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

# Chuck Close (1940–2021)

## What is Chuck Close’s work worth? {#value}

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**

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gwynne, 1982 | Watercolor | $2,807,500 | Christie's | May 2004 |
| 2 | Cindy II, 1988 | Oil paint | $1,463,500 | Christie's | May 2003 |
| 3 | Cindy II, 1940 | Oil paint | $1,212,500 | Christie's | Nov 1999 |
| 4 | Mark, 1997 | Oil paint | $1,008,000 | Christie's | May 2025 |
| 5 | Leslie, 2007 | Painting | $615,000 | Christie's | Jul 2020 |
| 6 | Leslie / Pastel | — | $565,000 | Sotheby's | Nov 2007 |
| 7 | Autoportrait, 2012 | Impression pigmentaire en noir | $321,390 | Artcurial | May 2022 |
| 8 | Don N (Don Nice) | — | $240,000 | Sotheby's | May 2007 |
| 9 | Self-Portrait Maquette, 1968 | Ink | $230,500 | Christie's | Nov 2009 |
| 10 | Self-Portrait, 1980 | Drawing | $211,500 | Christie's | Nov 2016 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 10 | $36,410 |
| Photographs | 28 | $9,725 |
| Prints | 146 | $7,650 |
| Works on paper | 85 | $6,930 |
| Other | 117 | $5,440 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| 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](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


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).

- [Chuck Close on OpeningBid](https://www.openingbid.art/artist/chuck-close?ref=kg:chuck-close) — follow free in the OpeningBid app for sale alerts.

## 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

| Category | Lots tracked | Median price | Record price | Sell-through | Last sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prints & Editions | 302 | $6,500†‡ | $321,390 | 80.5% | 2026-10-22 |
| Paintings | 12 | $18,750 | $1.5M | 91.7% | 2025-12-10 |
| Works on Paper | 45 | $8,820 | $2.8M | 80% | 2026-10-22 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 4 | $19,994 | $31,500 | 50% | 2021-10-19 |
| Photography | 86 | $11,750† | $230,500 | 66.3% | 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

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| large (over 120 cm) | 7 | $28,415–$1.1M | $615,000 | $1.5M |

### Works on Paper

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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

| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Works on Paper | 2004 | $2.8M |
| Paintings | 2003 | $1.5M |
| Paintings | 1999 | $1.2M |
| Prints & Editions | 2022 | $321,390 |
| Photography | 2009 | $230,500 |
| Works on Paper | 2016 | $211,500 |
| Prints & Editions | 2020 | $176,400 |
| Photography | 2007 | $166,172 |

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 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.

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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, “Chuck Close auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/chuck-close (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.