> Source: https://www.openingbid.art/artist/elaine-de-kooning · updated 2026-11-02

# Elaine de Kooning (1918–1989)

## What is Elaine de Kooning’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 166 auction results for Elaine de Kooning at 14 houses since 1999. Over the last 24 months the median price was $27,830 including buyer’s premium (middle half $10,666–$40,760, n=30). The auction record is $609,600 for Squeeze Play (2023, Sotheby's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Squeeze Play, 1957 | Oil paint | $609,600 | Sotheby's | May 2023 |
| 2 | Red Bison/Blue Horse, 1985 | Charcoal | $562,500 | Christie's | Mar 2021 |
| 3 | Catskill Woods Study, 1965 | Watercolor on paper | $441,000 | Sotheby's | Nov 2021 |
| 4 | Sand Wall (Cave #54), 1985 | Oil paint | $441,000 | Christie's | May 2023 |
| 5 | White Grotto (Cave #62), 1986 | Oil paint | $441,000 | Christie's | Mar 2022 |
| 6 | Charging Bull, 1959 | Oil paint | $437,500 | Christie's | May 2021 |
| 7 | Vestibule Killing, 1955 | Oil on canvas | $408,000 | Sotheby's | Sep 2024 |
| 8 | Bullfight, 1960 | Oil paint | $352,800 | Christie's | Sep 2023 |
| 9 | Twilight in Juarez No. I, 1959 | Oil paint | $352,800 | Christie's | Mar 2022 |
| 10 | Untitled (watercolor on paper), 1956 | Watercolor on paper | $352,800 | Christie's | Jul 2025 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 60 | $56,250 |
| Other | 8 | $35,390 |
| Works on paper | 71 | $16,250 |
| Prints | 20 | $1,515 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 19 | $96,750 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 68 | $27,830 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 68 | $10,140 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 166 results from 14 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Elaine de Kooning is an American artist with 190 auction lots recorded since 1999, median price $22,860. Some sold prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium; they are marked on this page.

A work by Elaine de Kooning sold in 2026 for $179,200, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

**1 Elaine de Kooning work is coming to auction** (as of 2026-11-02).

- [Elaine de Kooning on OpeningBid](https://www.openingbid.art/artist/elaine-de-kooning?ref=kg:elaine-de-kooning) — follow free in the OpeningBid app for sale alerts.

## What is a Elaine de Kooning work worth?

Across 165 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Elaine de Kooning work is $22,860.

The median Elaine de Kooning painting sells for $56,250 across 67 lots.

The median Elaine de Kooning work on paper sells for $16,380 across 66 lots.

The median Elaine de Kooning print sells for $1,148 across 20 lots.

Small (under 50 cm) Elaine de Kooning work on papers typically sell for $6,150–$27,720 (the middle half of 41 sold lots).

Medium (50–120 cm) Elaine de Kooning paintings typically sell for $32,500–$175,000 (the middle half of 37 sold lots).

Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

## Price breakdown by category

| Category | Lots tracked | Median price | Record price | Sell-through | Last sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prints & Editions | 20 | $1,148† | $5,760 | — | 2026-04-13 |
| Paintings | 72 | $56,250 | $609,600 | 93.1% | 2026-10-08 |
| Works on Paper | 69 | $16,380† | $441,000 | 95.7% | 2026-09-23 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2 | $10,200 | $10,200 | 50% | 2024-12-11 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 23 | $216,000 | $609,600 | — | 2026-10-08 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

Elaine de Kooning's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (20 lots) median $1,148. Paintings (72 lots) median $56,250, record $609,600. A typical Elaine de Kooning painting sells for around 49× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 23 lots) the median is $216,000.

## Price by size

### Prints & Editions

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 10 | $694–$1,721† | $1,130† | $3,500 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 8 | $844–$2,099† | $1,246† | $3,000 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

### Paintings

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 11 | $10,312–$61,740 | $32,500 | $203,200 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 37 | $32,500–$175,000 | $51,814 | $609,600 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 19 | $58,500–$273,100 | $96,750 | $562,500 |

### Works on Paper

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 41 | $6,150–$27,720† | $12,600† | $352,800 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 23 | $12,288–$27,720 | $21,420 | $441,000 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

## Notable results

| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 2023 | $609,600 |
| Paintings | 2021 | $562,500 |
| Works on Paper | 2021 | $441,000 |
| Works on Paper | 2025 | $352,800 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2024 | $10,200 |
| Prints & Editions | 2026 | $5,760 |
| Prints & Editions | 2021 | $3,500 |

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 Elaine de Kooning worth?

Across 165 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Elaine de Kooning work is $22,860. The median Elaine de Kooning painting sells for $56,250 across 67 lots. The median Elaine de Kooning work on paper sells for $16,380 across 66 lots. The median Elaine de Kooning print sells for $1,148 across 20 lots. Small (under 50 cm) Elaine de Kooning work on papers typically sell for $6,150–$27,720 (the middle half of 41 sold lots). Medium (50–120 cm) Elaine de Kooning paintings typically sell for $32,500–$175,000 (the middle half of 37 sold lots). Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is the average price of a Elaine de Kooning painting?

Based on 67 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Elaine de Kooning painting is $56,250.

### What is Elaine de Kooning's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Elaine de Kooning painting is $609,600.

### What is the average price of a Elaine de Kooning work on paper?

Based on 66 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Elaine de Kooning work on paper is $16,380. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is Elaine de Kooning's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Elaine de Kooning work on paper is $441,000.

### What is the average price of a Elaine de Kooning print?

Based on 20 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Elaine de Kooning print is $1,148. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is Elaine de Kooning's most expensive print?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Elaine de Kooning print is $5,760.

### What is the average price of a small Elaine de Kooning work on paper?

Based on 41 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Elaine de Kooning work on paper (small (under 50 cm)) is $12,600, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is the average price of a medium Elaine de Kooning painting?

Based on 37 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Elaine de Kooning painting (medium (50–120 cm)) is $51,814, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

### What is Elaine de Kooning's auction record?

Elaine de Kooning's auction record is $609,600, set in 2023.

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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, “Elaine de Kooning auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/elaine-de-kooning (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.