Billy Al Bengston (1934–2022)
What is Billy Al Bengston’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 236 auction results for Billy Al Bengston at 20 houses since 1998. Over the last 24 months the median price was $2,276 including buyer’s premium (middle half $928–$7,315, n=62). The auction record is $548,075 for Lester (2020, Bonhams). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lester, 1934 | Painting | $548,075 | Bonhams | Feb 2020 |
| 2 | The Mild One, 1963 | Oil paint | $352,800 | Christie's | May 2022 |
| 3 | Alfalfa, 1964 | Wool | $201,600 | Christie's | May 2023 |
| 4 | Skinny's 21, 1934 | Painting | $149,000 | Bonhams | Oct 2013 |
| 5 | Big Duke, 1960 | Painting | $113,400 | Christie's | Nov 2023 |
| 6 | Rudi's Dracula, 1934 | Acrylic | $106,562 | Bonhams | Apr 2021 |
| 7 | G.P. Carburetor, 1961 | Oil paint | $106,250 | Christie's | Sep 2018 |
| 8 | Gas Tank Tachometer, 1961 | Oil paint | $94,500 | Christie's | Mar 2023 |
| 9 | Augies Riviera Dracula, 1972 | Acrylic paint | $87,500 | Los Angeles Modern Auctions | May 2015 |
| 10 | Birmingham Small Arms II (B.S.A.), 1961 | Oil paint | $81,900 | Christie's | Sep 2023 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 62 | $20,785 |
| Other | 33 | $8,820 |
| Sculpture | 15 | $5,938 |
| Works on paper | 79 | $2,540 |
| Prints | 33 | $625 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 41 | $13,750 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 92 | $5,058 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 81 | $2,500 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 236 results from 20 houses · How we compute these figures
Billy Al Bengston is an American artist with 280 auction lots recorded since 1998, median price $5,000. 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 Billy Al Bengston sold in 2026 for $8,960, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
See the full Billy Al Bengston record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Billy Al Bengston on OpeningBid →What is a Billy Al Bengston work worth?
Across 232 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Billy Al Bengston work is $5,000.
The median Billy Al Bengston painting sells for $12,112 across 76 lots.
The median Billy Al Bengston work on paper sells for $2,500 across 61 lots.
The median Billy Al Bengston print sells for $544 across 33 lots.
Small (under 50 cm) Billy Al Bengston work on papers typically sell for $1,500–$3,000 (the middle half of 37 sold lots).
Large (over 120 cm) Billy Al Bengston paintings typically sell for $9,861–$43,978 (the middle half of 27 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 | 45 | $544 | $18,750 | 73.3% | 2026-02-25 |
| Paintings | 84 | $12,112 | $548,075 | 90.5% | 2026-09-17 |
| Works on Paper | 68 | $2,500† | $11,875 | 89.7% | 2026-10-16 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 35 | $12,675 | $50,075 | 80% | 2026-01-07 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 12 | $106,406 | $548,075 | — | 2023-11-10 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.
Billy Al Bengston's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (45 lots) median $544 with 73.3% sell-through. Paintings (84 lots) median $12,112, record $548,075. A typical Billy Al Bengston painting sells for around 22× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 12 lots) the median is $106,406.
Price by size
Prints & Editions
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 9 | $219–$945 | $504 | $1,750 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 22 | $359–$943 | $630 | $18,750 |
Paintings
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 25 | $3,187–$21,590 | $4,375 | $75,600 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 21 | $5,075–$75,000 | $21,250 | $201,600 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 27 | $9,861–$43,978 | $15,300 | $548,075 |
Works on Paper
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 37 | $1,500–$3,000 | $1,920 | $11,875 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 20 | $1,575–$6,111† | $3,230† | $7,560 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.
Sculpture & Installation
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 23 | $6,645–$21,250 | $12,600 | $46,875 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 5 | $11,875–$27,500 | $13,750 | $50,075 |
Size is the work's longest edge. Cells appear only with at least 5 sold lots.
Notable results
| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 2020 | $548,075 |
| Paintings | 2022 | $352,800 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2020 | $50,075 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2015 | $46,875 |
| Prints & Editions | 2022 | $18,750 |
| Works on Paper | 2017 | $11,875 |
| Works on Paper | 2022 | $10,000 |
| Prints & Editions | 2013 | $9,375 |
The highest recorded result in each medium. See the full sale history on OpeningBid.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Billy Al Bengston worth?
Across 232 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Billy Al Bengston work is $5,000. The median Billy Al Bengston painting sells for $12,112 across 76 lots. The median Billy Al Bengston work on paper sells for $2,500 across 61 lots. The median Billy Al Bengston print sells for $544 across 33 lots. Small (under 50 cm) Billy Al Bengston work on papers typically sell for $1,500–$3,000 (the middle half of 37 sold lots). Large (over 120 cm) Billy Al Bengston paintings typically sell for $9,861–$43,978 (the middle half of 27 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 Billy Al Bengston painting?
Based on 76 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Billy Al Bengston painting is $12,112.
What is Billy Al Bengston's most expensive painting?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Billy Al Bengston painting is $548,075.
What is the average price of a Billy Al Bengston work on paper?
Based on 61 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Billy Al Bengston work on paper is $2,500. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.
What is Billy Al Bengston's most expensive work on paper?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Billy Al Bengston work on paper is $11,875.
What is the average price of a Billy Al Bengston print?
Based on 33 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Billy Al Bengston print is $544.
What is Billy Al Bengston's most expensive print?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Billy Al Bengston print is $18,750.
What is the average price of a small Billy Al Bengston work on paper?
Based on 37 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Billy Al Bengston work on paper (small (under 50 cm)) is $1,920, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
What is the average price of a large Billy Al Bengston painting?
Based on 27 sold lots, the median auction price of a large Billy Al Bengston painting (large (over 120 cm)) is $15,300, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
What is Billy Al Bengston's auction record?
Billy Al Bengston's auction record is $548,075, set in 2020.
See the full Billy Al Bengston record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Billy Al Bengston on OpeningBid →