Karl Schmidt-Rottluff Auction Prices and Value Guide

Karl Schmidt-Rottluff auction prices are tracked in Appraisily's artist market index, with source-directory coverage of 1,402 records. Use this page to review sold-lot activity, market context, and valuation factors before requesting a formal appraisal.

Karl Schmidt-Rottluff auction prices: quick answer

Karl Schmidt-Rottluff auction prices depend on medium, size, date, condition, provenance, edition details, attribution confidence, and recent comparable auction sales.

Artist
Karl Schmidt-Rottluff
Source records
1,402
Market update
2026-02-16

Artist context

About Karl Schmidt-Rottluff

Karl Schmidt-Rottluff (1884–1976) was a German painter, printmaker, and sculptor recognized as one of the principal figures of twentieth-century Expressionism. Born in Rottluff, Saxony, he co-founded the influential artist group Die Brücke in Dresden in 1905 alongside Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, Erich Heckel, and Fritz Bleyl. The group championed bold color, simplified form, and emotional directness, principles that shaped the course of modern German art. Schmidt-Rottluff is especially celebrated for his powerful woodcuts, which helped redefine printmaking as a major expressive medium. After Die Brücke dissolved in 1913, he continued to develop a distinctive style characterized by vivid, non-naturalistic color and rhythmic composition. His later work expanded into sculpture, mosaic, and tapestry design. Major institutions including the Museum of Modern Art, Tate, and the Rijksmuseum hold significant collections of his work. The Nazi regime classified his art as "degenerate" in 1937, and he was barred from painting for several years before resuming work after World War II.

German ExpressionismDie Brückeoil paintingwoodcutlithographyetchinglandscapesportraitsstill lifenudes

Common works and media

Collectors and appraisers most frequently encounter Schmidt-Rottluff's woodcuts, which range from small-format prints to large-scale compositions with bold, angular forms. Color woodcuts from the 1910s are especially prized. His oil paintings on canvas include landscapes, portraits, and still lifes in vivid, expressive palettes. Lithographs, etchings, and drypoint prints appear regularly in the print market. Works on paper—including watercolors and ink drawings—also surface at auction. Sculptures in wood are rare but documented. Later works include tapestry designs and mosaics. Subject matter spans landscapes (particularly the Baltic coast and Swiss mountains), portraits of fellow artists and friends, nude figures, and floral still lifes.

Market and appraisal context

Karl Schmidt-Rottluff maintains a deep and liquid auction market spanning nearly three decades (1998–2026), with 704 recorded lots and 414 carrying realized prices. The market is anchored by regular appearances at premier German and international auction houses including Grisebach, Christie's, Kunsthaus Lempertz, Karl & Faber, Sotheby's, and Bonhams. Price dispersion is wide—realized prices range from €50 for later prints and minor works on paper to €2,472,000 for top-tier oil paintings—reflecting the broad range of media, periods, and formats in the artist's oeuvre. The median realized price of €7,500 and 75th percentile of €22,500 indicate that mid-range woodcuts, lithographs, and works on paper form the bulk of market activity, while museum-quality paintings and important early woodcuts occupy a premium tier. Recent auction volume has increased: 73 lots in the trailing twelve months versus 56 in the prior period, suggesting sustained or growing collector interest. German houses dominate (Grisebach, Lempertz, Karl & Faber, Stahl, Winterberg-Kunst), with international representation through Christie's, Sotheby's, Bonhams, Swann, and Rago Arts.

Auction categories and appraisal factors

Common auction categories

  • oil painting
  • woodcut
  • lithography
  • etching
  • drawing

Value drivers

  1. Medium: oil paintings generally command higher prices than works on paper or prints
  2. Woodcuts are among the artist's most recognized works and are frequently offered at auction
  3. Provenance: works with documented Die Brücke-era provenance or museum exhibition history carry premium value
  4. Date: early works from the 1905–1913 Die Brücke period are typically scarcer and more sought after
  5. Condition and edition: for prints, edition size, impression quality, and paper condition significantly affect value
  6. Medium is the primary value driver: oil paintings from the Die Brücke period (1905–1913) can reach seven figures, while woodcuts and prints in the mid-hundreds to tens of thousands depending on date, size, and edition

Appraisal caveats

  • The artist's output spans over six decades; generalizations about value should account for period, medium, and size.
  • Attribution and authenticity should be confirmed through catalogue raisonné or expert review.
  • Market conditions and realized prices vary significantly by sale venue, location, and timing.
  • The recorded lot count (704) reflects documented auction appearances; additional private sales and unreported transactions are not captured.

Evidence

Sources for artist context

This source-grounded artist context passed Appraisily's promotion threshold: high confidence, strong sources.

Source-grounded artist Markdown

Data basis

This page is built from Appraisily's public auction market index. Private transactions, incomplete sale feeds, and attribution changes may not be fully represented.

LLM-readable Markdown summary for Karl Schmidt-Rottluff

LLM summary index · LLM full index

Artist value FAQ

How much is Karl Schmidt-Rottluff worth?

Comparable public auction sales are the best starting point, but final value depends on the specific artwork, condition, size, medium, provenance, and attribution confidence.

Can Appraisily value my Karl Schmidt-Rottluff artwork?

Yes. Appraisily can review photos, dimensions, signatures, condition, provenance, and comparable market data to prepare a current valuation.