> Source: https://www.openingbid.art/artist/paula-modersohn-becker · updated 2026-11-03

# Paula Modersohn-Becker (b. 1940)

## What is Paula Modersohn-Becker’s work worth? {#value}

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.

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

| # | 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 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 27 | $151,364 |
| Works on paper | 15 | $10,240 |
| Other | 6 | $7,795 |
| Prints | 14 | $3,243 |

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

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


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).

- [Paula Modersohn-Becker on OpeningBid](https://www.openingbid.art/artist/paula-modersohn-becker?ref=kg:paula-modersohn-becker) — follow free in the OpeningBid app for sale alerts.

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

## 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.

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Data last updated 2026-11-03. OpeningBid tracks 15,596,131 auction lots from 579 auction houses, refreshed nightly.

Cite this page as: OpeningBid, “Paula Modersohn-Becker auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/paula-modersohn-becker (updated 2026-11-03).

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.