Earle Backen (1927–2005)
What is Earle Backen’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 21 auction results for Earle Backen at 3 houses since 2003. Over the last 24 months the median price was $93 including buyer’s premium (middle half $49–$104, n=10). The auction record is $651 for Monument (2026, Lawsons Auctioneers). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sunset Mt Leura II, 2001 | Oil on board | $251 | Lawsons Auctioneers | May 2026 |
| 2 | Still Life Apples, 1997 | Oil on board | $106 | Lawsons Auctioneers | Nov 2024 |
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Monument, 1972 | Etching | $651 | Lawsons Auctioneers | Jul 2026 |
| 2 | Rainforest, 1968 | Etching | $98 | Lawsons Auctioneers | May 2026 |
| 3 | Form Suspended.A. 01963 | Etching | $97 | Lawsons Auctioneers | Jun 2026 |
| 4 | Nude, 1967 | Etching | $89 | Lawsons Auctioneers | May 2026 |
| 5 | Cartiya 2, Package, 1927 | Etching on ivory wove paper | $49 | Shapiro Auctioneers | Jul 2025 |
| 6 | Gemini, 1977 | Etching on paper | $49 | Shapiro Auctioneers | Jul 2025 |
| 7 | EARLE I. BACKEN, Australia, Britain, France (1927 - 2005), Aquatint, 1962, etching and aquatint, ed. 4/20, 30 x 45 cm. (11.81 x 17.71 in.), frame: 57 x 69 x 2 cm. (22.44 x 27.17 x 0.79 in.), 1962 | Aquatint | $41 | Lawsons Auctioneers | Dec 2025 |
| 8 | Gemini, 1977 | Etching on paper | $41 | Shapiro Auctioneers | Jul 2025 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Prints | 8 | $69 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 7 | $89 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 21 results from 3 houses · How we compute these figures
Earle Backen is an Australia artist with 27 auction lots recorded since 2003, median price $74. 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 Earle Backen sold in 2026 for $651, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
See the full Earle Backen record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Earle Backen on OpeningBid →What is a Earle Backen work worth?
Across 18 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Earle Backen work is $74.
The median Earle Backen print sells for $58 across 9 lots.
The median Earle Backen painting sells for $128 across 3 lots.
The median Earle Backen photograph sells for $49 across 1 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 | 13 | $58† | $651 | 69.2% | 2026-07-08 |
| Paintings | 3 | $128† | $251 | — | 2026-05-27 |
| Works on Paper | 1 | $204† | $204† | — | 2015-02-26 |
| Photography | 1 | $49 | $49 | — | 2025-07-23 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.
Earle Backen's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (13 lots) median $58 with 69.2% sell-through. Paintings (3 lots) median $128, record $251. A typical Earle Backen painting sells for around 2.2× the price of a typical print.
Price by size
Prints & Editions
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 5 | $49–$97 | $89 | $651 |
Size is the work's longest edge. Cells appear only with at least 5 sold lots.
Notable results
| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Prints & Editions | 2026 | $651 |
| Paintings | 2026 | $251 |
| Works on Paper | 2015 | $204† |
| Paintings | 2015 | $128† |
| Prints & Editions | 2026 | $98 |
| Photography | 2025 | $49 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.
The highest recorded result in each medium. See the full sale history on OpeningBid.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Earle Backen worth?
Across 18 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Earle Backen work is $74. The median Earle Backen print sells for $58 across 9 lots. The median Earle Backen painting sells for $128 across 3 lots. The median Earle Backen photograph sells for $49 across 1 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 Earle Backen print?
Based on 9 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Earle Backen print is $58. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.
What is Earle Backen's most expensive print?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Earle Backen print is $651.
What is Earle Backen's auction record?
Earle Backen's auction record is $651, set in 2026.
See the full Earle Backen record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Earle Backen on OpeningBid →