Brion Gysin (1916–1986)
What is Brion Gysin’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 43 auction results for Brion Gysin at 17 houses since 2006. Over the last 24 months the median price was $867 including buyer’s premium (middle half $607–$4,057, n=7). The auction record is $32,760 for DREAMACHINE (2020, Sotheby's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | DREAMACHINE, 1985 | Motorized sculpture | $32,760 | Sotheby's | Oct 2020 |
| 2 | Dreamachine, 1985 | Plexiglas, paperboard, lightbulb, tape, motor, electric component and painted wood base | $25,800 | Phillips | Jun 2026 |
| 3 | Word Burst in Numbered World, Unit 1, 1961 | Acrylic on canvas | $19,050 | Sotheby's | Oct 2023 |
| 4 | Composition, 1960 | Huile sur toile | $18,117 | Ader | Jun 2019 |
| 5 | Untitled (gouache and ink on paper), 1961 | Gouache | $11,254 | Christie's | Apr 2011 |
| 6 | Untitled (ink and watercolour on paper) | Ink and watercolour on paper | $8,857 | Sotheby's | May 2011 |
| 7 | Jupiter Sahara, 1958 | Oil on linen | $8,820 | Sotheby's | Oct 2020 |
| 8 | Sans titre (aquarelle, lavis et encre de Chine sur papier), 1941 | Aquarelle, lavis et encre de Chine sur papier | $8,753 | Cornette de Saint Cyr (Bonhams) | Jun 2016 |
| 9 | Untitled (ink and watercolour on paper) | Ink and watercolour on paper | $7,085 | Sotheby's | May 2011 |
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Untitled, 1985 | Lithograph printed in colors, on Arches wove paper | $12,600 | Sotheby's | Oct 2020 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 5 | $8,820 |
| Works on paper | 11 | $5,345 |
| Other | 10 | $2,720 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 14 | $7,061 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 16 | $1,315 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 43 results from 17 houses · How we compute these figures
Brion Gysin is an American artist with 51 auction lots recorded since 2006, median price $3,340. 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 Brion Gysin sold in 2026 for $25,800, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
See the full Brion Gysin record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Brion Gysin on OpeningBid →What is a Brion Gysin work worth?
Across 42 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Brion Gysin work is $3,340.
The median Brion Gysin work on paper sells for $4,091 across 19 lots.
The median Brion Gysin print sells for $700 across 7 lots.
The median Brion Gysin painting sells for $8,820 across 5 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 | 8 | $700† | $12,600 | 87.5% | 2025-11-25 |
| Paintings | 5 | $8,820 | $19,050 | — | 2023-10-03 |
| Works on Paper | 19 | $4,091†‡ | $11,254 | — | 2026-09-08 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 4 | $15,151 | $32,760 | — | 2026-06-16 |
| Photography | 2 | $17 | $20 | — | 2025-02-19 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 3 | $25,800 | $32,760 | — | 2026-06-16 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Brion Gysin's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (8 lots) median $700 with 87.5% sell-through. Paintings (5 lots) median $8,820, record $19,050. A typical Brion Gysin painting sells for around 13× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 3 lots) the median is $25,800.
Price by size
Works on Paper
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 11 | $1,651–$4,031‡ | $2,843‡ | $8,753 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 7 | $5,384–$7,971 | $7,036 | $11,254 |
‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Size is the work's longest edge. Cells appear only with at least 5 sold lots.
Notable results
| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Sculpture & Installation | 2020 | $32,760 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2026 | $25,800 |
| Paintings | 2023 | $19,050 |
| Paintings | 2019 | $18,117 |
| Prints & Editions | 2020 | $12,600 |
| Works on Paper | 2011 | $11,254 |
| Works on Paper | 2011 | $8,857 |
| Prints & Editions | 2018 | $5,873 |
The highest recorded result in each medium. See the full sale history on OpeningBid.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Brion Gysin worth?
Across 42 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Brion Gysin work is $3,340. The median Brion Gysin work on paper sells for $4,091 across 19 lots. The median Brion Gysin print sells for $700 across 7 lots. The median Brion Gysin painting sells for $8,820 across 5 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 Brion Gysin work on paper?
Based on 19 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Brion Gysin work on paper is $4,091. 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 Brion Gysin's most expensive work on paper?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Brion Gysin work on paper is $11,254.
What is the average price of a small Brion Gysin work on paper?
Based on 11 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Brion Gysin work on paper (small (under 50 cm)) is $2,843, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).
What is Brion Gysin's auction record?
Brion Gysin's auction record is $32,760, set in 2020.
See the full Brion Gysin record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Brion Gysin on OpeningBid →