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

# David Butler (1898–1997)

David Butler is an American artist with 101 auction lots recorded since 2003, median price $1,600. Some sold prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium; they are marked on this page.

A work by David Butler sold in 2026 for $3,810, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a David Butler work worth?

Across 88 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a David Butler work is $1,600.

The median David Butler sculpture sells for $828 across 22 lots.

The median David Butler painting sells for $825 across 20 lots.

The median David Butler work on paper sells for $1,100 across 18 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 | 1 | $1,150 | $1,150 | — | 2004-12-05 |
| Paintings | 20 | $825† | $5,000† | — | 2022-01-06 |
| Works on Paper | 18 | $1,100† | $5,000† | — | 2025-06-06 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 24 | $828† | $27,500 | 91.7% | 2026-02-27 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 5 | $27,500 | $62,500 | — | 2023-01-18 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

David Butler's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (1 lots) median $1,150. Paintings (20 lots) median $825, record $5,000. That record lot sold for a hammer price of $5,000 (buyer's premium not included). At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 5 lots) the median is $27,500.

## Price by size

### Paintings

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 18 | $667–$1,600† | $925† | $5,000† |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

### Works on Paper

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 18 | $750–$1,600† | $1,100† | $5,000† |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

### Sculpture & Installation

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 11 | $332–$1,668† | $828† | $11,875 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 9 | $700–$3,810† | $1,035† | $27,500 |

† 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Sculpture & Installation | 2022 | $27,500 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2022 | $11,875 |
| Paintings | 2019 | $5,000† |
| Works on Paper | 2019 | $5,000† |
| Paintings | 2019 | $2,200† |
| Works on Paper | 2019 | $2,200† |
| Prints & Editions | 2004 | $1,150 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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 David Butler worth?

Across 88 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a David Butler work is $1,600. The median David Butler sculpture sells for $828 across 22 lots. The median David Butler painting sells for $825 across 20 lots. The median David Butler work on paper sells for $1,100 across 18 lots. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is the average price of a David Butler sculpture?

Based on 22 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a David Butler sculpture is $828. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is David Butler's most expensive sculpture?

The highest price recorded at auction for a David Butler sculpture is $27,500.

### What is the average price of a David Butler painting?

Based on 20 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a David Butler painting is $825. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is David Butler's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a David Butler painting is $5,000. That record lot sold for a hammer price of $5,000 (buyer's premium not included).

### What is the average price of a David Butler work on paper?

Based on 18 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a David Butler work on paper is $1,100. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is David Butler's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a David Butler work on paper is $5,000. That record lot sold for a hammer price of $5,000 (buyer's premium not included).

### What is the average price of a medium David Butler work on paper?

Based on 18 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium David Butler work on paper (medium (50–120 cm)) is $1,100, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is the average price of a medium David Butler painting?

Based on 18 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium David Butler painting (medium (50–120 cm)) is $925, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is David Butler's auction record?

David Butler's auction record is $62,500, set in 2022.

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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, “David Butler auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/david-butler (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.