | $7,637 | Christie's | Apr 2001 |
| 7 | Streetwork, 1981 | Silver prints | $6,750 | Swann Auction Galleries | Apr 2019 |
| 8 | Janet, 1981 | Tirage argentique postérieur | $6,537 | Tajan | Jun 2016 |
| 9 | Early Work | 17 épreuves argentiques | $6,371 | Ader | Nov 2022 |
| 10 | Manhattan from the Promenade, Brooklyn, New York, 1956 | Gelatin silver print | $5,080 | Sotheby's | Oct 2025 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Other | 18 | $2,375 |
| Photographs | 116 | $1,670 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 6 | $2,078 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 118 | $1,782 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 158 results from 25 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Louis Stettner is an American artist with 259 auction lots recorded since 1991, median price $1,666. 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 Louis Stettner sold in 2026 for $1,905, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Louis Stettner work worth?

Across 158 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Louis Stettner work is $1,666.

The median Louis Stettner photograph sells for $1,659 across 148 lots.

The median Louis Stettner print sells for $1,905 across 3 lots.

The median Louis Stettner work on paper sells for $4,671 across 2 lots.

Small (under 50 cm) Louis Stettner photographs typically sell for $954–$2,388 (the middle half of 131 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 | 4 | $1,905 | $2,159 | 75% | 2026-10-15 |
| Works on Paper | 2 | $4,671 | $7,760 | — | 2015-11-21 |
| Photography | 183 | $1,659†‡ | $21,789 | 80.9% | 2026-10-08 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 8 | $10,160 | $21,789 | — | 2026-10-08 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

## Price by size

### Photography

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 131 | $954–$2,388†‡ | $1,615†‡ | $21,789 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 6 | $1,583–$2,669 | $2,078 | $2,778 |

† 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Photography | 2016 | $21,789 |
| Photography | 2016 | $10,895 |
| Works on Paper | 2014 | $7,760 |
| Prints & Editions | 2026 | $2,159 |
| Prints & Editions | 2026 | $1,905 |
| Works on Paper | 2015 | $1,581 |

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 Louis Stettner worth?

Across 158 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Louis Stettner work is $1,666. The median Louis Stettner photograph sells for $1,659 across 148 lots. The median Louis Stettner print sells for $1,905 across 3 lots. The median Louis Stettner work on paper sells for $4,671 across 2 lots. Small (under 50 cm) Louis Stettner photographs typically sell for $954–$2,388 (the middle half of 131 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 Louis Stettner photograph?

Based on 148 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Louis Stettner photograph is $1,659. 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 Louis Stettner's most expensive photograph?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Louis Stettner photograph is $21,789.

### What is the average price of a small Louis Stettner photograph?

Based on 131 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Louis Stettner photograph (small (under 50 cm)) is $1,615, 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 Louis Stettner's auction record?

Louis Stettner's auction record is $21,789, set in 2016.

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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, “Louis Stettner auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/louis-stettner (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.