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

# Ben Benn (1884–1983)

## What is Ben Benn’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 50 auction results for Ben Benn at 13 houses since 1992. Over the last 24 months the median price was $858 including buyer’s premium (middle half $699–$1,056, n=5). The auction record is $6,463 for The Street, New York City (2007, Skinner (Bonhams Skinner)). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Street, New York City, 1948 | Oil on canvas | $6,463 | Skinner (Bonhams Skinner) | Sep 2007 |
| 2 | Fall Landscape with Farm and Church Spire, 1932 | Oil on canvas | $3,400 | Swann Auction Galleries | Sep 2007 |
| 3 | Park Scene, 1967 | Oil on canvas board | $3,360 | Swann Auction Galleries | Nov 2012 |
| 4 | The Swimming Hole, 1953 | Oil on canvas | $3,200 | Swann Auction Galleries | Jun 2007 |
| 5 | Long Island Bay | Oil on panel | $2,794 | Swann Auction Galleries | Sep 2026 |
| 6 | Self Portrait, 1927 | Oil on canvas | $2,250 | Swann Auction Galleries | Jun 2015 |
| 7 | Woman Indoors, 1918 | Watercolor and graphite on paper | $2,200 | Skinner (Bonhams Skinner) | Nov 2007 |
| 8 | Summer Flowers, 1960 | Oil on canvas | $2,000 | Swann Auction Galleries | Jun 2006 |
| 9 | Peaches on Blue Platter, 1884 | Oil on canvas | $1,837 | Neal Auction Company | Sep 2013 |
| 10 | Brooklyn Bridge, 1927 | Oil Painting | $1,800 | Skinner (Bonhams Skinner) | Mar 1997 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 38 | $1,120 |
| Works on paper | 5 | $480 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 23 | $1,200 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 17 | $950 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 50 results from 13 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Ben Benn is an American artist with 75 auction lots recorded since 1992, median price $1,057. 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 Ben Benn sold in 2026 for $2,794, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Ben Benn work worth?

Across 50 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Ben Benn work is $1,057.

The median Ben Benn painting sells for $1,080 across 43 lots.

The median Ben Benn work on paper sells for $378 across 5 lots.

The median Ben Benn print sells for $480 across 1 lots.

Medium (50–120 cm) Ben Benn paintings typically sell for $524–$1,837 (the middle half of 25 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 | 2 | $480 | $480 | 50% | 2010-06-22 |
| Paintings | 48 | $1,080†‡ | $6,463 | 89.6% | 2026-09-17 |
| Works on Paper | 14 | $378‡ | $1,200 | 35.7% | 2023-07-26 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 3 | $3,400 | $6,463 | — | 2012-11-15 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

Ben Benn's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (2 lots) median $480 with 50% sell-through. Paintings (48 lots) median $1,080, record $6,463. A typical Ben Benn painting sells for around 2.2× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 3 lots) the median is $3,400.

## Price by size

### Paintings

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 15 | $612–$1,302†‡ | $1,058†‡ | $3,360 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 25 | $524–$1,837†‡ | $1,150†‡ | $6,463 |

† 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) | 5 | $149–$950‡ | $378‡ | $1,200 |

‡ 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 2007 | $6,463 |
| Paintings | 2007 | $3,400 |
| Works on Paper | 2007 | $1,200 |
| Works on Paper | 2002 | $950 |
| Prints & Editions | 2010 | $480 |

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 Ben Benn worth?

Across 50 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Ben Benn work is $1,057. The median Ben Benn painting sells for $1,080 across 43 lots. The median Ben Benn work on paper sells for $378 across 5 lots. The median Ben Benn print sells for $480 across 1 lots. Medium (50–120 cm) Ben Benn paintings typically sell for $524–$1,837 (the middle half of 25 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 Ben Benn painting?

Based on 43 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Ben Benn painting is $1,080. 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 Ben Benn's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Ben Benn painting is $6,463.

### What is the average price of a Ben Benn work on paper?

Based on 5 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Ben Benn work on paper is $378. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Ben Benn's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Ben Benn work on paper is $1,200.

### What is the average price of a medium Ben Benn painting?

Based on 25 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Ben Benn painting (medium (50–120 cm)) is $1,150, 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 Ben Benn painting?

Based on 15 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Ben Benn painting (small (under 50 cm)) is $1,058, 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 Ben Benn's auction record?

Ben Benn's auction record is $6,463, set in 2007.

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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, “Ben Benn auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/ben-benn (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.
