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

# Chris Burden (1946–2015)

## What is Chris Burden’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 67 auction results for Chris Burden at 8 houses since 2000. Over the last 24 months the median price was $2,108 including buyer’s premium (middle half $972–$11,223, n=8). The auction record is $158,610 for Chris Burden (b. 1946) (2006, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chris Burden (b. 1946), 1974 | Gelatin silver print mounted on board | $158,610 | Christie's | Nov 2006 |
| 2 | Viagra Tower, 1946 | Stainless steel reproduction and erector parts on wood base | $152,900 | Bonhams | Sep 2026 |
| 3 | 747, Bed Piece, and Prelude to 220 or 110 (4), 1971 | Cartes-de-visite | $93,750 | Los Angeles Modern Auctions | Mar 2017 |
| 4 | Hospital Ship, 1992 | Metal bicycle frame, stainless steel wire, metal and miniatures | $62,500 | Phillips | Nov 2016 |
| 5 | Full Financial Disclosure, 1977 | Wool | $40,320 | Sotheby's | Dec 2020 |
| 6 | Attila The Hun, 1975 | Collage | $40,000 | Los Angeles Modern Auctions | Jun 2022 |

**Top auction records: prints & editions**

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Deluxe Photo Book 71-73, 1973 | Gelatin silver prints | $129,880 | Sotheby's | Dec 2020 |
| 2 | 747; Bed Piece; Prelude to 220, or 110 (in two parts), 1946 | Cartes-de-visite | $81,250 | Los Angeles Modern Auctions | Feb 2022 |
| 3 | 747, gelatin silver print, 1973 | Cartes-de-visite | $47,880 | Los Angeles Modern Auctions | Feb 2024 |
| 4 | Deluxe Photo Book: 1971-73, 1974 | Loose-leaf binder with hand-painted cover containing 53 photographs and typewritten text documenting 23 performances | $42,500 | Christie's | May 2018 |

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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Photographs | 16 | $31,097 |
| Other | 17 | $8,400 |
| Works on paper | 13 | $7,962 |
| Prints | 12 | $4,100 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Small (under 50 cm) | 33 | $10,080 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 25 | $5,938 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 67 results from 8 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Chris Burden is an American artist with 92 auction lots recorded since 2000, median price $10,080.

A work by Chris Burden sold in 2026 for $152,900, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Chris Burden work worth?

Across 67 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Chris Burden work is $10,080.

The median Chris Burden print sells for $4,000 across 18 lots.

The median Chris Burden photograph sells for $34,254 across 19 lots.

The median Chris Burden work on paper sells for $14,185 across 11 lots.

## Price breakdown by category

| Category | Lots tracked | Median price | Record price | Sell-through | Last sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prints & Editions | 27 | $4,000 | $15,275 | 66.7% | 2026-07-30 |
| Works on Paper | 12 | $14,185 | $40,000 | 91.7% | 2023-11-30 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 7 | $4,938 | $62,500 | 85.7% | 2025-01-08 |
| Photography | 24 | $34,254 | $158,610 | 79.2% | 2026-02-27 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 4 | $141,390 | $158,610 | — | 2026-09-17 |

## Price by size

### Prints & Editions

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 14 | $3,414–$5,704 | $4,100 | $15,275 |

### Works on Paper

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 7 | $7,901–$15,241 | $10,080 | $35,280 |

### Sculpture & Installation

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 5 | $774–$8,750 | $1,125 | $26,265 |

### Photography

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 16 | $21,955–$67,725 | $38,750 | $158,610 |

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

## Notable results

| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Photography | 2006 | $158,610 |
| Photography | 2020 | $129,880 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2016 | $62,500 |
| Works on Paper | 2022 | $40,000 |
| Works on Paper | 2022 | $35,280 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2000 | $26,265 |
| Prints & Editions | 2001 | $15,275 |
| Prints & Editions | 2012 | $15,000 |

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 Chris Burden worth?

Across 67 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Chris Burden work is $10,080. The median Chris Burden print sells for $4,000 across 18 lots. The median Chris Burden photograph sells for $34,254 across 19 lots. The median Chris Burden work on paper sells for $14,185 across 11 lots.

### What is the average price of a Chris Burden print?

Based on 18 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Chris Burden print is $4,000.

### What is Chris Burden's most expensive print?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Chris Burden print is $15,275.

### What is the average price of a Chris Burden photograph?

Based on 19 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Chris Burden photograph is $34,254.

### What is Chris Burden's most expensive photograph?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Chris Burden photograph is $158,610.

### What is the average price of a Chris Burden work on paper?

Based on 11 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Chris Burden work on paper is $14,185.

### What is Chris Burden's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Chris Burden work on paper is $40,000.

### What is the average price of a small Chris Burden photograph?

Based on 16 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Chris Burden photograph (small (under 50 cm)) is $38,750, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

### What is the average price of a medium Chris Burden print?

Based on 14 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Chris Burden print (medium (50–120 cm)) is $4,100, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

### What is Chris Burden's auction record?

Chris Burden's auction record is $158,610, set in 2006.

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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, “Chris Burden auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/chris-burden (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.