Ben Nicholson (1894–1982)
What is Ben Nicholson’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 545 auction results for Ben Nicholson at 47 houses since 1994. Over the last 24 months the median price was $8,365 including buyer’s premium (middle half $3,185–$17,157, n=47). The auction record is $3,561,367 for 1945 (still life with mugs) (2014, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1945 (still life with mugs), 1894 | Oil paint | $3,561,367 | Christie's | Jun 2014 |
| 2 | Sept. 53 (Balearic) | (on the canvas overlap) | $3,259,727 | Sotheby's | Nov 2025 |
| 3 | Sept. 53 (Balearic), 1894 | Oil paint | $1,650,500 | Christie's | Nov 2011 |
| 4 | October 1949 (composition-Rangitane), 1894 | Oil paint | $1,592,730 | Christie's | Jun 2014 |
| 5 | March 55 (amethyst), 1894 | Wool | $1,422,444 | Christie's | Feb 2016 |
| 6 | Painting 1935, 1935 | Oil paint | $1,359,649 | Sotheby's | Jun 2021 |
| 7 | 1932-37 (still life), 1894 | Oil paint | $1,266,886 | Christie's | Jun 2014 |
| 8 | Le Petit Provençal, 1933 | Pencil | $908,917 | Christie's | Feb 2005 |
| 9 | 31 AUGUST 1951 (ST. IVES HARBOUR, SUMMER), 1951 | Oil and pencil on board laid down on the artist's board | $906,213 | Sotheby's | Jun 2013 |
| 10 | May 55 (Pavane), 1894 | Oil paint | $805,514 | Christie's | Jun 2008 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 61 | $202,681 |
| Works on paper | 57 | $18,842 |
| Other | 101 | $17,157 |
| Prints | 192 | $3,005 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 12 | $622,004 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 82 | $30,101 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 300 | $4,854 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 545 results from 47 houses · How we compute these figures
Ben Nicholson is a British (modern) artist with 706 auction lots recorded since 1994, median price $4,802. 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 Nicholson sold in 2026 for $5,628, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
1 Ben Nicholson work is coming to auction (as of 2026-11-02). Follow Ben Nicholson free on OpeningBid for sale alerts.
See the full Ben Nicholson record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Ben Nicholson on OpeningBid →What is a Ben Nicholson work worth?
Across 543 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Ben Nicholson work is $4,802.
The median Ben Nicholson print sells for $2,422 across 292 lots.
The median Ben Nicholson work on paper sells for $19,558 across 148 lots.
The median Ben Nicholson painting sells for $171,754 across 54 lots.
Small (under 50 cm) Ben Nicholson prints typically sell for $1,617–$3,848 (the middle half of 248 sold lots).
Small (under 50 cm) Ben Nicholson work on papers typically sell for $10,985–$45,206 (the middle half of 101 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 | 363 | $2,422†‡ | $56,768 | 80.4% | 2026-09-12 |
| Paintings | 64 | $171,754†‡ | $3.6M | 84.4% | 2026-10-15 |
| Works on Paper | 179 | $19,558†‡ | $1.4M | 82.7% | 2026-10-29 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 13 | $72,753†‡ | $792,636 | 84.6% | 2025-05-28 |
| Photography | 1 | $3,468 | $3,468 | — | 2024-04-25 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 67 | $273,260†‡ | $3.6M | — | 2026-03-19 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Ben Nicholson's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (363 lots) median $2,422 with 80.4% sell-through. Paintings (64 lots) median $171,754, record $3,561,367. A typical Ben Nicholson painting sells for around 71× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 67 lots) the median is $273,260.
Price by size
Prints & Editions
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 248 | $1,617–$3,848†‡ | $2,408†‡ | $56,768 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 23 | $2,789–$6,876†‡ | $3,933†‡ | $29,723 |
† 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) | 22 | $35,414–$197,986†‡ | $88,535†‡ | $636,349 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 25 | $98,879–$618,775‡ | $181,808‡ | $3.6M |
| large (over 120 cm) | 5 | $473,489–$1.6M | $770,519 | $3.3M |
† 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) | 101 | $10,985–$45,206†‡ | $18,554†‡ | $906,213 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 37 | $11,500–$72,213†‡ | $17,708†‡ | $722,500 |
† 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) | 5 | $4,224–$15,000† | $13,860† | $649,043 |
† 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 | $3.6M |
| Paintings | 2025 | $3.3M |
| Works on Paper | 2016 | $1.4M |
| Works on Paper | 2013 | $906,213 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2003 | $792,636 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2007 | $649,043 |
| Prints & Editions | 2011 | $56,768 |
| Prints & Editions | 2022 | $35,280 |
The highest recorded result in each medium. See the full sale history on OpeningBid.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Ben Nicholson worth?
Across 543 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Ben Nicholson work is $4,802. The median Ben Nicholson print sells for $2,422 across 292 lots. The median Ben Nicholson work on paper sells for $19,558 across 148 lots. The median Ben Nicholson painting sells for $171,754 across 54 lots. Small (under 50 cm) Ben Nicholson prints typically sell for $1,617–$3,848 (the middle half of 248 sold lots). Small (under 50 cm) Ben Nicholson work on papers typically sell for $10,985–$45,206 (the middle half of 101 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 Nicholson print?
Based on 292 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Ben Nicholson print is $2,422. 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 Nicholson's most expensive print?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Ben Nicholson print is $56,768.
What is the average price of a Ben Nicholson work on paper?
Based on 148 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Ben Nicholson work on paper is $19,558. 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 Nicholson's most expensive work on paper?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Ben Nicholson work on paper is $1,422,444.
What is the average price of a Ben Nicholson painting?
Based on 54 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Ben Nicholson painting is $171,754. 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 Nicholson's most expensive painting?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Ben Nicholson painting is $3,561,367.
What is the average price of a small Ben Nicholson print?
Based on 248 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Ben Nicholson print (small (under 50 cm)) is $2,408, 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 Nicholson work on paper?
Based on 101 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Ben Nicholson work on paper (small (under 50 cm)) is $18,554, 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 Nicholson's auction record?
Ben Nicholson's auction record is $3,561,367, set in 2014.
See the full Ben Nicholson record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Ben Nicholson on OpeningBid →