What is a Thomas Ruff photograph worth?
b. 1958 · Price guide from past auction results
Based on 309 priced auction sales, works by Thomas Ruff have sold for a median of $10,633Sign up free to see. Half of them sold between $3,239Sign up free to see and $28,227Sign up free to see. For photographs alone, the median is $13,568Sign up free to see across 270 sales. In the last five years the median was $12,056Sign up free to see across 99 sales. These are past auction results, not a valuation: medium, size, condition and provenance all change what a particular work brings.
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Thomas Ruff prices by medium
- Auction results
- 346
- Sold rate
- 89%
- Active at auction
- 2001–2026
- Median price
- $10.6kSign up free to see
- Record price
- $143kSign up free to see "13h 18m/-60°", Van Ham, Jun 2015
| Medium | Priced sales | Typical range | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Photographs | 270 | $3.4k–$30.8kSign up free to see | $13.6kSign up free to see |
| Prints | 28 | $3k–$9.3kSign up free to see | $4.8kSign up free to see |
| Works on Paper | 3 | $12.7k–$17.8kSign up free to see | $14.8kSign up free to see |
Top auction houses: Phillips (167), Lempertz (61), Van Ham (49)
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Typical range is the middle half of priced sales (USD at the sale-date rate). Past auction results, not a valuation.
Prices by size
| Size (longest side) | Priced sales | Typical range | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small (under 30 cm) | 62 | $1.5k–$4.4kSign up free to see | $2.7kSign up free to see |
| Mid-size (30–75 cm) | 69 | $2.3k–$5.1kSign up free to see | $3.5kSign up free to see |
| Large (75–150 cm) | 80 | $9.2k–$26.8kSign up free to see | $18.2kSign up free to see |
| Very large (over 150 cm) | 96 | $23.8k–$68kSign up free to see | $35.2kSign up free to see |
Recent Thomas Ruff sales
- cas 20 (from the series: Cassini), Chromogenic print, flush-mounted to aluminium composite panel, printed — $7,391Sign up free to see, Lempertz, Jun 6, 2026
- cas 29 (from the series: Cassini), Chromogenic print, flush-mounted to aluminium composite panel, printed — $8,131Sign up free to see, Lempertz, Jun 6, 2026
- Interiors (Interieurs) (set of three), dye transfer print — $6,400Sign up free to see, Rago Auctions, May 5, 2026
- nudes er10, Chromogenic print, Diasec mounted — $18,060Sign up free to see, Phillips, Apr 11, 2026
- Porträt (T. Bernstein), Chromogenic print, Diasec mounted — $14,190Sign up free to see, Phillips, Apr 11, 2026
- phg.11, Chromogenic print, Diasec mounted — $47,730Sign up free to see, Phillips, Apr 11, 2026
- substrat 21-I, Inkjet print, Diasec mounted — $58,050Sign up free to see, Phillips, Apr 11, 2026
- h.e.k. 04, chromogenic print, mounted, in artist's frame — $10,305Sign up free to see, Phillips, Mar 3, 2026
Questions about Thomas Ruff prices
What is a Thomas Ruff photograph worth?
Based on 309 priced auction sales recorded by ArtSell, works by Thomas Ruff have sold for a median of $10,633, and half of them sold between $3,239 and $28,227. For photographs alone the median is $13,568 (270 sales). Medium, size, condition, subject and provenance all affect the price of a particular work; these are past auction results, not a valuation.
What is the most expensive work by Thomas Ruff sold at auction?
The highest price in ArtSell’s records is $142,609 for “"13h 18m/-60°"” at Van Ham in June 2015.
Which Thomas Ruff medium sells for the most?
By median price, works on paper lead with $14,767 (3 sales).
How often do Thomas Ruff works sell at auction?
89% of the 346 lots recorded between 2001 and 2026 sold.
How can I sell a Thomas Ruff photograph?
Request a free auction estimate on ArtSell: send photos and details, and our specialists will reply with an estimate. There is no obligation.
Of the 346 lots by Thomas Ruff recorded at auction between 2001 and 2026, 309 found a buyer (89%).
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