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

# Thomas Ruff (b. 1958)

## What is Thomas Ruff’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 889 auction results for Thomas Ruff at 59 houses since 1998. Over the last 24 months the median price was $8,589 including buyer’s premium (middle half $2,271–$24,225, n=60). The auction record is $540,000 for Substrat 30 III (2018, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Substrat 30 III, 2007 | Chromogenic print in artist’s frame | $540,000 | Christie's | Sep 2018 |
| 2 | Jpeg pt01, 2006 | C-print face mounted on Plexiglas in artist's frame | $239,707 | Christie's | Mar 2017 |
| 3 | 17h 36m/-36 (STE 6.12), 1990 | Ektacolor print face-mounted on Plexiglas, wood frame | $225,549 | Christie's | Nov 2007 |
| 4 | Substrat 2 II, 2002 | Inkjet print face-mounted on Plexiglas, wood frame | $188,302 | Christie's | Nov 2007 |
| 5 | Nudes ree07 (NUD 034), 2000 | Chromogenic color print face mounted on Plexiglas, wood frame | $169,940 | Christie's | Nov 2006 |
| 6 | Nudes yv16 (NUD 038), 2000 | Chromogenic color print face mounted on Plexiglas, wood frame | $169,940 | Christie's | Nov 2006 |
| 7 | Nudes KY 02 | — | $164,542 | Sotheby's | Feb 2007 |
| 8 | Nudes ji01 (NUD 064), 2000 | Laserchrome print face mounted on Plexiglas | $154,079 | Christie's | Nov 2006 |
| 9 | Nudes GF 10 | — | $152,789 | Sotheby's | Feb 2007 |

**Top auction records: prints & editions**

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nudes gr21, 2002 | Chromogenic color print mounted with Diasec face, wood frame | $150,000 | Christie's | May 2005 |

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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Photographs | 382 | $22,770 |
| Other | 171 | $16,272 |
| Works on paper | 27 | $4,375 |
| Prints | 34 | $3,256 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 317 | $36,778 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 131 | $6,138 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 138 | $2,236 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 889 results from 59 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Thomas Ruff is a German artist with 1,180 auction lots recorded since 1998, median price $11,188. 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 Thomas Ruff sold in 2026 for $36,120, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

**6 Thomas Ruff works are coming to auction** (as of 2026-11-02).

- [Thomas Ruff on OpeningBid](https://www.openingbid.art/artist/thomas-ruff?ref=kg:thomas-ruff) — follow free in the OpeningBid app for sale alerts.

## What is a Thomas Ruff work worth?

Across 888 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Thomas Ruff work is $11,188.

The median Thomas Ruff photograph sells for $13,805 across 661 lots.

The median Thomas Ruff print sells for $4,375 across 139 lots.

The median Thomas Ruff work on paper sells for $19,432 across 14 lots.

Large (over 120 cm) Thomas Ruff photographs typically sell for $20,858–$70,965 (the middle half of 314 sold lots).

Small (under 50 cm) Thomas Ruff photographs typically sell for $1,294–$3,337 (the middle half of 205 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 | 183 | $4,375†‡ | $188,302 | 76% | 2025-11-29 |
| Works on Paper | 16 | $19,432‡ | $121,000 | 87.5% | 2022-06-02 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 12 | $14,766 | $36,000 | 91.7% | 2026-10-22 |
| Photography | 807 | $13,805†‡ | $540,000 | 81.9% | 2026-10-08 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 54 | $120,637 | $540,000 | — | 2025-12-03 |

† 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) | 21 | $2,080–$4,375‡ | $4,200‡ | $13,162 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 71 | $856–$4,749†‡ | $1,758†‡ | $85,704 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 41 | $28,419–$85,030‡ | $57,150‡ | $188,302 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

‡ 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) | 6 | $1,446–$2,681 | $1,876 | $8,400 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 8 | $61,391–$99,206‡ | $79,908‡ | $121,000 |

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

### Sculpture & Installation

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 9 | $7,200–$15,902 | $12,500 | $27,643 |

### Photography

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 205 | $1,294–$3,337†‡ | $2,125†‡ | $16,335 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 119 | $2,553–$15,000†‡ | $5,100†‡ | $79,000 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 314 | $20,858–$70,965†‡ | $35,960†‡ | $540,000 |

† 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Photography | 2018 | $540,000 |
| Photography | 2017 | $239,707 |
| Prints & Editions | 2007 | $188,302 |
| Prints & Editions | 2001 | $126,034 |
| Works on Paper | 2008 | $121,000 |
| Works on Paper | 2006 | $114,000 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2007 | $36,000 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2024 | $27,643 |

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 Thomas Ruff worth?

Across 888 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Thomas Ruff work is $11,188. The median Thomas Ruff photograph sells for $13,805 across 661 lots. The median Thomas Ruff print sells for $4,375 across 139 lots. The median Thomas Ruff work on paper sells for $19,432 across 14 lots. Large (over 120 cm) Thomas Ruff photographs typically sell for $20,858–$70,965 (the middle half of 314 sold lots). Small (under 50 cm) Thomas Ruff photographs typically sell for $1,294–$3,337 (the middle half of 205 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 Thomas Ruff photograph?

Based on 661 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Thomas Ruff photograph is $13,805. 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 Thomas Ruff's most expensive photograph?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Thomas Ruff photograph is $540,000.

### What is the average price of a Thomas Ruff print?

Based on 139 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Thomas Ruff print is $4,375. 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 Thomas Ruff's most expensive print?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Thomas Ruff print is $188,302.

### What is the average price of a Thomas Ruff work on paper?

Based on 14 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Thomas Ruff work on paper is $19,432. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Thomas Ruff's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Thomas Ruff work on paper is $121,000.

### What is the average price of a large Thomas Ruff photograph?

Based on 314 sold lots, the median auction price of a large Thomas Ruff photograph (large (over 120 cm)) is $35,960, 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 small Thomas Ruff photograph?

Based on 205 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Thomas Ruff photograph (small (under 50 cm)) is $2,125, 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 Thomas Ruff's auction record?

Thomas Ruff's auction record is $540,000, set in 2018.

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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, “Thomas Ruff auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/thomas-ruff (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.