Wolfgang Paalen (1905–1959)
What is Wolfgang Paalen’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 67 auction results for Wolfgang Paalen at 15 houses since 2001. Over the last 24 months the median price was $37,050 including buyer’s premium (middle half $4,476–$50,901, n=10). The auction record is $1,016,000 for Fata Alaska (2025, Sotheby's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fata Alaska, 1937 | Oil paint | $1,016,000 | Sotheby's | Nov 2025 |
| 2 | Taches solaires, 1938 | Oil paint | $915,378 | Christie's | Feb 2023 |
| 3 | Pays interdit, 1936 | Oil paint | $610,252 | Christie's | Feb 2023 |
| 4 | Pays (paysage) médusé, 1905 | Painting | $562,260 | Christie's | Dec 2009 |
| 5 | Paysage totémique de mon enfance (III), 1937 | Oil paint | $280,375 | Christie's | Mar 2022 |
| 6 | La roue de l'orage, 1936 | Oil paint | $242,056 | Christie's | Mar 2025 |
| 7 | Untitled (oil on canvas), 1946 | Oil paint | $209,000 | Christie's | Nov 2013 |
| 8 | Aérogyl bleu, 1944 | Huile sur toile | $171,450 | Christie's | Nov 2012 |
| 9 | Portrait d'Einstein, 1940 | Painting | $150,312 | Bonhams | Nov 2021 |
| 10 | Projet pour un monument, 1948 | Tzalam 'wild Tamarind' wood | $143,524 | Christie's | Mar 2023 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 40 | $43,824 |
| Other | 6 | $15,699 |
| Works on paper | 14 | $10,926 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 8 | $190,225 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 22 | $37,726 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 33 | $20,748 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 67 results from 15 houses · How we compute these figures
Wolfgang Paalen is an Austrian artist with 81 auction lots recorded since 1992, median price $30,330. Some sold prices are not yet verified as premium-inclusive or hammer, and are marked on this page.
A work by Wolfgang Paalen sold in 2026 for $54,732, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
5 Wolfgang Paalen works are coming to auction (as of 2026-11-02). Follow Wolfgang Paalen free on OpeningBid for sale alerts.
See the full Wolfgang Paalen record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Wolfgang Paalen on OpeningBid →What is a Wolfgang Paalen work worth?
Across 67 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Wolfgang Paalen work is $30,330.
The median Wolfgang Paalen painting sells for $59,678 across 34 lots.
The median Wolfgang Paalen work on paper sells for $10,637 across 19 lots.
The median Wolfgang Paalen sculpture sells for $25,194 across 3 lots.
Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).
Price breakdown by category
| Category | Lots tracked | Median price | Record price | Sell-through | Last sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prints & Editions | 3 | $1,225 | $1,250 | 66.7% | 2025-09-18 |
| Paintings | 39 | $59,678 | $1M | 87.2% | 2026-06-19 |
| Works on Paper | 21 | $10,637‡ | $66,027 | 90.5% | 2025-05-15 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 3 | $25,194 | $143,524 | — | 2023-03-03 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 11 | $242,056 | $1M | — | 2025-11-20 |
‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Wolfgang Paalen's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (3 lots) median $1,225 with 66.7% sell-through. Paintings (39 lots) median $59,678, record $1,016,000. A typical Wolfgang Paalen painting sells for around 49× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 11 lots) the median is $242,056.
Price by size
Paintings
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 11 | $29,884–$38,885 | $36,000 | $280,375 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 15 | $34,175–$119,955 | $67,290 | $1M |
| large (over 120 cm) | 7 | $88,747–$402,158 | $209,000 | $915,378 |
Works on Paper
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 13 | $2,550–$20,748‡ | $10,514‡ | $66,027 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 6 | $8,632–$26,943 | $15,415 | $36,449 |
‡ 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 | 2025 | $1M |
| Paintings | 2023 | $915,378 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2023 | $143,524 |
| Works on Paper | 2021 | $66,027 |
| Works on Paper | 2022 | $39,253 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2020 | $25,194 |
| Prints & Editions | 2017 | $1,250 |
| Prints & Editions | 2025 | $1,200 |
The highest recorded result in each medium. See the full sale history on OpeningBid.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Wolfgang Paalen worth?
Across 67 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Wolfgang Paalen work is $30,330. The median Wolfgang Paalen painting sells for $59,678 across 34 lots. The median Wolfgang Paalen work on paper sells for $10,637 across 19 lots. The median Wolfgang Paalen sculpture sells for $25,194 across 3 lots. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).
What is the average price of a Wolfgang Paalen painting?
Based on 34 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Wolfgang Paalen painting is $59,678.
What is Wolfgang Paalen's most expensive painting?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Wolfgang Paalen painting is $1,016,000.
What is the average price of a Wolfgang Paalen work on paper?
Based on 19 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Wolfgang Paalen work on paper is $10,637. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).
What is Wolfgang Paalen's most expensive work on paper?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Wolfgang Paalen work on paper is $66,027.
What is the average price of a medium Wolfgang Paalen painting?
Based on 15 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Wolfgang Paalen painting (medium (50–120 cm)) is $67,290, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
What is the average price of a small Wolfgang Paalen work on paper?
Based on 13 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Wolfgang Paalen work on paper (small (under 50 cm)) is $10,514, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).
What is Wolfgang Paalen's auction record?
Wolfgang Paalen's auction record is $1,016,000, set in 2025.
See the full Wolfgang Paalen record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Wolfgang Paalen on OpeningBid →