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

# Ansel Adams (1902–1984)

Ansel Adams is an American artist with 500 auction lots recorded since 1991, median price $4,481. 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 Ansel Adams sold in 2026 for $6,604, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Ansel Adams work worth?

Across 424 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Ansel Adams work is $4,481.

The median Ansel Adams photograph sells for $5,200 across 384 lots.

The median Ansel Adams print sells for $325 across 9 lots.

The median Ansel Adams work on paper sells for $1,300 across 5 lots.

Small (under 50 cm) Ansel Adams photographs typically sell for $2,555–$22,842 (the middle half of 266 sold lots).

Medium (50–120 cm) Ansel Adams photographs typically sell for $2,150–$110,007 (the middle half of 27 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 | 9 | $325†‡ | $39,881 | — | 2024-04-24 |
| Works on Paper | 5 | $1,300 | $2,400 | — | 2025-09-20 |
| Photography | 416 | $5,200†‡ | $404,860 | 92.3% | 2026-09-15 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 21 | $104,950 | $404,860 | — | 2020-10-01 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

## Price by size

### Works on Paper

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 5 | $1,100–$2,400 | $1,300 | $2,400 |

### Photography

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 266 | $2,555–$22,842†‡ | $7,362†‡ | $277,200 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 27 | $2,150–$110,007†‡ | $21,250†‡ | $404,860 |

† 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 | 2008 | $404,860 |
| Photography | 2008 | $310,063 |
| Prints & Editions | 2005 | $39,881 |
| Prints & Editions | 2019 | $32,500 |
| Works on Paper | 2003 | $2,400 |
| Works on Paper | 2003 | $2,400 |

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 Ansel Adams worth?

Across 424 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Ansel Adams work is $4,481. The median Ansel Adams photograph sells for $5,200 across 384 lots. The median Ansel Adams print sells for $325 across 9 lots. The median Ansel Adams work on paper sells for $1,300 across 5 lots. Small (under 50 cm) Ansel Adams photographs typically sell for $2,555–$22,842 (the middle half of 266 sold lots). Medium (50–120 cm) Ansel Adams photographs typically sell for $2,150–$110,007 (the middle half of 27 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 Ansel Adams photograph?

Based on 384 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Ansel Adams photograph is $5,200. 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 Ansel Adams's most expensive photograph?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Ansel Adams photograph is $404,860.

### What is the average price of a small Ansel Adams photograph?

Based on 266 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Ansel Adams photograph (small (under 50 cm)) is $7,362, 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 the average price of a medium Ansel Adams photograph?

Based on 27 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Ansel Adams photograph (medium (50–120 cm)) is $21,250, 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 Ansel Adams's auction record?

Ansel Adams's auction record is $404,860, set in 2008.

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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, “Ansel Adams auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/ansel-adams (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.