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

# David Shepherd (1931–2017)

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

As of 3 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 340 auction results for David Shepherd at 23 houses since 1998. Over the last 24 months the median price was $7,395 including buyer’s premium (middle half $5,194–$12,957, n=19). The auction record is $193,600 for Evening in the Luangwa (2023, Coeur d'Alene Art Auction). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Evening in the Luangwa, 1977 | Oil on canvas | $193,600 | Coeur d'Alene Art Auction | Jul 2023 |
| 2 | The Elephant and the Ant Hill, 1973 | Oil on canvas | $156,800 | Coeur d'Alene Art Auction | Jul 2007 |
| 3 | Aerial View of Westminster, 1931 | Painting | $132,658 | Bonhams | Jul 2022 |
| 4 | Mostly Elephants, 1930 | Oil paint | $117,827 | Christie's | Jul 2019 |
| 5 | The Bull - Old Charlie poses for his portrait, 1979 | Oil on canvas | $109,007 | Sotheby's | Jul 2026 |
| 6 | Browsing | Oil on canvas | $100,800 | Coeur d'Alene Art Auction | Jul 2007 |
| 7 | In thick cover, 1930 | Oil paint | $98,779 | Christie's | Dec 2019 |
| 8 | Elephant Afternoon, 1931 | Oil paint | $88,433 | Christie's | Jun 2024 |
| 9 | Amboseli | Oil on canvas | $81,900 | Sotheby's | Jan 2021 |
| 10 | the hunting tiger | — | $78,482 | Sotheby's | Mar 2008 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 164 | $15,000 |
| Other | 87 | $266 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 11 | $69,311 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 119 | $7,500 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 107 | $4,877 |

Data as of 3 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 340 results from 23 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


David Shepherd is a British (modern) artist with 359 auction lots recorded since 1998, median price $6,480. 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 Shepherd is recorded as sold in 2026 for $46,033; whether the price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a David Shepherd work worth?

Across 302 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a David Shepherd work is $6,480.

The median David Shepherd painting sells for $13,743 across 162 lots.

The median David Shepherd work on paper sells for $258 across 80 lots.

The median David Shepherd print sells for $192 across 42 lots.

Small (under 50 cm) David Shepherd paintings typically sell for $6,372–$15,531 (the middle half of 88 sold lots).

Medium (50–120 cm) David Shepherd paintings typically sell for $10,051–$40,704 (the middle half of 62 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 | 58 | $192†‡ | $4,560 | 72.4% | 2025-08-16 |
| Paintings | 181 | $13,743†‡ | $193,600 | 89.5% | 2026-08-12 |
| Works on Paper | 87 | $258‡ | $8,040‡ | 92% | 2024-06-25 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 1 | $1,175‡ | $1,175‡ | — | 2023-03-15 |
| Photography | 4 | $661‡ | $1,146‡ | 75% | 2010-04-20 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 17 | $81,900‡ | $193,600 | — | 2026-07-02 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

David Shepherd's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (58 lots) median $192 with 72.4% sell-through. Paintings (181 lots) median $13,743, record $193,600. A typical David Shepherd painting sells for around 72× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 17 lots) the median is $81,900.

## Price by size

### Prints & Editions

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 7 | $159–$550†‡ | $229†‡ | $594‡ |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 30 | $50–$258†‡ | $145†‡ | $1,363‡ |

† 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 88 | $6,372–$15,531‡ | $8,498‡ | $55,575 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 62 | $10,051–$40,704†‡ | $21,605†‡ | $193,600 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 10 | $50,370–$106,450 | $75,606 | $132,658 |

† 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) | 29 | $201–$617‡ | $284‡ | $8,040‡ |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 50 | $199–$358 | $253 | $1,627 |

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

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

## Notable results

| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 2023 | $193,600 |
| Paintings | 2022 | $132,658 |
| Works on Paper | 2010 | $8,040‡ |
| Works on Paper | 2004 | $5,390 |
| Prints & Editions | 2008 | $4,560 |
| Prints & Editions | 2006 | $1,363‡ |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2023 | $1,175‡ |
| Photography | 2008 | $1,146‡ |

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

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 Shepherd worth?

Across 302 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a David Shepherd work is $6,480. The median David Shepherd painting sells for $13,743 across 162 lots. The median David Shepherd work on paper sells for $258 across 80 lots. The median David Shepherd print sells for $192 across 42 lots. Small (under 50 cm) David Shepherd paintings typically sell for $6,372–$15,531 (the middle half of 88 sold lots). Medium (50–120 cm) David Shepherd paintings typically sell for $10,051–$40,704 (the middle half of 62 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 Shepherd painting?

Based on 162 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a David Shepherd painting is $13,743. 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 Shepherd's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a David Shepherd painting is $193,600.

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

Based on 80 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a David Shepherd work on paper is $258. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

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

The highest price recorded at auction for a David Shepherd work on paper is $8,040. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.

### What is the average price of a David Shepherd print?

Based on 42 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a David Shepherd print is $192. 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 Shepherd's most expensive print?

The highest price recorded at auction for a David Shepherd print is $4,560.

### What is the average price of a small David Shepherd painting?

Based on 88 sold lots, the median auction price of a small David Shepherd painting (small (under 50 cm)) is $8,498, 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 Shepherd painting?

Based on 62 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium David Shepherd painting (medium (50–120 cm)) is $21,605, 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 Shepherd's auction record?

David Shepherd's auction record is $193,600, set in 2023.

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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 Shepherd auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/david-shepherd (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.