Bernard Perlin (1918–2014)
What is Bernard Perlin’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 27 auction results for Bernard Perlin at 8 houses since 1992. Over the last 24 months the median price was $1,200 including buyer’s premium (middle half $486–$2,286, n=10). The auction record is $22,860 for The Colosseum (2023, Sotheby's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Colosseum, 1954 | Tempera on Masonite | $22,860 | Sotheby's | May 2023 |
| 2 | Colosseum, 1954 | Tempera on Masonite | $19,200 | Sotheby's | Oct 2026 |
| 3 | George Platt Lynes, 1955 | Wove paper | $5,250 | Swann Auction Galleries | Aug 2024 |
| 4 | Shepherd Boy (Aldo Brancacci), 1953 | Wove paper | $5,000 | Swann Auction Galleries | Aug 2020 |
| 5 | Onions and Potatoes | Oil on canvas | $4,224 | Capsule Gallery Auction | May 2024 |
| 6 | Union Square Pickup, 1942 | Silverpoint on card | $3,750 | Swann Auction Galleries | Aug 2022 |
| 7 | Untitled, 1942 | Pencil on Strathmore paper | $3,302 | Swann Auction Galleries | Feb 2026 |
| 8 | WWII Airmen Seated with Woman Counting Money, 1945 | Gouache | $2,800 | Swann Auction Galleries | Jun 2006 |
| 9 | Bernard Perlin. Circa 1950., 1950 | Pencil | $2,540 | Swann Auction Galleries | Apr 2026 |
| 10 | Portrait of a Man, 1950 | Graphite | $1,524 | Los Angeles Modern Auctions | Aug 2025 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Works on paper | 15 | $720 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Small (under 50 cm) | 11 | $720 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 7 | $360 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 27 results from 8 houses · How we compute these figures
Bernard Perlin is an American artist with 34 auction lots recorded since 1992, median price $600. Some sold prices are not yet verified as premium-inclusive or hammer, and are marked on this page.
A work by Bernard Perlin sold in 2026 for $19,200, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
See the full Bernard Perlin record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Bernard Perlin on OpeningBid →What is a Bernard Perlin work worth?
Across 27 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Bernard Perlin work is $600.
The median Bernard Perlin work on paper sells for $1,122 across 12 lots.
The median Bernard Perlin painting sells for $4,224 across 5 lots.
The median Bernard Perlin print sells for $292 across 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prints & Editions | 5 | $292‡ | $360 | — | 2026-05-29 |
| Paintings | 7 | $4,224 | $22,860 | 71.4% | 2026-10-09 |
| Works on Paper | 13 | $1,122 | $5,250 | 92.3% | 2026-02-05 |
| Photography | 1 | $2,540 | $2,540 | — | 2026-04-30 |
‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Bernard Perlin's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (5 lots) median $292. Paintings (7 lots) median $4,224, record $22,860. A typical Bernard Perlin painting sells for around 14× the price of a typical print.
Price by size
Prints & Editions
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 5 | $233–$360‡ | $292‡ | $360 |
‡ 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) | 10 | $437–$3,512 | $660 | $5,250 |
Size is the work's longest edge. Cells appear only with at least 5 sold lots.
Notable results
| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 2023 | $22,860 |
| Paintings | 2026 | $19,200 |
| Works on Paper | 2024 | $5,250 |
| Works on Paper | 2020 | $5,000 |
| Photography | 2026 | $2,540 |
| Prints & Editions | 2011 | $360 |
| Prints & Editions | 2013 | $360 |
The highest recorded result in each medium. See the full sale history on OpeningBid.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Bernard Perlin worth?
Across 27 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Bernard Perlin work is $600. The median Bernard Perlin work on paper sells for $1,122 across 12 lots. The median Bernard Perlin painting sells for $4,224 across 5 lots. The median Bernard Perlin print sells for $292 across 5 lots. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).
What is the average price of a Bernard Perlin work on paper?
Based on 12 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Bernard Perlin work on paper is $1,122.
What is Bernard Perlin's most expensive work on paper?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Bernard Perlin work on paper is $5,250.
What is the average price of a small Bernard Perlin work on paper?
Based on 10 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Bernard Perlin work on paper (small (under 50 cm)) is $660, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
What is Bernard Perlin's auction record?
Bernard Perlin's auction record is $22,860, set in 2023.
See the full Bernard Perlin record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Bernard Perlin on OpeningBid →