Lucien Clergue (1934–2014)
What is Lucien Clergue’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 580 auction results for Lucien Clergue at 50 houses since 1991. Over the last 24 months the median price was $1,286 including buyer’s premium (middle half $631–$2,064, n=81). The auction record is $32,684 for LUCIEN CLERGUE (1934-2015) (2016, Tajan). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | LUCIEN CLERGUE (1934-2015), 1970 | Portfolio de onze photogravures et un tirage argentique monté sur carton | $32,684 | Tajan | Jun 2016 |
| 2 | Caco au Grand Herbier, 1978 | Bromure de sel d'argent | $17,833 | Christie's | Nov 2007 |
| 3 | 20 Nudes: 1974-1991, 2005 | Dye-bleach prints | $15,000 | Christie's | Sep 2014 |
| 4 | Picasso en Provence, 1987 | Photographs | $15,000 | Swann Auction Galleries | Feb 2017 |
| 5 | Nu de la Forêt, 1976 | Photograph | $14,465 | Sotheby's | Feb 2021 |
| 6 | Untitled (Nude on Beach) | Cartes-de-visite | $13,750 | Phillips | Oct 2013 |
| 7 | 21 American Nudes: 1979-1991, 2010 | Dye-bleach prints | $12,500 | Christie's | Sep 2014 |
| 8 | Sunday at Le Havre, 1934 | Unique photocollage of 22 chromogenic Polaroid prints | $12,500 | Christie's | Sep 2014 |
| 9 | Zebra Nude, New York, 2010 | Cartes-de-visite | $11,340 | Phillips | Apr 2022 |
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Née de la Vague, 1968 | 78 vintage gelatin silver prints, some full pages or double pages, others mounted on paper; original rhodoid titled with white gouache | $19,049 | Ader | Nov 2021 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Works on paper | 20 | $2,295 |
| Photographs | 366 | $1,379 |
| Other | 60 | $1,252 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 115 | $2,040 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 285 | $1,302 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 580 results from 50 houses · How we compute these figures
Lucien Clergue is a French artist with 1,021 auction lots recorded since 1991, median price $1,251. 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 Lucien Clergue sold in 2026 for $1,576, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
2 Lucien Clergue works are coming to auction (as of 2026-11-02). Follow Lucien Clergue free on OpeningBid for sale alerts.
See the full Lucien Clergue record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Lucien Clergue on OpeningBid →What is a Lucien Clergue work worth?
Across 566 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Lucien Clergue work is $1,251.
The median Lucien Clergue photograph sells for $1,227 across 492 lots.
The median Lucien Clergue print sells for $1,211 across 20 lots.
The median Lucien Clergue work on paper sells for $2,295 across 13 lots.
Small (under 50 cm) Lucien Clergue photographs typically sell for $552–$2,176 (the middle half of 313 sold lots).
Medium (50–120 cm) Lucien Clergue photographs typically sell for $1,127–$2,805 (the middle half of 129 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 | $1,211‡ | $15,000 | 80% | 2026-08-30 |
| Works on Paper | 14 | $2,295 | $6,112 | 92.9% | 2025-10-10 |
| Photography | 626 | $1,227†‡ | $32,684 | 78.6% | 2026-10-14 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 29 | $8,644 | $32,684 | — | 2026-10-07 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Price by size
Prints & Editions
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 17 | $967–$1,862‡ | $1,125‡ | $15,000 |
‡ 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) | 6 | $1,038–$2,427 | $1,751 | $4,590 |
Photography
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 313 | $552–$2,176†‡ | $1,136†‡ | $32,684 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 129 | $1,127–$2,805†‡ | $1,840†‡ | $17,833 |
† 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 | $32,684 |
| Photography | 2021 | $19,049 |
| Prints & Editions | 2014 | $15,000 |
| Prints & Editions | 2014 | $12,500 |
| Works on Paper | 2015 | $6,112 |
| Works on Paper | 2015 | $5,876 |
The highest recorded result in each medium. See the full sale history on OpeningBid.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Lucien Clergue worth?
Across 566 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Lucien Clergue work is $1,251. The median Lucien Clergue photograph sells for $1,227 across 492 lots. The median Lucien Clergue print sells for $1,211 across 20 lots. The median Lucien Clergue work on paper sells for $2,295 across 13 lots. Small (under 50 cm) Lucien Clergue photographs typically sell for $552–$2,176 (the middle half of 313 sold lots). Medium (50–120 cm) Lucien Clergue photographs typically sell for $1,127–$2,805 (the middle half of 129 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 Lucien Clergue photograph?
Based on 492 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Lucien Clergue photograph is $1,227. 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 Lucien Clergue's most expensive photograph?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Lucien Clergue photograph is $32,684.
What is the average price of a Lucien Clergue print?
Based on 20 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Lucien Clergue print is $1,211. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).
What is Lucien Clergue's most expensive print?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Lucien Clergue print is $15,000.
What is the average price of a Lucien Clergue work on paper?
Based on 13 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Lucien Clergue work on paper is $2,295.
What is Lucien Clergue's most expensive work on paper?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Lucien Clergue work on paper is $6,112.
What is the average price of a small Lucien Clergue photograph?
Based on 313 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Lucien Clergue photograph (small (under 50 cm)) is $1,136, 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 Lucien Clergue photograph?
Based on 129 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Lucien Clergue photograph (medium (50–120 cm)) is $1,840, 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 Lucien Clergue's auction record?
Lucien Clergue's auction record is $32,684, set in 2016.
See the full Lucien Clergue record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Lucien Clergue on OpeningBid →