Paula Modersohn-Becker (b. 1940)
What is Paula Modersohn-Becker’s work worth?
As of 3 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 89 auction results for Paula Modersohn-Becker at 20 houses since 1995. Over the last 24 months the median price was $150,792 including buyer’s premium (middle half $22,816–$217,001, n=14). The auction record is $585,608 for Selbstbildnis mit Landschaft vor Bäumen (2026, Grisebach). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Selbstbildnis mit Landschaft vor Bäumen, 1903 | Charcoal on paper. Laid down on cardboard | $585,608 | Grisebach | Jun 2026 |
| 2 | Mutter und Kind, 1904 | Oil paint | $411,488 | Christie's | Oct 2024 |
| 3 | Kinder zwischen Birkenstämmen, 1904 | Painting | $378,337 | Kunsthaus Lempertz | Jun 2020 |
| 4 | Zwei sitzende Kinder im Wald, 1904 | Oil tempera on cardboard | $360,529 | Ketterer Kunst | Dec 2025 |
| 5 | Sitzender Junge mit Strohhut unter Birken, 1904 | Cardboard | $346,011 | Kunsthaus Lempertz | Nov 2024 |
| 6 | Weidender Schimmel im Mondlicht, 1901 | Öltempera auf Karton | $325,433 | Van Ham Kunstauktionen | Jun 2021 |
| 7 | Zwei sitzende Mädchen vor Birkenstämmen, 1904 | Oil paint | $308,112 | Christie's | Feb 2008 |
| 8 | Kind mit Puppe am Birkenstamm sitzend, 1902 | Oil paint | $292,179 | Christie's | Jun 2011 |
| 9 | Sitzender Junge mit Mädchen auf dem Schoß, 1903 | Tempera und Öl auf Pappe | $272,456 | Van Ham Kunstauktionen | Dec 2021 |
| 10 | Sitzendes Mädchen mit Schafen am Weiher I, circa 1903 | Öl auf Pappe , teils geritzt, auf Sperrholz aufgezogen | $271,446 | Ketterer Kunst | May 2004 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 27 | $151,364 |
| Works on paper | 15 | $10,240 |
| Other | 6 | $7,795 |
| Prints | 14 | $3,243 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 22 | $150,792 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 39 | $7,036 |
Data as of 3 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 89 results from 20 houses · How we compute these figures
Paula Modersohn-Becker is an American artist with 128 auction lots recorded since 1992, median price $9,082. 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 Paula Modersohn-Becker sold in 2026 for $162,717, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
2 Paula Modersohn-Becker works are coming to auction (as of 2026-11-03). Follow Paula Modersohn-Becker free on OpeningBid for sale alerts.
See the full Paula Modersohn-Becker record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Paula Modersohn-Becker on OpeningBid →What is a Paula Modersohn-Becker work worth?
Across 89 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Paula Modersohn-Becker work is $9,082.
The median Paula Modersohn-Becker painting sells for $150,220 across 37 lots.
The median Paula Modersohn-Becker print sells for $3,236 across 23 lots.
The median Paula Modersohn-Becker work on paper sells for $7,939 across 22 lots.
Medium (50–120 cm) Paula Modersohn-Becker paintings typically sell for $86,817–$292,179 (the middle half of 25 sold lots).
Small (under 50 cm) Paula Modersohn-Becker prints typically sell for $1,968–$4,646 (the middle half of 23 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 | 30 | $3,236‡ | $7,028 | 76.7% | 2025-11-28 |
| Paintings | 49 | $150,220†‡ | $810,173 | 75.5% | 2026-06-19 |
| Works on Paper | 29 | $7,939†‡ | $585,608 | 75.9% | 2026-06-04 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 25 | $271,446‡ | $810,173 | — | 2026-06-19 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Paula Modersohn-Becker's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (30 lots) median $3,236 with 76.7% sell-through. Paintings (49 lots) median $150,220, record $810,173. A typical Paula Modersohn-Becker painting sells for around 46× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 25 lots) the median is $271,446.
Price by size
Prints & Editions
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 23 | $1,968–$4,646‡ | $3,236‡ | $7,028 |
‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Paintings
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 9 | $35,109–$199,990 | $162,717 | $481,895 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 25 | $86,817–$292,179†‡ | $150,220†‡ | $810,173 |
† 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) | 21 | $5,451–$11,053†‡ | $7,687†‡ | $585,608 |
† 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 | 2007 | $810,173 |
| Works on Paper | 2026 | $585,608 |
| Paintings | 2007 | $481,895 |
| Works on Paper | 2021 | $91,739 |
| Prints & Editions | 2011 | $7,028 |
| Prints & Editions | 2009 | $6,784‡ |
‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
The highest recorded result in each medium. See the full sale history on OpeningBid.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Paula Modersohn-Becker worth?
Across 89 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Paula Modersohn-Becker work is $9,082. The median Paula Modersohn-Becker painting sells for $150,220 across 37 lots. The median Paula Modersohn-Becker print sells for $3,236 across 23 lots. The median Paula Modersohn-Becker work on paper sells for $7,939 across 22 lots. Medium (50–120 cm) Paula Modersohn-Becker paintings typically sell for $86,817–$292,179 (the middle half of 25 sold lots). Small (under 50 cm) Paula Modersohn-Becker prints typically sell for $1,968–$4,646 (the middle half of 23 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 Paula Modersohn-Becker painting?
Based on 37 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Paula Modersohn-Becker painting is $150,220. 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 Paula Modersohn-Becker's most expensive painting?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Paula Modersohn-Becker painting is $810,173.
What is the average price of a Paula Modersohn-Becker print?
Based on 23 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Paula Modersohn-Becker print is $3,236. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).
What is Paula Modersohn-Becker's most expensive print?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Paula Modersohn-Becker print is $7,028.
What is the average price of a Paula Modersohn-Becker work on paper?
Based on 22 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Paula Modersohn-Becker work on paper is $7,939. 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 Paula Modersohn-Becker's most expensive work on paper?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Paula Modersohn-Becker work on paper is $585,608.
What is the average price of a medium Paula Modersohn-Becker painting?
Based on 25 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Paula Modersohn-Becker painting (medium (50–120 cm)) is $150,220, 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 small Paula Modersohn-Becker print?
Based on 23 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Paula Modersohn-Becker print (small (under 50 cm)) is $3,236, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).
What is Paula Modersohn-Becker's auction record?
Paula Modersohn-Becker's auction record is $810,173, set in 2007.
See the full Paula Modersohn-Becker record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Paula Modersohn-Becker on OpeningBid →