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

# Bessie Petyarre (b. 1960)

## What is Bessie Petyarre’s work worth? {#value}

As of 3 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 249 auction results for Bessie Petyarre at 1 houses since 2010. Over the last 24 months the median price was $889 including buyer’s premium (middle half $661–$1,212, n=176). The auction record is $3,498 for Bush Plum (2026, Lawsons Auctioneers). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bush Plum | Acrylic on canvas | $3,498 | Lawsons Auctioneers | Jul 2026 |
| 2 | Bush Plum | Acrylic on canvas | $2,681 | Lawsons Auctioneers | Sep 2026 |
| 3 | Bush Plum | Acrylic on canvas | $2,510 | Lawsons Auctioneers | Apr 2026 |
| 4 | Bush Plum | Acrylic on canvas | $2,499 | Lawsons Auctioneers | Jul 2020 |
| 5 | Bush Plum | Acrylic on canvas | $2,470 | Lawsons Auctioneers | Sep 2025 |
| 6 | Bush Plum | Acrylic on canvas | $2,292 | Lawsons Auctioneers | Jul 2024 |
| 7 | Bush Plum | Acrylic on canvas | $2,276 | Lawsons Auctioneers | Jun 2025 |
| 8 | Bush Plum | Acrylic on canvas | $2,214 | Lawsons Auctioneers | Mar 2025 |
| 9 | Bush Plum | Acrylic on canvas | $2,124 | Lawsons Auctioneers | Oct 2025 |
| 10 | Bush Plum, circa 1960 | Acrylic on canvas | $2,108 | Lawsons Auctioneers | Sep 2026 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 233 | $820 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 144 | $1,047 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 89 | $567 |

Data as of 3 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 249 results from 1 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Bessie Petyarre is an Australia (Aboriginal) artist with 441 auction lots recorded since 2013, median price $797. Some sold prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium; they are marked on this page.

A work by Bessie Petyarre sold in 2026 for $2,108, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Bessie Petyarre work worth?

Across 219 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Bessie Petyarre work is $797.

The median Bessie Petyarre painting sells for $814 across 247 lots.

The median Bessie Petyarre photograph sells for $768 across 1 lots.

Large (over 120 cm) Bessie Petyarre paintings typically sell for $801–$1,427 (the middle half of 154 sold lots).

Medium (50–120 cm) Bessie Petyarre paintings typically sell for $415–$668 (the middle half of 93 sold lots).

Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

## Price breakdown by category

| Category | Lots tracked | Median price | Record price | Sell-through | Last sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 486 | $814† | $3,498 | 50.8% | 2026-10-01 |
| Photography | 2 | $768† | $768† | 50% | 2010-03-25 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 13 | $2,276 | $3,498 | — | 2026-09-28 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

## Price by size

### Paintings

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 93 | $415–$668† | $540† | $1,637 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 154 | $801–$1,427† | $1,044† | $3,498 |

† 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 | 2026 | $3,498 |
| Paintings | 2026 | $2,681 |
| Photography | 2010 | $768† |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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 Bessie Petyarre worth?

Across 219 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Bessie Petyarre work is $797. The median Bessie Petyarre painting sells for $814 across 247 lots. The median Bessie Petyarre photograph sells for $768 across 1 lots. Large (over 120 cm) Bessie Petyarre paintings typically sell for $801–$1,427 (the middle half of 154 sold lots). Medium (50–120 cm) Bessie Petyarre paintings typically sell for $415–$668 (the middle half of 93 sold lots). Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is the average price of a Bessie Petyarre painting?

Based on 247 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Bessie Petyarre painting is $814. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is Bessie Petyarre's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Bessie Petyarre painting is $3,498.

### What is the average price of a large Bessie Petyarre painting?

Based on 154 sold lots, the median auction price of a large Bessie Petyarre painting (large (over 120 cm)) is $1,044, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is the average price of a medium Bessie Petyarre painting?

Based on 93 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Bessie Petyarre painting (medium (50–120 cm)) is $540, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is Bessie Petyarre's auction record?

Bessie Petyarre's auction record is $2,681, set in 2026.

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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, “Bessie Petyarre auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/bessie-petyarre (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.