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

# Rudolf Bauer (1889–1953)

## What is Rudolf Bauer’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 148 auction results for Rudolf Bauer at 26 houses since 1989. Over the last 24 months the median price was $127,000 including buyer’s premium (middle half $1,950–$240,000, n=13). The auction record is $662,248 for Tanzende Bälle (Dancing Balls) (2024, Sotheby's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tanzende Bälle (Dancing Balls), 1935 | Oil on canvas | $662,248 | Sotheby's | Mar 2024 |
| 2 | Composition with Red Circle, 1930 | Oil paint | $533,400 | Christie's | Nov 2025 |
| 3 | Third Symphony in 3 Movements, Triptych (left section), 1930 | Oil paint | $375,000 | Christie's | Dec 2020 |
| 4 | Rondo, 1923 | Oil paint | $327,600 | Christie's | May 2023 |
| 5 | Allegro, 1938 | Oil paint | $297,501 | Sotheby's | Mar 2025 |
| 6 | Composition | Oil on canvas | $290,500 | Sotheby's | Nov 2009 |
| 7 | Pink Circle, 1938 | Oil on canvas | $271,625 | Karl & Faber | Jun 2024 |
| 8 | Sinfonie 23 | Oil on canvas | $254,500 | Sotheby's | Oct 2008 |
| 9 | Center accent, 1935 | Oil paint | $250,703 | Sotheby's | Oct 2025 |
| 10 | Untitled (Purple Accent Variation 2), 1930 | Oil paint | $245,000 | Christie's | Nov 2014 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 25 | $182,500 |
| Other | 6 | $13,888 |
| Works on paper | 52 | $2,072 |
| Prints | 12 | $425 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 9 | $250,703 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 25 | $45,304 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 55 | $1,610 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 148 results from 26 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Rudolf Bauer is a German artist with 205 auction lots recorded since 1989, median price $4,312. 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 Rudolf Bauer sold in 2025 for $14,025, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Rudolf Bauer work worth?

Across 148 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Rudolf Bauer work is $4,312.

The median Rudolf Bauer work on paper sells for $2,569 across 87 lots.

The median Rudolf Bauer painting sells for $176,500 across 40 lots.

The median Rudolf Bauer print sells for $450 across 15 lots.

Small (under 50 cm) Rudolf Bauer work on papers typically sell for $550–$5,760 (the middle half of 65 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 | 26 | $450‡ | $6,186‡ | 57.7% | 2025-05-31 |
| Paintings | 44 | $176,500‡ | $719,250‡ | 90.9% | 2025-11-18 |
| Works on Paper | 111 | $2,569†‡ | $194,085‡ | 78.4% | 2026-06-05 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 28 | $263,062‡ | $719,250‡ | — | 2025-11-18 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

Rudolf Bauer's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (26 lots) median $450 with 57.7% sell-through. Paintings (44 lots) median $176,500, record $719,250. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified. A typical Rudolf Bauer painting sells for around 392× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 28 lots) the median is $263,062.

## Price by size

### Prints & Editions

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 13 | $340–$1,062‡ | $476‡ | $6,186‡ |

‡ 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 | $406–$15,120 | $3,280 | $106,250 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 16 | $127,000–$256,375‡ | $216,172‡ | $662,248 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 15 | $140,500–$383,700‡ | $297,501‡ | $719,250‡ |

‡ 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) | 65 | $550–$5,760†‡ | $1,750†‡ | $61,000 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 19 | $5,974–$28,634‡ | $12,938‡ | $194,085‡ |

† 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 | 2011 | $719,250‡ |
| Paintings | 2024 | $662,248 |
| Works on Paper | 2011 | $194,085‡ |
| Works on Paper | 2014 | $85,724‡ |
| Prints & Editions | 2011 | $6,186‡ |
| Prints & Editions | 2025 | $1,950 |

‡ 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 Rudolf Bauer worth?

Across 148 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Rudolf Bauer work is $4,312. The median Rudolf Bauer work on paper sells for $2,569 across 87 lots. The median Rudolf Bauer painting sells for $176,500 across 40 lots. The median Rudolf Bauer print sells for $450 across 15 lots. Small (under 50 cm) Rudolf Bauer work on papers typically sell for $550–$5,760 (the middle half of 65 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 Rudolf Bauer work on paper?

Based on 87 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Rudolf Bauer work on paper is $2,569. 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 Rudolf Bauer's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Rudolf Bauer work on paper is $194,085. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.

### What is the average price of a Rudolf Bauer painting?

Based on 40 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Rudolf Bauer painting is $176,500. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Rudolf Bauer's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Rudolf Bauer painting is $719,250. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.

### What is the average price of a Rudolf Bauer print?

Based on 15 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Rudolf Bauer print is $450. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Rudolf Bauer's most expensive print?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Rudolf Bauer print is $6,186. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.

### What is the average price of a small Rudolf Bauer work on paper?

Based on 65 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Rudolf Bauer work on paper (small (under 50 cm)) is $1,750, 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 Rudolf Bauer work on paper?

Based on 19 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Rudolf Bauer work on paper (medium (50–120 cm)) is $12,938, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Rudolf Bauer's auction record?

Rudolf Bauer's auction record is $719,250, set in 2011. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.

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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, “Rudolf Bauer auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/rudolf-bauer (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.