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

# BUSCH, WILHELM (1832–1908)

## What is BUSCH, WILHELM’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 192 auction results for BUSCH, WILHELM at 12 houses since 2004. Over the last 24 months the median price was $2,110 including buyer’s premium (middle half $950–$8,423, n=12). The auction record is $59,404 for Self portrait, pen and brown ink on paper (2020, Dorotheum). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Self portrait, pen and brown ink on paper, 1832 | Ink | $59,404 | Dorotheum | Oct 2020 |
| 2 | Rauferei auf der Kirchweih | Öl auf Holz | $55,357 | Karl & Faber | Nov 2017 |
| 3 | Plisch und Plum, Seventh Chapter, 1881-1882 | Pen and black ink, partly over pencil preparatory drawing, on firm wove paper | $42,332 | Karl & Faber | Nov 2024 |
| 4 | Herbstlicher Waldrand mit sitzender Rotjacke | Öl auf Papier, auf Pappe aufgezogen | $40,789 | Karl & Faber | Nov 2017 |
| 5 | Wiedensahler Bockmühle bei aufziehendem Sturm, 1870 | Oil on panel | $37,116 | Ketterer Kunst | Nov 2017 |
| 6 | Große Gewitterlandschaft mit Bauernhaus, Kühen und Flusslauf | Oil on panel | $35,694 | Ketterer Kunst | Jun 2009 |
| 7 | Bayerischer Bub (Bavarian boy), circa 1858 | Oil on paper | $35,447 | Karl & Faber | May 2023 |
| 8 | Unterhaltung - Bauernpaar, circa 1882 | Öl auf Malpappe, in zwei Teilen auf Holztafel aufgezogen | $34,180 | Ketterer Kunst | Mar 2005 |
| 9 | Gewitterlandschaft mit Bauernhaus, Kühen und Fluss | Öl auf Holz | $32,712 | Karl & Faber | Nov 2016 |
| 10 | Selbstkarikatur (Sammelbild mit neun Selbstbildnissen und einer Landschaft) | Öl auf Pappe, auf Holz aufgezogen | $29,537 | Karl & Faber | Nov 2020 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 90 | $9,568 |
| Works on paper | 33 | $5,236 |
| Other | 49 | $3,088 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Small (under 50 cm) | 167 | $6,724 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 192 results from 12 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


BUSCH, WILHELM is a German artist with 216 auction lots recorded since 1991, median price $6,599. 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 BUSCH, WILHELM sold in 2025 for $18,042, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

**1 BUSCH, WILHELM work is coming to auction** (as of 2026-11-02).

- [BUSCH, WILHELM on OpeningBid](https://www.openingbid.art/artist/wilhelm-busch?ref=kg:wilhelm-busch) — follow free in the OpeningBid app for sale alerts.

## What is a BUSCH, WILHELM work worth?

Across 191 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a BUSCH, WILHELM work is $6,599.

The median BUSCH, WILHELM painting sells for $9,666 across 107 lots.

The median BUSCH, WILHELM work on paper sells for $2,061 across 57 lots.

The median BUSCH, WILHELM print sells for $15,266 across 1 lots.

Small (under 50 cm) BUSCH, WILHELM paintings typically sell for $6,637–$14,175 (the middle half of 100 sold lots).

Small (under 50 cm) BUSCH, WILHELM work on papers typically sell for $1,252–$4,675 (the middle half of 56 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 | 2 | $15,266 | $15,266 | 50% | 2016-11-11 |
| Paintings | 120 | $9,666‡ | $55,357 | 89.2% | 2025-05-16 |
| Works on Paper | 61 | $2,061‡ | $23,758 | 93.4% | 2026-06-05 |
| Photography | 1 | $570‡ | $570‡ | — | 2026-06-06 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 10 | $36,405 | $59,404 | — | 2024-11-15 |

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

BUSCH, WILHELM's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (2 lots) median $15,266 with 50% sell-through. Paintings (120 lots) median $9,666, record $55,357. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 10 lots) the median is $36,405.

## Price by size

### Paintings

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 100 | $6,637–$14,175‡ | $9,682‡ | $40,789 |

‡ 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) | 56 | $1,252–$4,675‡ | $2,066‡ | $23,758 |

‡ 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 2017 | $55,357 |
| Paintings | 2017 | $40,789 |
| Works on Paper | 2022 | $23,758 |
| Prints & Editions | 2016 | $15,266 |
| Works on Paper | 2022 | $9,899 |
| Photography | 2026 | $570‡ |

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

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 BUSCH, WILHELM worth?

Across 191 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a BUSCH, WILHELM work is $6,599. The median BUSCH, WILHELM painting sells for $9,666 across 107 lots. The median BUSCH, WILHELM work on paper sells for $2,061 across 57 lots. The median BUSCH, WILHELM print sells for $15,266 across 1 lots. Small (under 50 cm) BUSCH, WILHELM paintings typically sell for $6,637–$14,175 (the middle half of 100 sold lots). Small (under 50 cm) BUSCH, WILHELM work on papers typically sell for $1,252–$4,675 (the middle half of 56 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 BUSCH, WILHELM painting?

Based on 107 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a BUSCH, WILHELM painting is $9,666. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is BUSCH, WILHELM's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a BUSCH, WILHELM painting is $55,357.

### What is the average price of a BUSCH, WILHELM work on paper?

Based on 57 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a BUSCH, WILHELM work on paper is $2,061. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is BUSCH, WILHELM's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a BUSCH, WILHELM work on paper is $23,758.

### What is the average price of a small BUSCH, WILHELM painting?

Based on 100 sold lots, the median auction price of a small BUSCH, WILHELM painting (small (under 50 cm)) is $9,682, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is the average price of a small BUSCH, WILHELM work on paper?

Based on 56 sold lots, the median auction price of a small BUSCH, WILHELM work on paper (small (under 50 cm)) is $2,066, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is BUSCH, WILHELM's auction record?

BUSCH, WILHELM's auction record is $59,404, set in 2020.

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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, “BUSCH, WILHELM auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/wilhelm-busch (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.