Duane Michals (b. 1932)
What is Duane Michals’s work worth?
As of 3 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 215 auction results for Duane Michals at 32 houses since 1993. Over the last 24 months the median price was $1,778 including buyer’s premium (middle half $659–$3,467, n=42). The auction record is $26,000 for Narcissus (2017, Swann Auction Galleries). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Most Beautiful Part of a Man's Body, 2000 | Cartes-de-visite | $20,160 | Phillips | Oct 2022 |
| 2 | I Build a Pyramid | Cartes-de-visite | $13,750 | Phillips | Apr 2017 |
| 3 | The Most Beautiful Part of a Woman's Body, 1932 | Cartes-de-visite | $13,750 | Christie's | Mar 2015 |
| 4 | Andy Warhol (triptych), 1932 | Three gelatin silver prints | $12,600 | Christie's | Oct 2007 |
| 5 | The Most Beautiful Part of a Man's Body, 1932 | Gelatin silver print, mounted on card | $12,016 | Christie's | Nov 2011 |
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Narcissus, 1932 | Photographs | $26,000 | Swann Auction Galleries | Apr 2017 |
| 2 | Narcissus, 1932 | Ink | $18,750 | Swann Auction Galleries | Aug 2020 |
| 3 | The Most Beautiful Part of a Man's Body, 1932 | Ink | $16,250 | Swann Auction Galleries | Apr 2018 |
| 4 | Take One and See Mt. Fujiyama, 1932 | Gelatin silver prints | $15,000 | Christie's | Apr 2008 |
| 5 | Narcissus, 1985 | Silver prints | $13,970 | Swann Auction Galleries | Feb 2026 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Works on paper | 13 | $4,000 |
| Photographs | 127 | $3,750 |
| Other | 52 | $1,976 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Small (under 50 cm) | 163 | $3,500 |
Data as of 3 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 215 results from 32 houses · How we compute these figures
Duane Michals is an American artist with 275 auction lots recorded since 1993, median price $2,880. 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 Duane Michals sold in 2026 for $4,826, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
See the full Duane Michals record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Duane Michals on OpeningBid →What is a Duane Michals work worth?
Across 214 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Duane Michals work is $2,880.
The median Duane Michals photograph sells for $3,054 across 184 lots.
The median Duane Michals print sells for $3,768 across 7 lots.
The median Duane Michals work on paper sells for $1,459 across 2 lots.
Small (under 50 cm) Duane Michals photographs typically sell for $1,920–$5,824 (the middle half of 168 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 | 7 | $3,768 | $5,096 | — | 2026-10-15 |
| Paintings | 1 | $645 | $645 | — | 2026-09-26 |
| Works on Paper | 2 | $1,459 | $2,838 | — | 2026-10-20 |
| Photography | 207 | $3,054†‡ | $26,000 | 88.9% | 2026-10-15 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 11 | $13,970 | $26,000 | — | 2026-02-05 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Duane Michals's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (7 lots) median $3,768. Paintings (1 lots) median $645, record $645. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 11 lots) the median is $13,970.
Price by size
Prints & Editions
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 7 | $3,385–$4,674 | $3,768 | $5,096 |
Photography
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 168 | $1,920–$5,824†‡ | $3,390†‡ | $26,000 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Photography | 2017 | $26,000 |
| Photography | 2022 | $20,160 |
| Prints & Editions | 2022 | $5,096 |
| Prints & Editions | 2026 | $4,826 |
| Works on Paper | 2026 | $2,838 |
| Paintings | 2026 | $645 |
| Works on Paper | 2002 | $80 |
The highest recorded result in each medium. See the full sale history on OpeningBid.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Duane Michals worth?
Across 214 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Duane Michals work is $2,880. The median Duane Michals photograph sells for $3,054 across 184 lots. The median Duane Michals print sells for $3,768 across 7 lots. The median Duane Michals work on paper sells for $1,459 across 2 lots. Small (under 50 cm) Duane Michals photographs typically sell for $1,920–$5,824 (the middle half of 168 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 Duane Michals photograph?
Based on 184 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Duane Michals photograph is $3,054. 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 Duane Michals's most expensive photograph?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Duane Michals photograph is $26,000.
What is the average price of a small Duane Michals photograph?
Based on 168 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Duane Michals photograph (small (under 50 cm)) is $3,390, 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 Duane Michals's auction record?
Duane Michals's auction record is $26,000, set in 2017.
See the full Duane Michals record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Duane Michals on OpeningBid →