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

# Betye Saar (1926–2026)

## What is Betye Saar’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 128 auction results for Betye Saar at 14 houses since 2001. Over the last 24 months the median price was $2,304 including buyer’s premium (middle half $1,060–$5,609, n=31). The auction record is $378,000 for Rainbow Mojo (2022, Sotheby's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rainbow Mojo, 1972 | Acrylic on cut leather | $378,000 | Sotheby's | Nov 2022 |
| 2 | Her Story, 2005 | Found object construction—plastic figurines, washboard, chain, lock, key, wood stand and toy objects assemblage | $315,000 | Christie's | May 2023 |
| 3 | Secrets of Spring, 1989 | Mixed media assemblage | $120,650 | Christie's | Nov 2025 |
| 4 | Aunt Sally's Mojo, 1972 | Mixed media assemblage box | $107,950 | Sotheby's | Sep 2023 |
| 5 | Sojourn, 1997 | Mixed media assemblage in a wooden box | $87,500 | Swann Auction Galleries | Apr 2021 |
| 6 | ABCD Education, 2001 | Chalk | $81,900 | Sotheby's | Nov 2020 |
| 7 | Honey, 2001 | Oil, paper collage and found objects on paper | $44,100 | Sotheby's | Nov 2020 |
| 8 | Adori, 1926 | Mixed media | $42,500 | Swann Auction Galleries | Oct 2018 |
| 9 | Untitled (mixed-media collage on handkerchief), 1926 | Mixed-media collage on handkerchief | $25,000 | Los Angeles Modern Auctions | Feb 2020 |
| 10 | Titaster #6, 1972 | Watercolor on paper | $24,320 | Sotheby's | Oct 2026 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Other | 24 | $15,665 |
| Works on paper | 23 | $5,313 |
| Prints | 71 | $1,638 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 26 | $5,557 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 93 | $2,304 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 128 results from 14 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Betye Saar is an American artist with 154 auction lots recorded since 2001, median price $2,938. Some sold prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium; they are marked on this page.

A work by Betye Saar sold in 2026 for $24,320, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

**1 Betye Saar work is coming to auction** (as of 2026-11-02).

- [Betye Saar on OpeningBid](https://www.openingbid.art/artist/betye-saar?ref=kg:betye-saar) — follow free in the OpeningBid app for sale alerts.

## What is a Betye Saar work worth?

Across 128 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Betye Saar work is $2,938.

The median Betye Saar print sells for $1,750 across 76 lots.

The median Betye Saar work on paper sells for $5,376 across 21 lots.

The median Betye Saar sculpture sells for $5,080 across 3 lots.

Small (under 50 cm) Betye Saar prints typically sell for $1,073–$2,469 (the middle half of 58 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prints & Editions | 82 | $1,750† | $23,750 | 92.7% | 2026-10-01 |
| Paintings | 2 | $5,542 | $6,144 | — | 2024-04-17 |
| Works on Paper | 21 | $5,376 | $81,900 | — | 2026-10-08 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 3 | $5,080 | $6,075 | — | 2024-11-19 |
| Photography | 1 | $1,000 | $1,000 | — | 2019-03-28 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 7 | $107,950 | $378,000 | — | 2025-11-20 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

Betye Saar's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (82 lots) median $1,750 with 92.7% sell-through. Paintings (2 lots) median $5,542, record $6,144. A typical Betye Saar painting sells for around 3.2× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 7 lots) the median is $107,950.

## Price by size

### Prints & Editions

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 58 | $1,073–$2,469† | $1,632† | $10,625 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 16 | $1,694–$5,894† | $2,875† | $23,750 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

### Works on Paper

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 14 | $3,797–$8,535 | $6,132 | $81,900 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 7 | $4,288–$22,160 | $5,376 | $44,100 |

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

## Notable results

| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Works on Paper | 2020 | $81,900 |
| Works on Paper | 2020 | $44,100 |
| Prints & Editions | 2022 | $23,750 |
| Prints & Editions | 2022 | $12,500 |
| Paintings | 2024 | $6,144 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2019 | $6,075 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2024 | $5,080 |
| Paintings | 2020 | $4,940 |

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 Betye Saar worth?

Across 128 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Betye Saar work is $2,938. The median Betye Saar print sells for $1,750 across 76 lots. The median Betye Saar work on paper sells for $5,376 across 21 lots. The median Betye Saar sculpture sells for $5,080 across 3 lots. Small (under 50 cm) Betye Saar prints typically sell for $1,073–$2,469 (the middle half of 58 sold lots). Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is the average price of a Betye Saar print?

Based on 76 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Betye Saar print is $1,750. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is Betye Saar's most expensive print?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Betye Saar print is $23,750.

### What is the average price of a Betye Saar work on paper?

Based on 21 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Betye Saar work on paper is $5,376.

### What is Betye Saar's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Betye Saar work on paper is $81,900.

### What is the average price of a small Betye Saar print?

Based on 58 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Betye Saar print (small (under 50 cm)) is $1,632, 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 Betye Saar print?

Based on 16 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Betye Saar print (medium (50–120 cm)) is $2,875, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is Betye Saar's auction record?

Betye Saar's auction record is $378,000, set in 2022.

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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, “Betye Saar auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/betye-saar (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.