> Source: https://www.openingbid.art/artist/samuel-fosso · updated 2026-11-03

# Samuel Fosso (b. 1962)

## What is Samuel Fosso’s work worth? {#value}

As of 3 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 32 auction results for Samuel Fosso at 8 houses since 2011. Over the last 24 months the median price was $10,910 including buyer’s premium (middle half $6,494–$18,919, n=7). The auction record is $85,002 for Le Marin, Tati Series (2022, Sotheby's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | La femme américaine libérée des années 70, Tati Series, 1997 | Pigment print, printed later. Numbered 3 of 3 on the accompanying certificate of authenticity | $31,208 | Sotheby's | Mar 2021 |
| 2 | Le Chef (Celui qui a vendu l'Afrique aux colons), 1962 | Photographs | $28,143 | PIASA | Jun 2026 |
| 3 | LE CHEF: CELUI A VENDU L'AFRIQUE AUX COLONS, TATI SERIES, 1997 | Chromogenic print | $26,264 | Sotheby's | Mar 2020 |
| 4 | LA FEMME AMÉRICAINE LIBERÉE DES ANNÉES 70, TATI SERIES, 1997 | Chromogenic print | $24,719 | Sotheby's | Mar 2020 |
| 5 | Le Chef: Celui Qui A Vendu L’Afrique Aux Colons (The Chief who Sold Africa to the Colonists), 1997 | Hand coloring | $22,695 | Christie's | Oct 2022 |
| 6 | African Spirits (St Sébastien), 1962 | Samuel Fosso (né en 1962, Cameroun) | $22,218 | PIASA | Jun 2026 |
| 7 | Martin Luther King Speech, African Spirits Series, 2008 | Laser exposed silver print, printed later | $20,806 | Sotheby's | Mar 2021 |

**Top auction records: prints & editions**

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Le Marin, Tati Series, 2003 | Chromogenic print, printed 2003 | $85,002 | Sotheby's | Oct 2022 |
| 2 | Le Pirate, Tati Series, 2003 | Chromogenic print, printed 2003 | $85,002 | Sotheby's | Oct 2022 |
| 3 | SM17, 70s Lifestyle Series, 1975-1978 | Laser exposed silver print, printed later | $17,338 | Sotheby's | Mar 2021 |

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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Photographs | 30 | $9,863 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 6 | $18,919 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 13 | $17,338 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 12 | $2,405 |

Data as of 3 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 32 results from 8 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Samuel Fosso is a Cameroonian artist with 39 auction lots recorded since 2008, median price $10,398.

A work by Samuel Fosso sold in 2026 for $13,551, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Samuel Fosso work worth?

Across 32 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Samuel Fosso work is $10,398.

The median Samuel Fosso photograph sells for $10,654 across 32 lots.

## Price breakdown by category

| Category | Lots tracked | Median price | Record price | Sell-through | Last sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prints & Editions | 1 | — | — | 0% | — |
| Photography | 33 | $10,654 | $85,002 | 97% | 2026-10-01 |

## Price by size

### Photography

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 12 | $1,426–$6,276 | $2,405 | $12,132 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 14 | $11,016–$24,213 | $15,761 | $85,002 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 6 | $10,900–$26,662 | $18,919 | $31,208 |

Size is the work's longest edge. Cells appear only with at least 5 sold lots.

## Notable results

| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Photography | 2022 | $85,002 |
| Photography | 2022 | $85,002 |

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 Samuel Fosso worth?

Across 32 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Samuel Fosso work is $10,398. The median Samuel Fosso photograph sells for $10,654 across 32 lots.

### What is the average price of a Samuel Fosso photograph?

Based on 32 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Samuel Fosso photograph is $10,654.

### What is Samuel Fosso's most expensive photograph?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Samuel Fosso photograph is $85,002.

### What is the average price of a medium Samuel Fosso photograph?

Based on 14 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Samuel Fosso photograph (medium (50–120 cm)) is $15,761, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

### What is the average price of a small Samuel Fosso photograph?

Based on 12 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Samuel Fosso photograph (small (under 50 cm)) is $2,405, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

### What is Samuel Fosso's auction record?

Samuel Fosso's auction record is $85,002, set in 2022.

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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, “Samuel Fosso auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/samuel-fosso (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.