Arman (1928–2005)
What is Arman’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 2,428 auction results for Arman at 94 houses since 1989. Over the last 24 months the median price was $3,840 including buyer’s premium (middle half $1,391–$10,832, n=179). The auction record is $642,780 for Gambit, le grand jeu d'échec (2022, Artcurial). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gambit, le grand jeu d'échec, 2003 | Résine noire | $642,780 | Artcurial | May 2022 |
| 2 | ACCORD MAJEUR, 1962 | Coupe de violoncelles sur panneau en bois | $549,201 | Artcurial | Jan 2008 |
| 3 | Massacre des Innocents I | Accumulation of dolls in wooden and metal box | $481,188 | Sotheby's | Jul 2008 |
| 4 | Violoncelle brûlé, 1969 | Burnt cello in Plexiglas | $280,579 | Christie's | Feb 2007 |
| 5 | Mulligan's Chorus, 1983 | Accumulation of saxophones | $275,076 | Christie's | Jun 2007 |
| 6 | Colère.Violon éclaté sur panneau bois, 1962 | Colère.Violon éclaté sur panneau bois | $274,600 | Artcurial | Jan 2008 |
| 7 | CACHET OEIL DE TIGRE, 1959, 1959 | Empreintes de tampons | $262,375 | Artcurial | Apr 2007 |
| 8 | ALLURE D'OBJET, 1960 | Traces d'objets, peinture sur papier marouflé sur toile | $256,294 | Artcurial | Jan 2008 |
| 9 | CA TOURNE, 1996 | Bronze | $247,090 | Cornette de Saint Cyr (Bonhams) | Oct 2015 |
| 10 | POUBELLE DES HALLES, 1961 | Déchets des Halles dans boîte | $237,987 | Artcurial | Jan 2008 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 128 | $20,664 |
| Other | 522 | $8,750 |
| Sculpture | 669 | $8,125 |
| Works on paper | 67 | $4,935 |
| Prints | 187 | $503 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 198 | $29,748 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 702 | $7,138 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 421 | $2,560 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 2,428 results from 94 houses · How we compute these figures
Arman is an American artist with 3,614 auction lots recorded since 1989, median price $5,000. 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 Arman sold in 2026 for $28,654, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
9 Arman works are coming to auction (as of 2026-11-02). Follow Arman free on OpeningBid for sale alerts.
See the full Arman record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Arman on OpeningBid →What is a Arman work worth?
Across 2,403 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Arman work is $5,000.
The median Arman sculpture sells for $6,975 across 866 lots.
The median Arman print sells for $541 across 448 lots.
The median Arman painting sells for $21,124 across 128 lots.
Medium (50–120 cm) Arman sculptures typically sell for $5,000–$18,011 (the middle half of 395 sold lots).
Medium (50–120 cm) Arman prints typically sell for $248–$889 (the middle half of 267 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 | 599 | $541†‡ | $262,375 | 74.8% | 2026-08-14 |
| Paintings | 151 | $21,124†‡ | $256,294 | 84.8% | 2026-07-29 |
| Works on Paper | 123 | $3,242†‡ | $52,138 | 74.8% | 2026-04-17 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 1,135 | $6,975†‡ | $642,780 | 76.3% | 2026-09-12 |
| Photography | 19 | $2,193†‡ | $15,136 | 73.7% | 2026-04-23 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 116 | $98,382†‡ | $642,780 | — | 2026-03-10 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Arman's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (599 lots) median $541 with 74.8% sell-through. Paintings (151 lots) median $21,124, record $256,294. A typical Arman painting sells for around 39× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 116 lots) the median is $98,382.
Price by size
Prints & Editions
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 120 | $272–$1,950†‡ | $573†‡ | $13,949 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 267 | $248–$889†‡ | $442†‡ | $33,641 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 19 | $1,779–$12,054†‡ | $4,425†‡ | $24,642 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Paintings
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 13 | $3,681–$21,250†‡ | $6,600†‡ | $68,337 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 60 | $6,434–$23,970†‡ | $10,812†‡ | $143,457 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 46 | $21,400–$59,062†‡ | $39,080†‡ | $198,524 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ 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) | 28 | $883–$2,631†‡ | $1,297†‡ | $15,992 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 44 | $2,162–$6,317†‡ | $4,028†‡ | $52,138 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 12 | $11,103–$25,700‡ | $15,251‡ | $44,589 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Sculpture & Installation
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 248 | $1,817–$6,358†‡ | $3,043†‡ | $129,388 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 395 | $5,000–$18,011†‡ | $8,445†‡ | $145,628 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 71 | $18,477–$54,822†‡ | $29,585†‡ | $247,090 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Photography
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 9 | $1,625–$4,444†‡ | $2,301†‡ | $15,136 |
† 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Sculpture & Installation | 2022 | $642,780 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2008 | $274,600 |
| Prints & Editions | 2007 | $262,375 |
| Paintings | 2008 | $256,294 |
| Paintings | 2006 | $198,524 |
| Works on Paper | 2018 | $52,138 |
| Works on Paper | 2018 | $44,589 |
| Prints & Editions | 2006 | $40,590 |
The highest recorded result in each medium. See the full sale history on OpeningBid.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Arman worth?
Across 2,403 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Arman work is $5,000. The median Arman sculpture sells for $6,975 across 866 lots. The median Arman print sells for $541 across 448 lots. The median Arman painting sells for $21,124 across 128 lots. Medium (50–120 cm) Arman sculptures typically sell for $5,000–$18,011 (the middle half of 395 sold lots). Medium (50–120 cm) Arman prints typically sell for $248–$889 (the middle half of 267 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 Arman sculpture?
Based on 866 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Arman sculpture is $6,975. 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 Arman's most expensive sculpture?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Arman sculpture is $642,780.
What is the average price of a Arman print?
Based on 448 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Arman print is $541. 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 Arman's most expensive print?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Arman print is $262,375.
What is the average price of a Arman painting?
Based on 128 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Arman painting is $21,124. 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 Arman's most expensive painting?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Arman painting is $256,294.
What is the average price of a medium Arman sculpture?
Based on 395 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Arman sculpture (medium (50–120 cm)) is $8,445, 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 Arman print?
Based on 267 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Arman print (medium (50–120 cm)) is $442, 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 Arman's auction record?
Arman's auction record is $642,780, set in 2022.
See the full Arman record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Arman on OpeningBid →