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

# Betty Parsons (1900–1982)

## What is Betty Parsons’s work worth? {#value}

As of 3 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 78 auction results for Betty Parsons at 16 houses since 2000. Over the last 24 months the median price was $7,920 including buyer’s premium (middle half $4,627–$13,275, n=24). The auction record is $138,600 for Untitled (acrylic on canvas) (2020, Phillips). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Untitled (acrylic on canvas), 1962 | Acrylic paint | $138,600 | Phillips | Dec 2020 |
| 2 | Untitled (acrylic on canvas), 1972 | Acrylic on canvas | $50,800 | Christie's | Feb 2026 |
| 3 | Three Reds, 1974 | Painting | $48,750 | Rago Arts | Sep 2022 |
| 4 | Three Reds, 1974 | Painted wood and nails | $48,750 | Wright | Sep 2022 |
| 5 | Moveable Fence, 1979 | Painting | $47,500 | Rago Arts | May 2022 |
| 6 | Totem-Materia-R, 1980 | Acrylic paint | $27,720 | Phillips | Sep 2021 |
| 7 | Collage, 1978 | Acrylic paint | $27,500 | Rago Arts | May 2022 |
| 8 | Sun and Sea, 1900 | Painting | $23,825 | Bonhams | Sep 2019 |
| 9 | Barara No. 2, 1979 | Acrylic paint | $20,320 | Rago Arts | May 2025 |
| 10 | Don't Fence Me In, 1981 | Acrylic paint | $20,320 | Sotheby's | Sep 2023 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Other | 36 | $12,285 |
| Paintings | 30 | $10,625 |
| Works on paper | 8 | $4,377 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 5 | $15,240 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 39 | $11,970 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 21 | $6,985 |

Data as of 3 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 78 results from 16 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Betty Parsons is an American artist with 83 auction lots recorded since 2000, median price $10,185.

A work by Betty Parsons sold in 2026 for $15,960, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Betty Parsons work worth?

Across 77 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Betty Parsons work is $10,185.

The median Betty Parsons painting sells for $10,625 across 36 lots.

The median Betty Parsons work on paper sells for $8,125 across 5 lots.

The median Betty Parsons print sells for $1,365 across 2 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 | 2 | $1,365 | $2,015 | — | 2022-06-16 |
| Paintings | 37 | $10,625 | $138,600 | 97.3% | 2026-07-29 |
| Works on Paper | 6 | $8,125 | $16,875 | 83.3% | 2026-02-19 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 1 | $6,875 | $6,875 | — | 2019-04-25 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 4 | $49,775 | $138,600 | — | 2026-02-27 |

Betty Parsons's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (2 lots) median $1,365. Paintings (37 lots) median $10,625, record $138,600. A typical Betty Parsons painting sells for around 7.8× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 4 lots) the median is $49,775.

## Price by size

### Paintings

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 13 | $2,520–$11,250 | $5,625 | $23,825 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 19 | $2,091–$17,430 | $10,625 | $50,800 |

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

## Notable results

| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 2020 | $138,600 |
| Paintings | 2026 | $50,800 |
| Works on Paper | 2020 | $16,875 |
| Works on Paper | 2022 | $16,380 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2019 | $6,875 |
| Prints & Editions | 2009 | $2,015 |
| Prints & Editions | 2022 | $715 |

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 Betty Parsons worth?

Across 77 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Betty Parsons work is $10,185. The median Betty Parsons painting sells for $10,625 across 36 lots. The median Betty Parsons work on paper sells for $8,125 across 5 lots. The median Betty Parsons print sells for $1,365 across 2 lots. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is the average price of a Betty Parsons painting?

Based on 36 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Betty Parsons painting is $10,625.

### What is Betty Parsons's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Betty Parsons painting is $138,600.

### What is the average price of a medium Betty Parsons painting?

Based on 19 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Betty Parsons painting (medium (50–120 cm)) is $10,625, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

### What is the average price of a small Betty Parsons painting?

Based on 13 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Betty Parsons painting (small (under 50 cm)) is $5,625, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

### What is Betty Parsons's auction record?

Betty Parsons's auction record is $138,600, set in 2020.

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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, “Betty Parsons auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/betty-parsons (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.