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Chuck Close (1940–2021)

What is Chuck Close’s work worth?

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 423 auction results for Chuck Close at 33 houses since 1999. Over the last 24 months the median price was $8,000 including buyer’s premium (middle half $3,302–$15,360, n=59). The auction record is $2,807,500 for Gwynne (2004, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

Top auction records: paintings, drawings & sculpture
#WorkMediumPriceHouseSold
1Gwynne, 1982Watercolor$2,807,500Christie'sMay 2004
2Cindy II, 1988Oil paint$1,463,500Christie'sMay 2003
3Cindy II, 1940Oil paint$1,212,500Christie'sNov 1999
4Mark, 1997Oil paint$1,008,000Christie'sMay 2025
5Leslie, 2007Painting$615,000Christie'sJul 2020
6Leslie / Pastel—$565,000Sotheby'sNov 2007
7Autoportrait, 2012Impression pigmentaire en noir$321,390ArtcurialMay 2022
8Don N (Don Nice)—$240,000Sotheby'sMay 2007
9Self-Portrait Maquette, 1968Ink$230,500Christie'sNov 2009
10Self-Portrait, 1980Drawing$211,500Christie'sNov 2016
Median price by medium (last 24 months, n ≥ 5)
MediumSalesMedian
Paintings10$36,410
Photographs28$9,725
Prints146$7,650
Works on paper85$6,930
Other117$5,440
Median price by size (last 24 months, n ≥ 5)
SizeSalesMedian
Large (over 120 cm)106$15,300
Medium (50-120 cm)172$7,560
Small (under 50 cm)95$3,780

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 423 results from 33 houses · How we compute these figures

Chuck Close is an American artist with 606 auction lots recorded since 1999, median price $6,965. 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 Chuck Close sold in 2026 for $8,000, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

9 Chuck Close works are coming to auction (as of 2026-11-02). Follow Chuck Close free on OpeningBid for sale alerts.

See the full Chuck Close record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.

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What is a Chuck Close work worth?

Across 422 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Chuck Close work is $6,965.

The median Chuck Close print sells for $6,500 across 243 lots.

The median Chuck Close photograph sells for $11,750 across 57 lots.

The median Chuck Close work on paper sells for $8,820 across 36 lots.

Medium (50–120 cm) Chuck Close prints typically sell for $4,183–$10,201 (the middle half of 116 sold lots).

Small (under 50 cm) Chuck Close prints typically sell for $1,875–$5,750 (the middle half of 65 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

CategoryLots trackedMedian priceRecord priceSell-throughLast sale
Prints & Editions302$6,500†‡$321,39080.5%2026-10-22
Paintings12$18,750$1.5M91.7%2025-12-10
Works on Paper45$8,820$2.8M80%2026-10-22
Sculpture & Installation4$19,994$31,50050%2021-10-19
Photography86$11,750†$230,50066.3%2026-07-30
Masterpieces (top of market)21$176,400$2.8M—2025-05-15

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.

Chuck Close's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (302 lots) median $6,500 with 80.5% sell-through. Paintings (12 lots) median $18,750, record $1,463,500. A typical Chuck Close painting sells for around 2.9× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 21 lots) the median is $176,400.

Price by size

Prints & Editions

SizeSold lotsTypical range (p25–p75)MedianRecord
small (under 50 cm)65$1,875–$5,750†‡$3,360†‡$18,750
medium (50–120 cm)116$4,183–$10,201†‡$6,875†‡$321,390
large (over 120 cm)56$7,590–$27,309†‡$20,000†‡$133,867

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.

Paintings

SizeSold lotsTypical range (p25–p75)MedianRecord
large (over 120 cm)7$28,415–$1.1M$615,000$1.5M

Works on Paper

SizeSold lotsTypical range (p25–p75)MedianRecord
small (under 50 cm)10$3,883–$33,175$7,188$211,500
medium (50–120 cm)21$4,462–$25,312$8,000$173,000
large (over 120 cm)5$16,250–$37,500$33,020$2.8M

Photography

SizeSold lotsTypical range (p25–p75)MedianRecord
small (under 50 cm)20$3,597–$15,000†$9,100†$166,172
medium (50–120 cm)30$5,164–$27,071†$9,412†$230,500
large (over 120 cm)7$21,490–$35,130$25,400$50,800

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

Notable results

MediumYearPrice
Works on Paper2004$2.8M
Paintings2003$1.5M
Paintings1999$1.2M
Prints & Editions2022$321,390
Photography2009$230,500
Works on Paper2016$211,500
Prints & Editions2020$176,400
Photography2007$166,172

The highest recorded result in each medium. See the full sale history on OpeningBid.

Frequently asked questions

What is a Chuck Close worth?

Across 422 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Chuck Close work is $6,965. The median Chuck Close print sells for $6,500 across 243 lots. The median Chuck Close photograph sells for $11,750 across 57 lots. The median Chuck Close work on paper sells for $8,820 across 36 lots. Medium (50–120 cm) Chuck Close prints typically sell for $4,183–$10,201 (the middle half of 116 sold lots). Small (under 50 cm) Chuck Close prints typically sell for $1,875–$5,750 (the middle half of 65 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 Chuck Close print?

Based on 243 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Chuck Close print is $6,500. 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 Chuck Close's most expensive print?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Chuck Close print is $321,390.

What is the average price of a Chuck Close photograph?

Based on 57 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Chuck Close photograph is $11,750. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

What is Chuck Close's most expensive photograph?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Chuck Close photograph is $230,500.

What is the average price of a Chuck Close work on paper?

Based on 36 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Chuck Close work on paper is $8,820.

What is Chuck Close's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Chuck Close work on paper is $2,807,500.

What is the average price of a medium Chuck Close print?

Based on 116 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Chuck Close print (medium (50–120 cm)) is $6,875, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. 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 small Chuck Close print?

Based on 65 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Chuck Close print (small (under 50 cm)) is $3,360, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. 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 Chuck Close's auction record?

Chuck Close's auction record is $2,807,500, set in 2004.

See the full Chuck Close record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.

View Chuck Close on OpeningBid →