Ruth Bernhard (1905–2006)
What is Ruth Bernhard’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 422 auction results for Ruth Bernhard at 26 houses since 1992. Over the last 24 months the median price was $2,178 including buyer’s premium (middle half $1,270–$3,677, n=66). The auction record is $37,000 for 'ruth bernhard' (2007, Sotheby's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 'ruth bernhard' | — | $37,000 | Sotheby's | Oct 2007 |
| 2 | (1905-2006); Ruth Bernhard; (10), 1934 | Platinum | $35,700 | Bonhams | Sep 2025 |
| 3 | Ensemble of eleven photographs, various titles and dates 1934-1976, 1934 | Photographs | $25,400 | Sotheby's | Apr 2025 |
| 4 | 'RUTH BERNHARD', 1993 | Platinum-palladium photographs | $25,000 | Sotheby's | Jul 2020 |
| 5 | Balancing., 1971 | " Silver print | $23,750 | Swann Auction Galleries | Oct 2014 |
| 6 | IN THE BOX - HORIZONTAL, 1962 | Mounted, printed later | $22,500 | Sotheby's | Oct 2009 |
| 7 | 'IN THE BOX - HORIZONTAL' | Mounted, signed by the photographer in pencil on the mount, titled by her in pencil on the reverse, matted, 1962, printed later (Eternal Body, pl. 19 and back cover; Between Art and Life, p. 104; Capturing Light, pl. 146) | $21,600 | Sotheby's | Apr 2007 |
| 8 | With Turban No. 1, 1971 | " Silver print | $21,250 | Swann Auction Galleries | Oct 2014 |
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | In the Box -- Horizontal, 1905 | Cartes-de-visite | $21,365 | Christie's | May 2007 |
| 2 | Draped Torso, 1905 | Cartes-de-visite | $20,000 | Christie's | Oct 2011 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Other | 82 | $4,775 |
| Photographs | 316 | $3,750 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Small (under 50 cm) | 361 | $3,840 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 6 | $3,592 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 422 results from 26 houses · How we compute these figures
Ruth Bernhard is an American artist with 797 auction lots recorded since 1992, median price $3,810. 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 Ruth Bernhard sold in 2026 for $13,970, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
2 Ruth Bernhard works are coming to auction (as of 2026-11-02). Follow Ruth Bernhard free on OpeningBid for sale alerts.
See the full Ruth Bernhard record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Ruth Bernhard on OpeningBid →What is a Ruth Bernhard work worth?
Across 420 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Ruth Bernhard work is $3,810.
The median Ruth Bernhard photograph sells for $3,840 across 380 lots.
The median Ruth Bernhard print sells for $2,750 across 11 lots.
The median Ruth Bernhard work on paper sells for $2,115 across 1 lots.
Small (under 50 cm) Ruth Bernhard photographs typically sell for $2,238–$6,240 (the middle half of 356 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 | 17 | $2,750† | $35,700 | 64.7% | 2026-10-15 |
| Works on Paper | 2 | $2,115 | $2,115 | 50% | 2001-04-06 |
| Photography | 466 | $3,840†‡ | $25,400 | 81.5% | 2026-10-09 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 21 | $20,000 | $37,000 | — | 2025-09-11 |
† 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) | 9 | $2,413–$7,500† | $2,750† | $35,700 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.
Photography
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 356 | $2,238–$6,240†‡ | $3,840†‡ | $25,000 |
† 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 | 2025 | $35,700 |
| Photography | 2025 | $25,400 |
| Photography | 2020 | $25,000 |
| Prints & Editions | 2026 | $13,970 |
| Works on Paper | 2001 | $2,115 |
The highest recorded result in each medium. See the full sale history on OpeningBid.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Ruth Bernhard worth?
Across 420 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Ruth Bernhard work is $3,810. The median Ruth Bernhard photograph sells for $3,840 across 380 lots. The median Ruth Bernhard print sells for $2,750 across 11 lots. The median Ruth Bernhard work on paper sells for $2,115 across 1 lots. Small (under 50 cm) Ruth Bernhard photographs typically sell for $2,238–$6,240 (the middle half of 356 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 Ruth Bernhard photograph?
Based on 380 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Ruth Bernhard photograph is $3,840. 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 Ruth Bernhard's most expensive photograph?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Ruth Bernhard photograph is $25,400.
What is the average price of a Ruth Bernhard print?
Based on 11 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Ruth Bernhard print is $2,750. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.
What is Ruth Bernhard's most expensive print?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Ruth Bernhard print is $35,700.
What is the average price of a small Ruth Bernhard photograph?
Based on 356 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Ruth Bernhard photograph (small (under 50 cm)) is $3,840, 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 Ruth Bernhard's auction record?
Ruth Bernhard's auction record is $37,000, set in 2007.
See the full Ruth Bernhard record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Ruth Bernhard on OpeningBid →