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

# Arthur Rothstein (1915–1985)

## What is Arthur Rothstein’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 106 auction results for Arthur Rothstein at 18 houses since 1992. Over the last 24 months the median price was $1,452 including buyer’s premium (middle half $1,000–$2,032, n=13). The auction record is $23,500 for Farmer and sons walking in the face of a dust storm, Cimarron County, Oklahoma (2001, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

**Top auction records: paintings, drawings & sculpture**

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Farmer and sons walking in the face of a dust storm, Cimarron County, Oklahoma, 1915 | Gelatin silver print. 1936 | $23,500 | Christie's | Apr 2001 |
| 2 | Dust Storm, Cimarron County, Oklahoma, 1939, 1915 | Cartes-de-visite | $21,250 | Christie's | Dec 2011 |
| 3 | Farmer and sons walking in the face of a dust storm, Cimarron County, Oklahoma | Cartes-de-visite | $15,000 | Phillips | Apr 2018 |
| 4 | Rothstein, 1915 | Gelatin silver prints | $10,625 | Christie's | Apr 2012 |
| 5 | Father and Sons Walking in Face of Dust Storm, Cimarron County, Okla., 1936, 1915 | Cartes-de-visite | $9,560 | Christie's | Oct 2004 |
| 6 | Portfolio entitled "Arthur Rothstein," with 8 (of 8) of his best-known F.S.A. photographs, 1935-1939 | Photographs | $8,400 | Swann Auction Galleries | Oct 2009 |
| 7 | Wife and Children of Sharecropper, Washington County, Arkansas, 1935 | Silver print | $7,800 | Swann Auction Galleries | Oct 2010 |

**Top auction records: prints & editions**

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Group of 10 F.S.A. photographs, 1935-1939 | Photographs | $12,000 | Swann Auction Galleries | Oct 2009 |
| 2 | Group of 10 F.S.A. photographs, 1935-1939 | Silver prints | $10,200 | Swann Auction Galleries | Oct 2010 |
| 3 | Dust Storm, Cimarron County, Oklahoma, 1936 | Pencil | $7,500 | Swann Auction Galleries | Apr 2017 |

**Median price by medium (last 24 months, n ≥ 5)**

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Photographs | 82 | $2,230 |
| Other | 21 | $2,000 |

**Median price by size (last 24 months, n ≥ 5)**

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Small (under 50 cm) | 96 | $2,205 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 106 results from 18 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Arthur Rothstein is an American artist with 247 auction lots recorded since 1992, median price $2,032. Some sold prices are not yet verified as premium-inclusive or hammer, and are marked on this page.

A work by Arthur Rothstein sold in 2025 for $2,032, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Arthur Rothstein work worth?

Across 105 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Arthur Rothstein work is $2,032.

The median Arthur Rothstein photograph sells for $2,056 across 100 lots.

The median Arthur Rothstein work on paper sells for $2,812 across 2 lots.

Small (under 50 cm) Arthur Rothstein photographs typically sell for $1,375–$4,140 (the middle half of 93 sold 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Works on Paper | 2 | $2,812 | $3,625 | — | 2024-01-25 |
| Photography | 152 | $2,056‡ | $23,500 | 65.8% | 2025-12-16 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 6 | $13,500 | $23,500 | — | 2018-04-09 |

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

## Price by size

### Photography

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 93 | $1,375–$4,140‡ | $2,200‡ | $23,500 |

‡ 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 | 2001 | $23,500 |
| Photography | 2011 | $21,250 |
| Works on Paper | 2010 | $3,625 |
| Works on Paper | 2024 | $2,000 |

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 Arthur Rothstein worth?

Across 105 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Arthur Rothstein work is $2,032. The median Arthur Rothstein photograph sells for $2,056 across 100 lots. The median Arthur Rothstein work on paper sells for $2,812 across 2 lots. Small (under 50 cm) Arthur Rothstein photographs typically sell for $1,375–$4,140 (the middle half of 93 sold lots). Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is the average price of a Arthur Rothstein photograph?

Based on 100 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Arthur Rothstein photograph is $2,056. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Arthur Rothstein's most expensive photograph?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Arthur Rothstein photograph is $23,500.

### What is the average price of a small Arthur Rothstein photograph?

Based on 93 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Arthur Rothstein photograph (small (under 50 cm)) is $2,200, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Arthur Rothstein's auction record?

Arthur Rothstein's auction record is $23,500, set in 2001.

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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, “Arthur Rothstein auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/arthur-rothstein (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.