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

# Walter Battiss (1906–1982)

## What is Walter Battiss’s work worth? {#value}

As of 3 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 613 auction results for Walter Battiss at 6 houses since 2009. Over the last 24 months the median price was $945 including buyer’s premium (middle half $329–$2,608, n=218). The auction record is $42,945 for Multiple Mother and Child (2021, Bonhams). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Multiple Mother and Child, 1906 | Painting | $42,945 | Bonhams | Oct 2021 |
| 2 | Untitled (oil on board) | Oil on board | $38,901 | Strauss and Co | May 2026 |
| 3 | Blue Figures | Oil on canvas | $24,873 | Sotheby's | Mar 2023 |
| 4 | Sunset | Oil on canvas | $24,873 | Sotheby's | Mar 2023 |
| 5 | Abstract Composition, 1966 | Oil on canvas | $23,542 | Strauss and Co | Nov 2025 |
| 6 | Self-Portrait Alpha Batt 155, 1974 | Watercolour on paper laid down on board | $21,219 | Strauss and Co | May 2026 |
| 7 | Boys and Birds | Oil on canvas | $20,179 | Strauss and Co | Nov 2025 |
| 8 | River and Houses | Oil on canvas | $20,179 | Strauss and Co | Nov 2025 |
| 9 | Abstract Symbols, 1966 | Oil on canvas | $18,965 | Strauss and Co | Jul 2024 |
| 10 | Zanzibar | Oil on canvas | $15,356 | Strauss and Co | Feb 2025 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 62 | $8,547 |
| Works on paper | 73 | $1,449 |
| Prints | 116 | $1,034 |
| Other | 61 | $264 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 92 | $2,123 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 160 | $1,342 |

Data as of 3 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 613 results from 6 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Walter Battiss is a South African artist with 695 auction lots recorded since 2009, median price $1,647. Some sold prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium; they are marked on this page.

A work by Walter Battiss sold in 2026 for a hammer price of $6,205 (buyer's premium not included), according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Walter Battiss work worth?

Across 555 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Walter Battiss work is $1,647.

The median Walter Battiss print sells for $1,035 across 244 lots.

The median Walter Battiss work on paper sells for $1,506 across 140 lots.

The median Walter Battiss painting sells for $7,926 across 109 lots.

Small (under 50 cm) Walter Battiss prints typically sell for $527–$1,354 (the middle half of 62 sold lots).

Medium (50–120 cm) Walter Battiss prints typically sell for $846–$2,126 (the middle half of 50 sold lots).

Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

## Price breakdown by category

| Category | Lots tracked | Median price | Record price | Sell-through | Last sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prints & Editions | 249 | $1,035† | $13,128 | 98% | 2026-07-14 |
| Paintings | 122 | $7,926† | $111,776† | 89.3% | 2026-06-18 |
| Works on Paper | 141 | $1,506† | $21,219 | — | 2026-07-21 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 4 | $1,173 | $1,173 | — | 2026-04-20 |
| Photography | 7 | $1,078 | $1,647 | — | 2025-06-30 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 17 | $20,179† | $111,776† | — | 2026-06-18 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

Walter Battiss's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (249 lots) median $1,035 with 98% sell-through. Paintings (122 lots) median $7,926, record $111,776. That record lot sold for a hammer price of $111,776 (buyer's premium not included). A typical Walter Battiss painting sells for around 7.7× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 17 lots) the median is $20,179.

## Price by size

### Prints & Editions

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 62 | $527–$1,354† | $777† | $13,128 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 50 | $846–$2,126 | $1,600 | $10,540 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

### Paintings

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 41 | $4,993–$12,288 | $7,322 | $42,945 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 25 | $5,148–$11,858† | $7,220† | $23,542 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

### Works on Paper

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 48 | $844–$2,022† | $1,120† | $7,134 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 12 | $1,766–$5,426 | $2,918 | $21,219 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

## Notable results

| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 2026 | $111,776† |
| Paintings | 2021 | $42,945 |
| Works on Paper | 2026 | $21,219 |
| Prints & Editions | 2025 | $13,128 |
| Prints & Editions | 2025 | $10,540 |
| Works on Paper | 2024 | $7,187 |
| Photography | 2025 | $1,647 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2026 | $1,173 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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 Walter Battiss worth?

Across 555 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Walter Battiss work is $1,647. The median Walter Battiss print sells for $1,035 across 244 lots. The median Walter Battiss work on paper sells for $1,506 across 140 lots. The median Walter Battiss painting sells for $7,926 across 109 lots. Small (under 50 cm) Walter Battiss prints typically sell for $527–$1,354 (the middle half of 62 sold lots). Medium (50–120 cm) Walter Battiss prints typically sell for $846–$2,126 (the middle half of 50 sold lots). Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is the average price of a Walter Battiss print?

Based on 244 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Walter Battiss print is $1,035. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is Walter Battiss's most expensive print?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Walter Battiss print is $13,128.

### What is the average price of a Walter Battiss work on paper?

Based on 140 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Walter Battiss work on paper is $1,506. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is Walter Battiss's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Walter Battiss work on paper is $21,219.

### What is the average price of a Walter Battiss painting?

Based on 109 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Walter Battiss painting is $7,926. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is Walter Battiss's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Walter Battiss painting is $111,776. That record lot sold for a hammer price of $111,776 (buyer's premium not included).

### What is the average price of a small Walter Battiss print?

Based on 62 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Walter Battiss print (small (under 50 cm)) is $777, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is the average price of a medium Walter Battiss print?

Based on 50 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Walter Battiss print (medium (50–120 cm)) is $1,600, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

### What is Walter Battiss's auction record?

Walter Battiss's auction record is $111,776, set in 2026. That record lot sold for a hammer price of $111,776 (buyer's premium not included).

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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, “Walter Battiss auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/walter-battiss (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.