> Source: https://www.openingbid.art/artist/m-c-escher-2 · updated 2026-11-02

# M.C. Escher (1898–1972)

## What is M.C. Escher’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 284 auction results for M.C. Escher at 20 houses since 1998. Over the last 24 months the median price was $27,045 including buyer’s premium (middle half $7,190–$38,890, n=10). The auction record is $245,934 for METAMORPHOSIS II (BOOL /KIST/LOCHER/WIE 320) (2008, Sotheby's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | METAMORPHOSIS II (BOOL /KIST/LOCHER/WIE 320) | — | $245,934 | Sotheby's | Oct 2008 |
| 2 | Eye, 1946 | Mezzotint, on Van Gelder Zonen laid paper, with full margins | $72,500 | Phillips | Oct 2019 |

**Top auction records: prints & editions**

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Metamorphose II | Woodcut | $160,199 | Sotheby's | Dec 2010 |
| 2 | Smaller and Smaller, 1956 | Engraving | $145,351 | Sotheby's | Sep 2025 |
| 3 | Metamorphosis II, 1939-1940 | Woodcut in colors, on three joined sheets of tissue-thin Japon | $139,741 | Christie's | May 2002 |
| 4 | Print Gallery, 1956 | Lithograph | $104,078 | Sotheby's | Mar 2020 |
| 5 | Smaller and Smaller, 1956 | Woodcut and wood engraving in black and orange, on Japon | $70,615 | Christie's | Apr 2012 |
| 6 | Metamorphosis III, 1967 | Woodcut printed in colors | $68,500 | Sotheby's | May 2009 |
| 7 | Day and Night (Bool 303), 1938 | Woodcut in black and grey, on thin Japon | $66,538 | Christie's | Oct 2007 |
| 8 | Path of Life III, 1966 | Woodcut in colors, on Japon | $65,542 | Christie's | Oct 2009 |

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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Prints | 84 | $27,353 |
| Other | 8 | $23,322 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 6 | $34,759 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 68 | $22,113 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 284 results from 20 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


M.C. Escher is a Dutch artist with 300 auction lots recorded since 1998, median price $11,822. 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 M.C. Escher sold in 2026 for $32,500, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

**4 M.C. Escher works are coming to auction** (as of 2026-11-02).

- [M.C. Escher on OpeningBid](https://www.openingbid.art/artist/m-c-escher-2?ref=kg:m-c-escher-2) — follow free in the OpeningBid app for sale alerts.

## What is a M.C. Escher work worth?

Across 278 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a M.C. Escher work is $11,822.

The median M.C. Escher print sells for $12,398 across 220 lots.

The median M.C. Escher sculpture sells for $3,300 across 2 lots.

The median M.C. Escher work on paper sells for $33,897 across 2 lots.

Small (under 50 cm) M.C. Escher prints typically sell for $1,523–$28,299 (the middle half of 168 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 | 227 | $12,398†‡ | $241,252 | 96.9% | 2026-10-14 |
| Works on Paper | 2 | $33,897 | $48,962 | — | 2015-12-01 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2 | $3,300 | $3,300 | — | 2007-01-30 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 13 | $120,626† | $245,934 | — | 2026-05-27 |

† 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) | 168 | $1,523–$28,299† | $11,618† | $241,252 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 15 | $21,852–$56,477†‡ | $36,329†‡ | $82,715 |

† 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Prints & Editions | 2026 | $241,252 |
| Prints & Editions | 2010 | $160,199 |
| Works on Paper | 2015 | $48,962 |
| Works on Paper | 2015 | $18,832 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2007 | $3,300 |

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 M.C. Escher worth?

Across 278 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a M.C. Escher work is $11,822. The median M.C. Escher print sells for $12,398 across 220 lots. The median M.C. Escher sculpture sells for $3,300 across 2 lots. The median M.C. Escher work on paper sells for $33,897 across 2 lots. Small (under 50 cm) M.C. Escher prints typically sell for $1,523–$28,299 (the middle half of 168 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 M.C. Escher print?

Based on 220 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a M.C. Escher print is $12,398. 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 M.C. Escher's most expensive print?

The highest price recorded at auction for a M.C. Escher print is $241,252.

### What is the average price of a small M.C. Escher print?

Based on 168 sold lots, the median auction price of a small M.C. Escher print (small (under 50 cm)) is $11,618, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is the average price of a medium M.C. Escher print?

Based on 15 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium M.C. Escher print (medium (50–120 cm)) is $36,329, 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 M.C. Escher's auction record?

M.C. Escher's auction record is $245,934, set in 2008.

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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, “M.C. Escher auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/m-c-escher-2 (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.