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

# David Salle (b. 1952)

## What is David Salle’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 334 auction results for David Salle at 37 houses since 1991. Over the last 24 months the median price was $6,045 including buyer’s premium (middle half $2,816–$34,293, n=28). The auction record is $795,961 for Mingus in Mexico (2017, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mingus in Mexico, 1990 | Acrylic paint | $795,961 | Christie's | Oct 2017 |
| 2 | Bigger Rack, 1998 | Acrylic paint | $677,550 | Christie's | Mar 2019 |
| 3 | Footmen, 1986 | Diptych | $583,500 | Christie's | May 2017 |
| 4 | Old Bottles, 1995 | Acrylic paint | $496,565 | Christie's | Mar 2018 |
| 5 | Nadar's Grey, 1990 | Acrylic paint | $495,000 | Phillips | Nov 2018 |
| 6 | Fall of Paris, 1991 | Acrylic and oil on canvas | $441,000 | Sotheby's | Nov 2021 |
| 7 | A Couple of Centuries, 1982 | Acrylic paint | $403,701 | Christie's | Oct 2017 |
| 8 | Dean Martin in 'Some Came Running', 1990 | Acrylic paint | $400,908 | Christie's | Oct 2018 |
| 9 | Pavane, 1990 | Graphite | $375,000 | Christie's | Nov 2021 |
| 10 | Blue, 1993 | Oil and acrylic on canvas | $353,351 | Christie's | Nov 2016 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 117 | $94,500 |
| Works on paper | 36 | $7,026 |
| Other | 29 | $5,313 |
| Prints | 82 | $1,011 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 129 | $94,500 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 98 | $1,999 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 25 | $1,690 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 334 results from 37 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


David Salle is an American artist with 453 auction lots recorded since 1991, median price $10,625. 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 David Salle sold in 2026 for $38,700, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

**2 David Salle works are coming to auction** (as of 2026-11-02).

- [David Salle on OpeningBid](https://www.openingbid.art/artist/david-salle?ref=kg:david-salle) — follow free in the OpeningBid app for sale alerts.

## What is a David Salle work worth?

Across 333 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a David Salle work is $10,625.

The median David Salle print sells for $875 across 117 lots.

The median David Salle painting sells for $94,403 across 133 lots.

The median David Salle work on paper sells for $8,190 across 44 lots.

Large (over 120 cm) David Salle paintings typically sell for $76,184–$174,648 (the middle half of 108 sold lots).

Medium (50–120 cm) David Salle prints typically sell for $605–$1,188 (the middle half of 77 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 | 149 | $875†‡ | $74,169 | 78.5% | 2026-10-20 |
| Paintings | 148 | $94,403†‡ | $795,961 | 89.9% | 2026-09-26 |
| Works on Paper | 47 | $8,190‡ | $56,700 | 93.6% | 2026-10-19 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 1 | $1,750 | $1,750 | — | 2021-03-23 |
| Photography | 14 | $3,250 | $85,391 | 85.7% | 2022-10-07 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 67 | $168,264 | $795,961 | — | 2026-02-28 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

David Salle's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (149 lots) median $875 with 78.5% sell-through. Paintings (148 lots) median $94,403, record $795,961. A typical David Salle painting sells for around 108× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 67 lots) the median is $168,264.

## Price by size

### Prints & Editions

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 14 | $449–$1,010† | $585† | $2,375 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 77 | $605–$1,188†‡ | $832†‡ | $9,088 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 19 | $1,137–$3,014† | $1,805† | $74,169 |

† 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 19 | $13,344–$38,750† | $32,824† | $52,920 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 108 | $76,184–$174,648‡ | $105,826‡ | $795,961 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

### Works on Paper

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 7 | $2,608–$5,166 | $4,774 | $6,875 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 28 | $5,580–$14,279 | $9,272 | $52,500 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 5 | $12,925–$32,688 | $25,000 | $56,700 |

### Photography

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 6 | $945–$1,403 | $1,041 | $3,250 |

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

## Notable results

| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 2017 | $795,961 |
| Paintings | 2019 | $677,550 |
| Photography | 2011 | $85,391 |
| Prints & Editions | 2015 | $74,169 |
| Works on Paper | 2010 | $56,700 |
| Photography | 2005 | $53,466 |
| Works on Paper | 2018 | $52,500 |
| Prints & Editions | 2002 | $27,516 |

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 Salle worth?

Across 333 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a David Salle work is $10,625. The median David Salle print sells for $875 across 117 lots. The median David Salle painting sells for $94,403 across 133 lots. The median David Salle work on paper sells for $8,190 across 44 lots. Large (over 120 cm) David Salle paintings typically sell for $76,184–$174,648 (the middle half of 108 sold lots). Medium (50–120 cm) David Salle prints typically sell for $605–$1,188 (the middle half of 77 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 David Salle print?

Based on 117 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a David Salle print is $875. 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 David Salle's most expensive print?

The highest price recorded at auction for a David Salle print is $74,169.

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

Based on 133 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a David Salle painting is $94,403. 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 David Salle's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a David Salle painting is $795,961.

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

Based on 44 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a David Salle work on paper is $8,190. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

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

The highest price recorded at auction for a David Salle work on paper is $56,700.

### What is the average price of a large David Salle painting?

Based on 108 sold lots, the median auction price of a large David Salle painting (large (over 120 cm)) is $105,826, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is the average price of a medium David Salle print?

Based on 77 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium David Salle print (medium (50–120 cm)) is $832, 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 David Salle's auction record?

David Salle's auction record is $795,961, set in 2017.

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