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

# René Burri (1933–2014)

## What is René Burri’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 146 auction results for René Burri at 27 houses since 1999. Over the last 24 months the median price was $1,369 including buyer’s premium (middle half $675–$2,423, n=9). The auction record is $34,318 for São Paulo, Brazil (2016, Phillips). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | São Paulo, Brazil, 1960 | Gelatin silver print, printed 2012 | $34,318 | Phillips | Nov 2016 |
| 2 | Ernesto Che Guevara, Havana, Cuba, 1963 | Gelatin silver print, printed later | $20,103 | Phillips | May 2016 |
| 3 | São Paulo, Brazil, 2003 | Gelatin silver print, printed 2003 | $18,923 | Phillips | Nov 2015 |
| 4 | Rio de Janeiro, Brésil, 1960, 1960 | Cartes-de-visite | $16,024 | Christie's | Nov 2017 |
| 5 | Wilted Lotus Blossoms, former Summer Palace, Kunming Lake, Beijing, China, 1964 | Gelatin silver print, printed later | $15,888 | Phillips | May 2014 |
| 6 | São Paulo, Brazil, 1960 | Gelatin silver print, printed later | $15,534 | Phillips | May 2016 |
| 7 | In the Ministry of Health, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | Gelatin silver print, printed 2001 | $11,489 | Phillips | Nov 2017 |
| 8 | In the Ministry of Health, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | Gelatin silver print, printed later | $11,354 | Phillips | Nov 2015 |
| 9 | Sao Paulo, Brazil | Gelatin silver print, printed later | $10,498 | Phillips | Nov 2018 |

**Top auction records: prints & editions**

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wilted Lotus Blossoms, 1964 | Gelatin silver print, printed 2001 | $10,663 | Phillips | May 2013 |

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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Photographs | 95 | $3,400 |
| Other | 9 | $2,930 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 23 | $7,284 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 71 | $3,050 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 146 results from 27 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


René Burri is a Swiss artist with 193 auction lots recorded since 1999, median price $2,562. 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 René Burri sold in 2026 for $5,160, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

**1 René Burri work is coming to auction** (as of 2026-11-02).

- [René Burri on OpeningBid](https://www.openingbid.art/artist/rene-burri?ref=kg:rene-burri) — follow free in the OpeningBid app for sale alerts.

## What is a René Burri work worth?

Across 146 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a René Burri work is $2,562.

The median René Burri photograph sells for $2,930 across 133 lots.

The median René Burri print sells for $743 across 5 lots.

Small (under 50 cm) René Burri photographs typically sell for $1,434–$5,936 (the middle half of 99 sold lots).

Medium (50–120 cm) René Burri photographs typically sell for $2,416–$8,740 (the middle half of 25 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 | 6 | $743† | $2,667† | 83.3% | 2025-06-25 |
| Photography | 159 | $2,930†‡ | $34,318 | 83.6% | 2026-10-08 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 8 | $15,956 | $34,318 | — | 2017-11-10 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.

## Price by size

### Photography

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 99 | $1,434–$5,936†‡ | $2,592†‡ | $16,024 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 25 | $2,416–$8,740†‡ | $5,827†‡ | $20,103 |

† 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 | $34,318 |
| Photography | 2016 | $20,103 |
| Prints & Editions | 2024 | $2,667† |
| Prints & Editions | 2025 | $1,071 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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 René Burri worth?

Across 146 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a René Burri work is $2,562. The median René Burri photograph sells for $2,930 across 133 lots. The median René Burri print sells for $743 across 5 lots. Small (under 50 cm) René Burri photographs typically sell for $1,434–$5,936 (the middle half of 99 sold lots). Medium (50–120 cm) René Burri photographs typically sell for $2,416–$8,740 (the middle half of 25 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 René Burri photograph?

Based on 133 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a René Burri photograph is $2,930. 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 René Burri's most expensive photograph?

The highest price recorded at auction for a René Burri photograph is $34,318.

### What is the average price of a small René Burri photograph?

Based on 99 sold lots, the median auction price of a small René Burri photograph (small (under 50 cm)) is $2,592, 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 René Burri photograph?

Based on 25 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium René Burri photograph (medium (50–120 cm)) is $5,827, 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 René Burri's auction record?

René Burri's auction record is $34,318, 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, “René Burri auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/rene-burri (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.