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

# Barnett Newman (1905–1970)

## What is Barnett Newman’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 94 auction results for Barnett Newman at 14 houses since 1999. Over the last 24 months the median price was $49,530 including buyer’s premium (middle half $34,160–$66,300, n=10). The auction record is $84,165,000 for Black Fire I (2014, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Black Fire I, 1961 | Oil paint | $84,165,000 | Christie's | May 2014 |
| 2 | Onement V, 1952 | Oil paint | $22,482,500 | Christie's | May 2012 |
| 3 | Untitled 4, 1950 | Oil paint | $10,490,000 | Christie's | Nov 2019 |
| 4 | Untitled (ink on paper), 1969 | Ink | $5,193,000 | Christie's | May 2008 |
| 5 | Untitled (oil on canvas), 1945 | Oil paint | $4,092,500 | Christie's | Nov 2017 |
| 6 | White Fire I, 1954 | Oil paint | $3,859,500 | Christie's | Nov 2002 |
| 7 | Untitled (oil on canvas), 1945 | Oil paint | $3,218,500 | Christie's | May 2012 |
| 8 | Untitled (ink on paper), 1946 | Ink | $2,994,500 | Christie's | Nov 2008 |
| 9 | Untitled (ink on paper), 1946 | Ink | $2,952,000 | Christie's | May 2007 |

**Top auction records: prints & editions**

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 18 Cantos, 1963-1964 | Lithographs in colors on various wove papers | $2,107,000 | Christie's | Apr 2023 |

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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 10 | $3,539,000 |
| Works on paper | 11 | $1,206,500 |
| Prints | 58 | $48,341 |
| Other | 6 | $6,449 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 27 | $114,987 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 31 | $60,480 |
| Large (over 120 cm) | 22 | $27,414 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 94 results from 14 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Barnett Newman is an American artist with 112 auction lots recorded since 1999, median price $48,070. 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 Barnett Newman sold in 2026 for $70,400, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

**1 Barnett Newman work is coming to auction** (as of 2026-11-02).

- [Barnett Newman on OpeningBid](https://www.openingbid.art/artist/barnett-newman?ref=kg:barnett-newman) — follow free in the OpeningBid app for sale alerts.

## What is a Barnett Newman work worth?

Across 94 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Barnett Newman work is $48,070.

The median Barnett Newman print sells for $40,320 across 64 lots.

The median Barnett Newman painting sells for $1,682,500 across 12 lots.

The median Barnett Newman work on paper sells for $1,206,500 across 11 lots.

Medium (50–120 cm) Barnett Newman prints typically sell for $48,070–$141,714 (the middle half of 23 sold lots).

Small (under 50 cm) Barnett Newman prints typically sell for $26,599–$69,300 (the middle half of 21 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 | $40,320†‡ | $2.1M | 84.2% | 2026-10-09 |
| Paintings | 14 | $1.7M‡ | $84.2M | 85.7% | 2024-09-27 |
| Works on Paper | 14 | $1.2M† | $5.2M | 78.6% | 2025-11-19 |
| Photography | 1 | $272 | $272 | — | 2021-05-17 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 28 | $1.1M | $84.2M | — | 2025-11-19 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

Barnett Newman's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (76 lots) median $40,320 with 84.2% sell-through. Paintings (14 lots) median $1,682,500, record $84,165,000. A typical Barnett Newman painting sells for around 42× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 28 lots) the median is $1,115,250.

## Price by size

### Prints & Editions

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 21 | $26,599–$69,300‡ | $50,439‡ | $125,000 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 23 | $48,070–$141,714†‡ | $63,000†‡ | $2.1M |
| large (over 120 cm) | 20 | $7,119–$29,773† | $14,690† | $48,422 |

† 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) | 6 | $5,490–$21,690‡ | $11,160‡ | $146,500 |

‡ 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) | 6 | $408,625–$1.8M† | $892,500† | $2.1M |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

Size is the work's longest edge. Cells appear only with at least 5 sold lots.

## Notable results

| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 2014 | $84.2M |
| Paintings | 2012 | $22.5M |
| Works on Paper | 2008 | $5.2M |
| Works on Paper | 2008 | $3M |
| Prints & Editions | 2023 | $2.1M |
| Prints & Editions | 2006 | $341,852 |
| Photography | 2021 | $272 |

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 Barnett Newman worth?

Across 94 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Barnett Newman work is $48,070. The median Barnett Newman print sells for $40,320 across 64 lots. The median Barnett Newman painting sells for $1,682,500 across 12 lots. The median Barnett Newman work on paper sells for $1,206,500 across 11 lots. Medium (50–120 cm) Barnett Newman prints typically sell for $48,070–$141,714 (the middle half of 23 sold lots). Small (under 50 cm) Barnett Newman prints typically sell for $26,599–$69,300 (the middle half of 21 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 Barnett Newman print?

Based on 64 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Barnett Newman print is $40,320. 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 Barnett Newman's most expensive print?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Barnett Newman print is $2,107,000.

### What is the average price of a Barnett Newman painting?

Based on 12 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Barnett Newman painting is $1,682,500. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Barnett Newman's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Barnett Newman painting is $84,165,000.

### What is the average price of a Barnett Newman work on paper?

Based on 11 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Barnett Newman work on paper is $1,206,500. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is Barnett Newman's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Barnett Newman work on paper is $5,193,000.

### What is the average price of a medium Barnett Newman print?

Based on 23 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Barnett Newman print (medium (50–120 cm)) is $63,000, 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 small Barnett Newman print?

Based on 21 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Barnett Newman print (small (under 50 cm)) is $50,439, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Barnett Newman's auction record?

Barnett Newman's auction record is $84,165,000, set in 2014.

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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, “Barnett Newman auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/barnett-newman (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.