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

# Edward Burtynsky (b. 1955)

## What is Edward Burtynsky’s work worth? {#value}

As of 3 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 212 auction results for Edward Burtynsky at 18 houses since 2003. Over the last 24 months the median price was $8,421 including buyer’s premium (middle half $4,956–$12,638, n=38). The auction record is $100,000 for Nickel Tailings #34 and #35, Sudbury, Ontario (2014, Phillips). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nickel Tailings #34 and #35, Sudbury, Ontario | Chromogenic print diptych | $100,000 | Phillips | Oct 2014 |
| 2 | Manufacturing #17, Deda Chicken Processing Plant, Dehui City, Jilin Province, China | Fujicolor Crystal Archive print | $68,750 | Phillips | Oct 2019 |
| 3 | AMARC #5, Davis Monthan AFB, Tucson, Arizona, 2006, 1955 | Wool | $56,700 | Christie's | Feb 2024 |
| 4 | Thjorsa River #1, Iceland | Hand coloring | $44,100 | Phillips | Oct 2021 |
| 5 | Stepwell #4, Sagar Kund Baori, Bundi, Rajasthan, India, 2013 | Digital chromogenic print, printed 2013, flush-mounted on aluminium | $43,922 | Christie's | May 2018 |
| 6 | Pivot Irrigation #1, High Plains, Texas Panhandle, USA, 2011 | Hand coloring | $43,750 | Phillips | Oct 2016 |
| 7 | Thjorsá River #1, Southern Region, Iceland, 2012 | Hand coloring | $40,443 | Phillips | Nov 2021 |
| 8 | AMARC #5, Davis-Monthan AFB, Tuscon Arizona, 2006 | Hand coloring | $40,000 | Phillips | Oct 2016 |

**Top auction records: prints & editions**

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Manufacturing #17, Deda Chicken Processing Plant, Dehui City, Jilin Province, China, 2005 | Fujicolor Crystal Archive print | $60,000 | Phillips | Oct 2015 |
| 2 | Ölfusá River #1, Iceland, 2013 | Hand coloring | $53,340 | Phillips | Apr 2023 |

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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Photographs | 160 | $10,513 |
| Other | 22 | $9,223 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 104 | $15,000 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 75 | $7,495 |

Data as of 3 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 212 results from 18 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Edward Burtynsky is a Canadian artist with 280 auction lots recorded since 2003, median price $10,349. Some sold prices are not yet verified as premium-inclusive or hammer, and are marked on this page.

A work by Edward Burtynsky sold in 2026 for $33,540, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Edward Burtynsky work worth?

Across 211 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Edward Burtynsky work is $10,349.

The median Edward Burtynsky photograph sells for $10,000 across 188 lots.

The median Edward Burtynsky print sells for $15,600 across 15 lots.

The median Edward Burtynsky sculpture sells for $9,450 across 3 lots.

Large (over 120 cm) Edward Burtynsky photographs typically sell for $9,488–$21,420 (the middle half of 92 sold lots).

Medium (50–120 cm) Edward Burtynsky photographs typically sell for $4,840–$10,512 (the middle half of 71 sold lots).

Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

## Price breakdown by category

| Category | Lots tracked | Median price | Record price | Sell-through | Last sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prints & Editions | 16 | $15,600‡ | $68,750 | 93.8% | 2026-10-08 |
| Works on Paper | 1 | $12,500 | $12,500 | — | 2014-10-12 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 3 | $9,450 | $43,922 | — | 2026-01-29 |
| Photography | 237 | $10,000‡ | $100,000 | 79.3% | 2026-10-17 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 10 | $48,720 | $100,000 | — | 2024-02-22 |

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

## Price by size

### Prints & Editions

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| large (over 120 cm) | 10 | $13,575–$33,638 | $16,250 | $68,750 |

### Photography

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 71 | $4,840–$10,512 | $7,254 | $56,700 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 92 | $9,488–$21,420‡ | $14,415‡ | $100,000 |

‡ 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 | 2014 | $100,000 |
| Prints & Editions | 2019 | $68,750 |
| Prints & Editions | 2015 | $60,000 |
| Photography | 2024 | $56,700 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2018 | $43,922 |
| Works on Paper | 2014 | $12,500 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2024 | $9,450 |

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 Edward Burtynsky worth?

Across 211 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Edward Burtynsky work is $10,349. The median Edward Burtynsky photograph sells for $10,000 across 188 lots. The median Edward Burtynsky print sells for $15,600 across 15 lots. The median Edward Burtynsky sculpture sells for $9,450 across 3 lots. Large (over 120 cm) Edward Burtynsky photographs typically sell for $9,488–$21,420 (the middle half of 92 sold lots). Medium (50–120 cm) Edward Burtynsky photographs typically sell for $4,840–$10,512 (the middle half of 71 sold lots). Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is the average price of a Edward Burtynsky photograph?

Based on 188 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Edward Burtynsky photograph is $10,000. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Edward Burtynsky's most expensive photograph?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Edward Burtynsky photograph is $100,000.

### What is the average price of a Edward Burtynsky print?

Based on 15 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Edward Burtynsky print is $15,600. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Edward Burtynsky's most expensive print?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Edward Burtynsky print is $68,750.

### What is the average price of a large Edward Burtynsky photograph?

Based on 92 sold lots, the median auction price of a large Edward Burtynsky photograph (large (over 120 cm)) is $14,415, 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 Edward Burtynsky photograph?

Based on 71 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Edward Burtynsky photograph (medium (50–120 cm)) is $7,254, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

### What is Edward Burtynsky's auction record?

Edward Burtynsky's auction record is $100,000, set in 2014.

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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, “Edward Burtynsky auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/edward-burtynsky (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.