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

# Ellsworth Kelly (1923–2015)

## What is Ellsworth Kelly’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 1,350 auction results for Ellsworth Kelly at 75 houses since 1995. Over the last 24 months the median price was $6,048 including buyer’s premium (middle half $3,533–$11,108, n=155). The auction record is $9,809,000 for Red Curve VII (2019, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Red Curve VII, 1982 | Oil paint | $9,809,000 | Christie's | Nov 2019 |
| 2 | Red Curve V, 1982 | Oil paint | $5,430,000 | Christie's | Oct 2020 |
| 3 | Spectrum VI | Oil on canvas in thirteen parts | $5,193,000 | Sotheby's | Nov 2007 |
| 4 | Yellow Panel with Red Curve, 1989 | Oil paint | $4,830,000 | Christie's | Nov 2021 |
| 5 | Red Curve V, 1982 | Oil paint | $4,477,000 | Christie's | May 2014 |
| 6 | Blue Black Red, 1964 | Oil paint | $4,406,000 | Christie's | May 2025 |
| 7 | Rebound, 1959 | Oil paint | $4,285,000 | Sotheby's | May 2022 |
| 8 | Chatham X: Black Red | Oil on canvas | $4,282,500 | Sotheby's | Nov 2011 |
| 9 | Untitled (Totem) | Stainless steel | $4,002,500 | Sotheby's | May 2010 |
| 10 | Two Curves, 2004 | Oil paint | $3,801,000 | Christie's | Nov 2024 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 46 | $2,290,500 |
| Sculpture | 7 | $597,229 |
| Works on paper | 102 | $29,100 |
| Other | 60 | $17,954 |
| Prints | 987 | $6,250 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 132 | $21,463 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 768 | $7,372 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 266 | $4,862 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 1,350 results from 75 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Ellsworth Kelly is an American artist with 1,551 auction lots recorded since 1995, median price $6,810. 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 $38,400, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

**10 Ellsworth Kelly works are coming to auction** (as of 2026-11-02).

- [Ellsworth Kelly on OpeningBid](https://www.openingbid.art/artist/ellsworth-kelly?ref=kg:ellsworth-kelly) — follow free in the OpeningBid app for sale alerts.

## What is a Ellsworth Kelly work worth?

Across 1,340 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Ellsworth Kelly work is $6,810.

The median Ellsworth Kelly print sells for $6,000 across 1,096 lots.

The median Ellsworth Kelly work on paper sells for $44,875 across 78 lots.

The median Ellsworth Kelly painting sells for $2,238,000 across 50 lots.

Medium (50–120 cm) Ellsworth Kelly prints typically sell for $4,032–$10,000 (the middle half of 733 sold lots).

Small (under 50 cm) Ellsworth Kelly prints typically sell for $2,265–$6,300 (the middle half of 244 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 | 1,181 | $6,000†‡ | $69,300 | 92.8% | 2026-10-22 |
| Paintings | 55 | $2.2M | $9.8M | 90.9% | 2026-10-14 |
| Works on Paper | 93 | $44,875 | $2.9M | 83.9% | 2026-10-01 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 18 | $295,500 | $4M | 88.9% | 2025-10-21 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 90 | $1M | $9.8M | — | 2026-10-01 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

Ellsworth Kelly's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (1,181 lots) median $6,000 with 92.8% sell-through. Paintings (55 lots) median $2,238,000, record $9,809,000. A typical Ellsworth Kelly painting sells for around 373× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 90 lots) the median is $1,005,750.

## Price by size

### Prints & Editions

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 244 | $2,265–$6,300†‡ | $4,375†‡ | $30,240 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 733 | $4,032–$10,000†‡ | $6,300†‡ | $60,480 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 86 | $6,023–$21,250†‡ | $11,875†‡ | $69,300 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

### Paintings

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 8 | $699,311–$1.9M | $935,000 | $2.9M |
| large (over 120 cm) | 36 | $1.6M–$3.3M | $2.4M | $9.8M |

### Works on Paper

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 25 | $6,250–$94,500 | $50,400 | $242,500 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 45 | $20,480–$102,000 | $40,320 | $686,500 |

### Sculpture & Installation

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 10 | $95,790–$295,500 | $201,800 | $4M |
| large (over 120 cm) | 5 | $319,500–$1.4M | $597,229 | $3.8M |

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

## Notable results

| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 2019 | $9.8M |
| Paintings | 2020 | $5.4M |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2010 | $4M |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2012 | $3.8M |
| Works on Paper | 2021 | $2.9M |
| Works on Paper | 2016 | $708,500 |
| Prints & Editions | 2022 | $69,300 |
| Prints & Editions | 2023 | $60,480 |

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 1,340 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Ellsworth Kelly work is $6,810. The median Ellsworth Kelly print sells for $6,000 across 1,096 lots. The median Ellsworth Kelly work on paper sells for $44,875 across 78 lots. The median Ellsworth Kelly painting sells for $2,238,000 across 50 lots. Medium (50–120 cm) Ellsworth Kelly prints typically sell for $4,032–$10,000 (the middle half of 733 sold lots). Small (under 50 cm) Ellsworth Kelly prints typically sell for $2,265–$6,300 (the middle half of 244 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 1,096 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Ellsworth Kelly print is $6,000. 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 $69,300.

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

Based on 78 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Ellsworth Kelly work on paper is $44,875.

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

The highest price recorded at auction for a Ellsworth Kelly work on paper is $2,924,000.

### What is the average price of a Ellsworth Kelly painting?

Based on 50 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Ellsworth Kelly painting is $2,238,000.

### What is Ellsworth Kelly's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Ellsworth Kelly painting is $9,809,000.

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

Based on 733 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Ellsworth Kelly print (medium (50–120 cm)) is $6,300, 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 Ellsworth Kelly print?

Based on 244 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Ellsworth Kelly print (small (under 50 cm)) is $4,375, 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 Ellsworth Kelly's auction record?

Ellsworth Kelly's auction record is $9,809,000, set in 2019.

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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.