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

# Ellsworth Kelly (1923–2015)

Ellsworth Kelly is an American artist with 278 auction lots recorded since 1992, median price $6,500. 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 Ellsworth Kelly sold in 2026 for $17,232, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Ellsworth Kelly work worth?

Across 261 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Ellsworth Kelly work is $6,500.

The median Ellsworth Kelly print sells for $5,925 across 227 lots.

The median Ellsworth Kelly work on paper sells for $94,870 across 18 lots.

Medium (50–120 cm) Ellsworth Kelly prints typically sell for $2,564–$9,375 (the middle half of 153 sold lots).

Large (over 120 cm) Ellsworth Kelly prints typically sell for $4,332–$15,121 (the middle half of 23 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 | 232 | $5,925†‡ | $54,882 | 97.8% | 2026-10-24 |
| Works on Paper | 18 | $94,870‡ | $398,024 | — | 2025-08-21 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 13 | $187,725 | $492,726 | — | 2016-05-11 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

‡ 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 22 | $562–$5,360†‡ | $2,000†‡ | $12,261 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 153 | $2,564–$9,375†‡ | $5,939†‡ | $32,929 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 23 | $4,332–$15,121 | $10,976 | $54,882 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

### Works on Paper

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 5 | $5,000–$20,361‡ | $8,346‡ | $25,000 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 11 | $92,125–$200,015 | $182,957 | $312,910 |

‡ 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Works on Paper | 2010 | $398,024 |
| Works on Paper | 2006 | $312,910 |
| Prints & Editions | 2004 | $54,882 |
| Prints & Editions | 2010 | $47,598 |

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 Ellsworth Kelly worth?

Across 261 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Ellsworth Kelly work is $6,500. The median Ellsworth Kelly print sells for $5,925 across 227 lots. The median Ellsworth Kelly work on paper sells for $94,870 across 18 lots. Medium (50–120 cm) Ellsworth Kelly prints typically sell for $2,564–$9,375 (the middle half of 153 sold lots). Large (over 120 cm) Ellsworth Kelly prints typically sell for $4,332–$15,121 (the middle half of 23 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 Ellsworth Kelly print?

Based on 227 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Ellsworth Kelly print is $5,925. 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 Ellsworth Kelly's most expensive print?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Ellsworth Kelly print is $54,882.

### What is the average price of a Ellsworth Kelly work on paper?

Based on 18 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Ellsworth Kelly work on paper is $94,870. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Ellsworth Kelly's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Ellsworth Kelly work on paper is $398,024.

### What is the average price of a medium Ellsworth Kelly print?

Based on 153 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Ellsworth Kelly print (medium (50–120 cm)) is $5,939, 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 large Ellsworth Kelly print?

Based on 23 sold lots, the median auction price of a large Ellsworth Kelly print (large (over 120 cm)) is $10,976, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

### What is Ellsworth Kelly's auction record?

Ellsworth Kelly's auction record is $492,726, set in 2016.

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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, “Ellsworth Kelly auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/ellsworth-kelly (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.