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

# Ruth Bernhard (1905–2006)

## What is Ruth Bernhard’s work worth? {#value}

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.

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

| # | 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 |

**Top auction records: prints & editions**

| # | 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 |

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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Other | 82 | $4,775 |
| Photographs | 316 | $3,750 |

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

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


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).

- [Ruth Bernhard on OpeningBid](https://www.openingbid.art/artist/ruth-bernhard?ref=kg:ruth-bernhard) — follow free in the OpeningBid app for sale alerts.

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

## 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.

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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, “Ruth Bernhard auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/ruth-bernhard (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.