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

# Edward Steichen (1879–1973)

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

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 401 auction results for Edward Steichen at 40 houses since 1992. Over the last 24 months the median price was $1,901 including buyer’s premium (middle half $857–$7,283, n=66). The auction record is $11,840,000 for The Flatiron (2022, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Flatiron, 1905 | Gum-bichromate over platinum print | $11,840,000 | Christie's | Nov 2022 |
| 2 | Heavy Roses, Voulangis, France, 1914 | Palladium print, solarized | $524,000 | Phillips | Apr 2019 |
| 3 | Moonlit Landscape, 1907 | Oil paint | $362,500 | Christie's | May 2010 |
| 4 | Gloria Swanson, New York, 1924 | Cartes-de-visite | $346,309 | Phillips | May 2022 |
| 5 | Moonlit Landscape, 1879 | Oil paint | $189,500 | Christie's | Nov 1999 |
| 6 | Narcissus, 1901 | Platinum print | $187,500 | Christie's | Oct 2017 |
| 7 | Balzac by Rodin, 2 AM, Meudon, September 1908, 1879 | Photograph | $182,192 | Christie's | Nov 2005 |
| 8 | Richard Strauss, New York | Gum pigment print | $148,571 | Phillips | Nov 2013 |
| 9 | Diagram of Doom - 2 | Palladium print | $122,500 | Phillips | Apr 2013 |
| 10 | Time, Space Continuum, 1879 | Crayon | $119,126 | Christie's | Nov 2005 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Photographs | 210 | $6,713 |
| Works on paper | 12 | $4,728 |
| Other | 106 | $2,284 |
| Prints | 13 | $1,072 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 15 | $6,875 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 277 | $4,000 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 401 results from 40 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Edward Steichen is an American artist with 655 auction lots recorded since 1992, median price $3,600. 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 Edward Steichen sold in 2026 for $140,800, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Edward Steichen work worth?

Across 397 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Edward Steichen work is $3,600.

The median Edward Steichen photograph sells for $3,250 across 308 lots.

The median Edward Steichen print sells for $3,100 across 40 lots.

The median Edward Steichen work on paper sells for $12,992 across 10 lots.

Small (under 50 cm) Edward Steichen photographs typically sell for $1,195–$15,275 (the middle half of 253 sold lots).

Small (under 50 cm) Edward Steichen prints typically sell for $1,358–$25,312 (the middle half of 38 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 | 44 | $3,100 | $524,000 | 90.9% | 2025-11-21 |
| Paintings | 6 | $51,612† | $362,500 | — | 2026-02-27 |
| Works on Paper | 11 | $12,992‡ | $119,126 | 90.9% | 2020-12-04 |
| Photography | 388 | $3,250†‡ | $11.8M | 79.4% | 2026-10-22 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 20 | $144,686 | $11.8M | — | 2026-10-22 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

Edward Steichen's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (44 lots) median $3,100 with 90.9% sell-through. Paintings (6 lots) median $51,612, record $362,500. A typical Edward Steichen painting sells for around 17× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 20 lots) the median is $144,686.

## Price by size

### Prints & Editions

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 38 | $1,358–$25,312 | $3,100 | $524,000 |

### Works on Paper

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 8 | $8,432–$90,067‡ | $19,512‡ | $119,126 |

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

### Photography

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 253 | $1,195–$15,275†‡ | $3,840†‡ | $11.8M |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 16 | $430–$4,873† | $1,992† | $25,000 |

† 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 | 2022 | $11.8M |
| Photography | 2016 | $665,000 |
| Prints & Editions | 2019 | $524,000 |
| Paintings | 2010 | $362,500 |
| Paintings | 1999 | $189,500 |
| Prints & Editions | 2013 | $148,571 |
| Works on Paper | 2005 | $119,126 |
| Works on Paper | 2005 | $108,000 |

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 Steichen worth?

Across 397 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Edward Steichen work is $3,600. The median Edward Steichen photograph sells for $3,250 across 308 lots. The median Edward Steichen print sells for $3,100 across 40 lots. The median Edward Steichen work on paper sells for $12,992 across 10 lots. Small (under 50 cm) Edward Steichen photographs typically sell for $1,195–$15,275 (the middle half of 253 sold lots). Small (under 50 cm) Edward Steichen prints typically sell for $1,358–$25,312 (the middle half of 38 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 Edward Steichen photograph?

Based on 308 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Edward Steichen photograph is $3,250. 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 Edward Steichen's most expensive photograph?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Edward Steichen photograph is $11,840,000.

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

Based on 40 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Edward Steichen print is $3,100.

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

The highest price recorded at auction for a Edward Steichen print is $524,000.

### What is the average price of a Edward Steichen work on paper?

Based on 10 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Edward Steichen work on paper is $12,992. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Edward Steichen's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Edward Steichen work on paper is $119,126.

### What is the average price of a small Edward Steichen photograph?

Based on 253 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Edward Steichen photograph (small (under 50 cm)) is $3,840, 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 the average price of a small Edward Steichen print?

Based on 38 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Edward Steichen print (small (under 50 cm)) is $3,100, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

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

Edward Steichen's auction record is $11,840,000, set in 2022.

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