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

# Ernest Trova (1927–2009)

## What is Ernest Trova’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 180 auction results for Ernest Trova at 30 houses since 2000. Over the last 24 months the median price was $1,200 including buyer’s premium (middle half $575–$2,048, n=15). The auction record is $63,500 for Study/Falling Man (Wheelman) (2025, Sotheby's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Study/Falling Man (Wheelman), 1966 | Bronze | $63,500 | Sotheby's | Nov 2025 |
| 2 | Falling Man, Figure in Sphere (Study) | Stainless steel | $37,500 | Sotheby's | Sep 2010 |
| 3 | Study/Falling Man (Walking Man) | Polished cast bronze | $31,250 | Freeman's Hindman | Dec 2021 |
| 4 | Study/Falling Man (Walking Figure #2), 1986 | Stainless steel and epoxy | $25,400 | Sotheby's | Oct 2023 |
| 5 | Falling Man, 1972 | Enamel | $18,750 | Wright | Feb 2009 |
| 6 | Study/Falling Man (Horizontal Circle Figure) | Polished cast stainless steel | $18,750 | Freeman's Hindman | Dec 2021 |
| 7 | Falling Man (Carman), 1966 | Enamel | $17,625 | Christie's | Nov 2001 |
| 8 | Study/Falling Man (Radical Hinge Figure #2), 1986 | Stainless steel | $16,575 | Bonhams | Jul 2022 |
| 9 | Study/Falling Man (Standing Figure #2), 1986 | Stainless steel | $15,600 | Sotheby's | Oct 2024 |
| 10 | STUDY/FALLING MAN (RADIAL HINGE FIGURE) | Bronze | $12,500 | Sotheby's | Jul 2019 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Sculpture | 76 | $4,288 |
| Paintings | 29 | $1,750 |
| Other | 19 | $1,440 |
| Prints | 27 | $750 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 18 | $3,700 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 65 | $1,750 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 64 | $1,725 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 180 results from 30 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Ernest Trova is an American artist with 190 auction lots recorded since 2000, median price $1,750. 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 Ernest Trova sold in 2026 for $1,792, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Ernest Trova work worth?

Across 163 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Ernest Trova work is $1,750.

The median Ernest Trova sculpture sells for $5,000 across 61 lots.

The median Ernest Trova print sells for $374 across 37 lots.

The median Ernest Trova painting sells for $1,750 across 28 lots.

Small (under 50 cm) Ernest Trova sculptures typically sell for $1,170–$5,329 (the middle half of 34 sold lots).

Medium (50–120 cm) Ernest Trova prints typically sell for $134–$801 (the middle half of 30 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 | $374†‡ | $3,600 | 84.1% | 2026-03-13 |
| Paintings | 32 | $1,750 | $5,175 | 87.5% | 2026-08-18 |
| Works on Paper | 6 | $1,425† | $4,063 | — | 2026-09-10 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 67 | $5,000†‡ | $63,500 | 91% | 2026-10-08 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 9 | $23,000† | $63,500 | — | 2025-11-19 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

Ernest Trova's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (44 lots) median $374 with 84.1% sell-through. Paintings (32 lots) median $1,750, record $5,175. A typical Ernest Trova painting sells for around 4.7× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 9 lots) the median is $23,000.

## Price by size

### Prints & Editions

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 5 | $175–$2,250† | $200† | $3,600 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 30 | $134–$801†‡ | $348†‡ | $3,187 |

† 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 13 | $850–$2,040 | $1,750 | $3,200 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 10 | $1,425–$1,800 | $1,725 | $4,063 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 5 | $1,300–$3,200 | $3,000 | $5,175 |

### Sculpture & Installation

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 34 | $1,170–$5,329† | $2,375† | $37,500 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 20 | $4,925–$8,441† | $6,724† | $16,575 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 7 | $13,200–$24,200†‡ | $18,750†‡ | $63,500 |

† 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Sculpture & Installation | 2025 | $63,500 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2010 | $37,500 |
| Paintings | 2005 | $5,175 |
| Paintings | 2015 | $4,063 |
| Works on Paper | 2010 | $4,063 |
| Prints & Editions | 2011 | $3,600 |
| Prints & Editions | 2023 | $3,187 |
| Works on Paper | 2006 | $2,640 |

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 Ernest Trova worth?

Across 163 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Ernest Trova work is $1,750. The median Ernest Trova sculpture sells for $5,000 across 61 lots. The median Ernest Trova print sells for $374 across 37 lots. The median Ernest Trova painting sells for $1,750 across 28 lots. Small (under 50 cm) Ernest Trova sculptures typically sell for $1,170–$5,329 (the middle half of 34 sold lots). Medium (50–120 cm) Ernest Trova prints typically sell for $134–$801 (the middle half of 30 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 Ernest Trova sculpture?

Based on 61 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Ernest Trova sculpture is $5,000. 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 Ernest Trova's most expensive sculpture?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Ernest Trova sculpture is $63,500.

### What is the average price of a Ernest Trova print?

Based on 37 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Ernest Trova print is $374. 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 Ernest Trova's most expensive print?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Ernest Trova print is $3,600.

### What is the average price of a Ernest Trova painting?

Based on 28 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Ernest Trova painting is $1,750.

### What is Ernest Trova's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Ernest Trova painting is $5,175.

### What is the average price of a small Ernest Trova sculpture?

Based on 34 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Ernest Trova sculpture (small (under 50 cm)) is $2,375, 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 Ernest Trova print?

Based on 30 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Ernest Trova print (medium (50–120 cm)) is $348, 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 Ernest Trova's auction record?

Ernest Trova's auction record is $63,500, set in 2025.

---

Data last updated 2026-11-02. OpeningBid tracks 15,390,829 auction lots from 577 auction houses, refreshed nightly.

Cite this page as: OpeningBid, “Ernest Trova auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/ernest-trova (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.