> Source: https://www.openingbid.art/artist/bae-lee · updated 2026-11-03

# Bae Lee (b. 1956)

## What is Bae Lee’s work worth? {#value}

As of 3 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 556 auction results for Bae Lee at 8 houses since 2007. Over the last 24 months the median price was $34,287 including buyer’s premium (middle half $9,722–$100,696, n=93). The auction record is $393,192 for Issu du feu-ch55 (2021, K-Auction). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Issu du feu-ch55, 2003 | Charcoal on canvas | $393,192 | K-Auction | Sep 2021 |
| 2 | Issu du Feu-24, 2000 | Charcoal on canvas | $333,358 | K-Auction | Nov 2021 |
| 3 | Issu du Feu-ch64, 2003 | Charcoal on canvas | $321,111 | K-Auction | Mar 2025 |
| 4 | Brushstroke-9F, 2023 | Drawing | $308,020 | Christie's | Mar 2026 |
| 5 | Untitled, 2006 | Acrylic on canvas | $281,436 | Christie's | Nov 2015 |
| 6 | Untitled, 2006 | Acrylic and charcoal on canvas | $281,436 | Christie's | Nov 2015 |
| 7 | Issu du Feu-J16a, 2003 | Charcoal on canvas | $263,139 | K-Auction | Sep 2024 |
| 8 | Issu du Feu-pa14, 2002 | Charcoal on canvas | $254,267 | K-Auction | Dec 2021 |
| 9 | Issu du Feu M12, 2003 | Charcoal on canvas | $243,059 | K-Auction | Dec 2024 |
| 10 | Issu du Feu A22, 2016 | Charcoal on canvas | $228,336 | K-Auction | Apr 2025 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 63 | $75,745 |
| Works on paper | 65 | $62,186 |
| Prints | 22 | $6,147 |
| Other | 7 | $5,126 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 46 | $104,055 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 92 | $27,564 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 22 | $12,695 |

Data as of 3 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 556 results from 8 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Bae Lee is a Korean artist with 573 auction lots recorded since 2007, median price $29,294. 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 Bae Lee sold in 2026 for $143,806, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Bae Lee work worth?

Across 556 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Bae Lee work is $29,294.

The median Bae Lee work on paper sells for $50,403 across 313 lots.

The median Bae Lee painting sells for $37,027 across 121 lots.

The median Bae Lee print sells for $3,606 across 73 lots.

Medium (50–120 cm) Bae Lee work on papers typically sell for $26,058–$79,929 (the middle half of 167 sold lots).

Large (over 120 cm) Bae Lee work on papers typically sell for $55,052–$153,221 (the middle half of 82 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 | 76 | $3,606†‡ | $24,596‡ | 96.1% | 2026-05-15 |
| Paintings | 127 | $37,027†‡ | $281,436 | 95.3% | 2026-04-29 |
| Works on Paper | 317 | $50,403†‡ | $517,238 | — | 2026-05-27 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 3 | $26,830 | $30,089 | — | 2026-03-27 |
| Photography | 6 | $4,809‡ | $5,959‡ | — | 2025-10-28 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 93 | $132,146†‡ | $517,238 | — | 2026-05-27 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

Bae Lee's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (76 lots) median $3,606 with 96.1% sell-through. Paintings (127 lots) median $37,027, record $281,436. A typical Bae Lee painting sells for around 10× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 93 lots) the median is $132,146.

## Price by size

### Prints & Editions

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 17 | $1,811–$2,591†‡ | $2,187†‡ | $3,638† |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 56 | $2,589–$6,275†‡ | $4,594†‡ | $24,596‡ |

† 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 51 | $20,007–$38,879†‡ | $25,128†‡ | $144,773‡ |
| large (over 120 cm) | 68 | $34,229–$68,814†‡ | $50,959†‡ | $281,436 |

† 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) | 62 | $10,105–$15,096†‡ | $12,330†‡ | $24,247 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 167 | $26,058–$79,929†‡ | $52,255†‡ | $227,212† |
| large (over 120 cm) | 82 | $55,052–$153,221†‡ | $107,459†‡ | $517,238 |

† 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 6 | $4,086–$4,907‡ | $4,809‡ | $5,959‡ |

‡ 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Works on Paper | 2009 | $517,238 |
| Works on Paper | 2021 | $393,192 |
| Paintings | 2015 | $281,436 |
| Paintings | 2015 | $281,436 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2025 | $30,089 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2026 | $26,830 |
| Prints & Editions | 2025 | $24,596‡ |
| Prints & Editions | 2025 | $23,736‡ |

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

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 Bae Lee worth?

Across 556 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Bae Lee work is $29,294. The median Bae Lee work on paper sells for $50,403 across 313 lots. The median Bae Lee painting sells for $37,027 across 121 lots. The median Bae Lee print sells for $3,606 across 73 lots. Medium (50–120 cm) Bae Lee work on papers typically sell for $26,058–$79,929 (the middle half of 167 sold lots). Large (over 120 cm) Bae Lee work on papers typically sell for $55,052–$153,221 (the middle half of 82 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 Bae Lee work on paper?

Based on 313 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Bae Lee work on paper is $50,403. 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 Bae Lee's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Bae Lee work on paper is $517,238.

### What is the average price of a Bae Lee painting?

Based on 121 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Bae Lee painting is $37,027. 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 Bae Lee's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Bae Lee painting is $281,436.

### What is the average price of a Bae Lee print?

Based on 73 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Bae Lee print is $3,606. 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 Bae Lee's most expensive print?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Bae Lee print is $24,596. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.

### What is the average price of a medium Bae Lee work on paper?

Based on 167 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Bae Lee work on paper (medium (50–120 cm)) is $52,255, 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 large Bae Lee work on paper?

Based on 82 sold lots, the median auction price of a large Bae Lee work on paper (large (over 120 cm)) is $107,459, 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 Bae Lee's auction record?

Bae Lee's auction record is $517,238, set in 2009.

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Data last updated 2026-11-03. OpeningBid tracks 15,596,131 auction lots from 579 auction houses, refreshed nightly.

Cite this page as: OpeningBid, “Bae Lee auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/bae-lee (updated 2026-11-03).

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.