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

# Lucien Clergue (1934–2014)

## What is Lucien Clergue’s work worth? {#value}

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.

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

| # | 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 |

**Top auction records: prints & editions**

| # | 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 |

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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Works on paper | 20 | $2,295 |
| Photographs | 366 | $1,379 |
| Other | 60 | $1,252 |

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

| 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](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


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).

- [Lucien Clergue on OpeningBid](https://www.openingbid.art/artist/lucien-clergue?ref=kg:lucien-clergue) — follow free in the OpeningBid app for sale alerts.

## 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. The full sale history is in the OpeningBid app (free sign-up).

## 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.

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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, “Lucien Clergue auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/lucien-clergue (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.