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

# Eldzier Cortor (1916–2015)

## What is Eldzier Cortor’s work worth? {#value}

As of 3 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 53 auction results for Eldzier Cortor at 3 houses since 2007. Over the last 24 months the median price was $3,024 including buyer’s premium (middle half $2,032–$11,816, n=8). The auction record is $245,000 for Sea of Time (2018, Swann Auction Galleries). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sea of Time, 2015 | Oil on linen canvas | $245,000 | Swann Auction Galleries | Oct 2018 |
| 2 | Untitled (Figures in a Landscape), 1970 | Oil on canvas | $82,550 | Sotheby's | May 2023 |
| 3 | Lady with Fan II, 2015 | Oil on linen canvas | $75,000 | Swann Auction Galleries | Oct 2017 |
| 4 | Drawing for "Lantern Gate" (Southern Gate), 1988 | Brush, pen and ink on cream wove paper | $60,000 | Swann Auction Galleries | Dec 2015 |
| 5 | Island Momento No. 1, 2012 | Oil on linen | $40,640 | Swann Auction Galleries | Apr 2026 |
| 6 | Tête-à-Tête, 1934 | Oil on canvas | $35,000 | Swann Auction Galleries | Feb 2014 |
| 7 | Untitled (Nude Seated on a Bed), 1948 | Pen, ink, pastel and wash on cream wove paper | $27,500 | Swann Auction Galleries | Feb 2014 |
| 8 | Two Women with Earrings, 2015 | Oil on linen canvas | $25,000 | Swann Auction Galleries | Oct 2023 |
| 9 | Untitled (Young Couple), 2015 | Pen | $22,500 | Swann Auction Galleries | Apr 2025 |
| 10 | Study, 1916 | Pen and black and brown ink on cream wove paper | $18,000 | Swann Auction Galleries | Feb 2007 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 9 | $35,000 |
| Prints | 29 | $3,000 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Small (under 50 cm) | 11 | $13,970 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 31 | $3,000 |

Data as of 3 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 53 results from 3 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Eldzier Cortor is an American artist with 83 auction lots recorded since 2007, median price $3,750. Some sold prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium; they are marked on this page.

A work by Eldzier Cortor sold in 2026 for $8,255, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Eldzier Cortor work worth?

Across 53 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Eldzier Cortor work is $3,750.

The median Eldzier Cortor print sells for $3,000 across 38 lots.

The median Eldzier Cortor painting sells for $35,000 across 9 lots.

The median Eldzier Cortor work on paper sells for $20,250 across 6 lots.

Medium (50–120 cm) Eldzier Cortor prints typically sell for $2,016–$4,348 (the middle half of 31 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 | 42 | $3,000† | $12,500 | 90.5% | 2026-10-01 |
| Paintings | 11 | $35,000 | $245,000 | 81.8% | 2026-04-02 |
| Works on Paper | 7 | $20,250† | $60,000 | 85.7% | 2025-04-03 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 3 | $82,550 | $245,000 | — | 2023-05-19 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

Eldzier Cortor's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (42 lots) median $3,000 with 90.5% sell-through. Paintings (11 lots) median $35,000, record $245,000. A typical Eldzier Cortor painting sells for around 12× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 3 lots) the median is $82,550.

## Price by size

### Prints & Editions

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 5 | $2,200–$4,250† | $3,120† | $5,500 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 31 | $2,016–$4,348† | $3,000† | $12,500 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

### Paintings

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 6 | $15,695–$32,500 | $21,390 | $75,000 |

### Works on Paper

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 5 | $18,000–$27,500† | $22,500† | $60,000 |

† 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 | 2018 | $245,000 |
| Paintings | 2023 | $82,550 |
| Works on Paper | 2015 | $60,000 |
| Works on Paper | 2014 | $27,500 |
| Prints & Editions | 2016 | $12,500 |
| Prints & Editions | 2026 | $8,255 |

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 Eldzier Cortor worth?

Across 53 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Eldzier Cortor work is $3,750. The median Eldzier Cortor print sells for $3,000 across 38 lots. The median Eldzier Cortor painting sells for $35,000 across 9 lots. The median Eldzier Cortor work on paper sells for $20,250 across 6 lots. Medium (50–120 cm) Eldzier Cortor prints typically sell for $2,016–$4,348 (the middle half of 31 sold lots). Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is the average price of a Eldzier Cortor print?

Based on 38 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Eldzier Cortor print is $3,000. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is Eldzier Cortor's most expensive print?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Eldzier Cortor print is $12,500.

### What is the average price of a Eldzier Cortor painting?

Based on 9 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Eldzier Cortor painting is $35,000.

### What is Eldzier Cortor's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Eldzier Cortor painting is $245,000.

### What is the average price of a medium Eldzier Cortor print?

Based on 31 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Eldzier Cortor print (medium (50–120 cm)) is $3,000, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is Eldzier Cortor's auction record?

Eldzier Cortor's auction record is $245,000, set in 2018.

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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, “Eldzier Cortor auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/eldzier-cortor (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.