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

# Charles Bell (1935–1995)

## What is Charles Bell’s work worth? {#value}

As of 3 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 33 auction results for Charles Bell at 12 houses since 2002. Over the last 24 months the median price was $206,400 including buyer’s premium (middle half $32,000–$358,400, n=5). The auction record is $406,400 for Oh Boy (2026, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oh Boy, 1990 | Oil paint | $406,400 | Christie's | Feb 2026 |
| 2 | Viking Strikes, 1987 | Oil paint | $358,400 | Sotheby's | Feb 2026 |
| 3 | Gin, 1977 | Oil paint | $350,000 | Christie's | Nov 2019 |
| 4 | Catcher, 1935 | Oil on canvas | $343,500 | Bonhams | Nov 2016 |
| 5 | Gumball No. 9, 1975 | Oil paint | $343,500 | Christie's | Nov 2004 |
| 6 | Oh Boy, 1990 | Oil paint | $262,400 | Christie's | May 2005 |
| 7 | Finis Coronat Opus, 1995 | Oil paint | $220,300 | Christie's | May 2003 |
| 8 | Marbles XI, 1984 | Oil on canvas | $206,400 | Phillips | May 2026 |
| 9 | Marbles IX | — | $204,000 | Sotheby's | May 2007 |
| 10 | Double Advance, 1977 | Oil paint | $187,500 | Christie's | Mar 2021 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 13 | $206,400 |
| Other | 6 | $116,750 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 16 | $196,950 |

Data as of 3 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 33 results from 12 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Charles Bell is an American artist with 57 auction lots recorded since 2002, median price $57,360. Some sold prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium; they are marked on this page.

A work by Charles Bell sold in 2026 for $206,400, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Charles Bell work worth?

Across 31 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Charles Bell work is $57,360.

The median Charles Bell painting sells for $206,400 across 15 lots.

The median Charles Bell print sells for $325 across 4 lots.

The median Charles Bell sculpture sells for $85,000 across 1 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 | 5 | $325† | $1,800 | 80% | 2026-10-24 |
| Paintings | 16 | $206,400 | $406,400 | 93.8% | 2026-05-21 |
| Works on Paper | 1 | $16,463 | $16,463 | — | 2017-10-05 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 1 | $85,000 | $85,000 | — | 2007-11-14 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 14 | $213,350 | $406,400 | — | 2026-05-21 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

Charles Bell's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (5 lots) median $325 with 80% sell-through. Paintings (16 lots) median $206,400, record $406,400. A typical Charles Bell painting sells for around 635× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 14 lots) the median is $213,350.

## Price by size

### Paintings

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| large (over 120 cm) | 13 | $153,100–$343,500 | $220,300 | $406,400 |

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

## Notable results

| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 2026 | $406,400 |
| Paintings | 2026 | $358,400 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2007 | $85,000 |
| Works on Paper | 2017 | $16,463 |
| Prints & Editions | 2026 | $1,800 |
| Prints & Editions | 2021 | $375 |

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 Charles Bell worth?

Across 31 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Charles Bell work is $57,360. The median Charles Bell painting sells for $206,400 across 15 lots. The median Charles Bell print sells for $325 across 4 lots. The median Charles Bell sculpture sells for $85,000 across 1 lots. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is the average price of a Charles Bell painting?

Based on 15 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Charles Bell painting is $206,400.

### What is Charles Bell's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Charles Bell painting is $406,400.

### What is the average price of a large Charles Bell painting?

Based on 13 sold lots, the median auction price of a large Charles Bell painting (large (over 120 cm)) is $220,300, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

### What is Charles Bell's auction record?

Charles Bell's auction record is $406,400, 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, “Charles Bell auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/charles-bell (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.