Werner Bischof (1916–1954)
What is Werner Bischof’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 58 auction results for Werner Bischof at 16 houses since 1995. Over the last 24 months the median price was $755 including buyer’s premium (middle half $557–$1,120, n=10). The auction record is $14,526 for SUR LA ROUTE DE CUZCO, PÉROU (2016, Tajan). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | SUR LA ROUTE DE CUZCO, PÉROU, 1954 | Tirage argentique d'époque | $14,526 | Tajan | Jun 2016 |
| 2 | Courtyard of the Meiji Shrine, Tokyo, Japan, 1951 | Pencil on verso | $9,375 | Swann Auction Galleries | Feb 2024 |
| 3 | Auf dem Weg nach Cuzco, Peru, 1954 | Cartes-de-visite | $4,703 | Kunsthaus Lempertz | Jun 2016 |
| 4 | In the Court of the Meiji Temple, Tokyo, Japan, 1952 | Cartes-de-visite | $4,178 | Kunsthaus Lempertz | Jun 2021 |
| 5 | Japan, 1951 | Pencil and one with a label with a typed title | $3,750 | Swann Auction Galleries | May 2024 |
| 6 | Shinto priests in the courtyard of the Meiji Temple, Tokyo, 1951 | Gelatin silver print, printed later, framed | $3,098 | Bonhams | Jun 2026 |
| 7 | Sur la route de Cuzco Pérou, le joueur de flûte, 1954 | Gelatin silver print | $3,028 | Ader | Nov 2020 |
| 8 | Le joueur de flûte sur la route de Cuzco. Pérou 1954, circa 1980 | Épreuve argentique | $2,411 | Ader | Oct 2025 |
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | In the Court of the Meiji Temple, Tokyo, Japan, 1952 | Cartes-de-visite | $5,761 | Kunsthaus Lempertz | Dec 2020 |
| 2 | In the Court of the Meiji Temple, Tokyo, Japan, 1952 | Cartes-de-visite | $4,978 | Kunsthaus Lempertz | May 2019 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Photographs | 31 | $1,194 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Small (under 50 cm) | 26 | $1,921 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 58 results from 16 houses · How we compute these figures
Werner Bischof is a Swiss artist with 96 auction lots recorded since 1995, median price $1,042. 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 Werner Bischof sold in 2026 for $1,536, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
3 Werner Bischof works are coming to auction (as of 2026-11-02). Follow Werner Bischof free on OpeningBid for sale alerts.
See the full Werner Bischof record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Werner Bischof on OpeningBid →What is a Werner Bischof work worth?
Across 58 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Werner Bischof work is $1,042.
The median Werner Bischof photograph sells for $1,194 across 53 lots.
The median Werner Bischof print sells for $437 across 3 lots.
Small (under 50 cm) Werner Bischof photographs typically sell for $572–$2,371 (the middle half of 43 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 | 5 | $437† | $648† | 60% | 2025-02-20 |
| Photography | 70 | $1,194†‡ | $14,526 | 75.7% | 2026-10-08 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 3 | $9,375 | $14,526 | — | 2024-02-15 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Price by size
Photography
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 43 | $572–$2,371†‡ | $1,239†‡ | $9,375 |
† 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 | 2016 | $14,526 |
| Photography | 2024 | $9,375 |
| Prints & Editions | 2009 | $648† |
| Prints & Editions | 2025 | $437 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.
The highest recorded result in each medium. See the full sale history on OpeningBid.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Werner Bischof worth?
Across 58 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Werner Bischof work is $1,042. The median Werner Bischof photograph sells for $1,194 across 53 lots. The median Werner Bischof print sells for $437 across 3 lots. Small (under 50 cm) Werner Bischof photographs typically sell for $572–$2,371 (the middle half of 43 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 Werner Bischof photograph?
Based on 53 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Werner Bischof photograph is $1,194. 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 Werner Bischof's most expensive photograph?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Werner Bischof photograph is $14,526.
What is the average price of a small Werner Bischof photograph?
Based on 43 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Werner Bischof photograph (small (under 50 cm)) is $1,239, 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 Werner Bischof's auction record?
Werner Bischof's auction record is $14,526, set in 2016.
See the full Werner Bischof record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Werner Bischof on OpeningBid →