Ernie Barnes (1939–2009)
What is Ernie Barnes’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 162 auction results for Ernie Barnes at 16 houses since 2008. Over the last 24 months the median price was $56,075 including buyer’s premium (middle half $18,640–$184,275, n=36). The auction record is $15,275,000 for The Sugar Shack (2022, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Sugar Shack, 1976 | Acrylic paint | $15,275,000 | Christie's | May 2022 |
| 2 | Storm Dance, 1977 | Acrylic paint | $2,340,000 | Christie's | May 2022 |
| 3 | Main Street Pool Hall, 1978 | Oil paint | $1,812,554 | Christie's | Jun 2022 |
| 4 | Club 55, 1990 | Acrylic paint | $1,170,000 | Sotheby's | Sep 2023 |
| 5 | Listen Up!, 1980 | Acrylic paint | $963,074 | Christie's | May 2022 |
| 6 | One-On-None, 1979 | Acrylic paint | $945,000 | Christie's | Nov 2022 |
| 7 | The Gospel Truth, 1985 | Acrylic | $851,387 | Bonhams | Oct 2022 |
| 8 | Life After Sundown, 1979 | Acrylic paint | $770,454 | Phillips | Jun 2022 |
| 9 | 3 on 3, 1973 | Oil paint | $635,000 | Christie's | Sep 2025 |
| 10 | Pail Hoops, 1974 | Oil paint | $630,000 | Christie's | Nov 2024 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 95 | $152,400 |
| Other | 5 | $35,655 |
| Works on paper | 6 | $17,665 |
| Prints | 17 | $2,295 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 28 | $401,532 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 87 | $63,000 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 162 results from 16 houses · How we compute these figures
Ernie Barnes is an American artist with 210 auction lots recorded since 2008, median price $55,803. 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 Ernie Barnes sold in 2026 for $172,800, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
1 Ernie Barnes work is coming to auction (as of 2026-11-02). Follow Ernie Barnes free on OpeningBid for sale alerts.
See the full Ernie Barnes record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Ernie Barnes on OpeningBid →What is a Ernie Barnes work worth?
Across 160 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Ernie Barnes work is $55,803.
The median Ernie Barnes painting sells for $160,000 across 96 lots.
The median Ernie Barnes print sells for $1,275 across 37 lots.
The median Ernie Barnes work on paper sells for $23,225 across 13 lots.
Medium (50–120 cm) Ernie Barnes paintings typically sell for $47,500–$315,000 (the middle half of 65 sold lots).
Medium (50–120 cm) Ernie Barnes prints typically sell for $791–$2,168 (the middle half of 35 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 | 42 | $1,275† | $14,025 | 88.1% | 2025-11-25 |
| Paintings | 107 | $160,000† | $15.3M | 89.7% | 2026-10-01 |
| Works on Paper | 15 | $23,225 | $76,200 | 86.7% | 2026-10-01 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 60 | $367,050† | $15.3M | — | 2026-10-01 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.
Ernie Barnes's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (42 lots) median $1,275 with 88.1% sell-through. Paintings (107 lots) median $160,000, record $15,275,000. A typical Ernie Barnes painting sells for around 125× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 60 lots) the median is $367,050.
Price by size
Prints & Editions
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 35 | $791–$2,168† | $1,300† | $14,025 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.
Paintings
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 65 | $47,500–$315,000† | $138,600† | $963,074 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 28 | $128,596–$626,827† | $401,532† | $15.3M |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.
Works on Paper
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 9 | $20,160–$38,700 | $25,200 | $57,150 |
Size is the work's longest edge. Cells appear only with at least 5 sold lots.
Notable results
| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 2022 | $15.3M |
| Paintings | 2022 | $2.3M |
| Works on Paper | 2023 | $76,200 |
| Works on Paper | 2024 | $57,150 |
| Prints & Editions | 2024 | $14,025 |
| Prints & Editions | 2022 | $4,600† |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.
The highest recorded result in each medium. See the full sale history on OpeningBid.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Ernie Barnes worth?
Across 160 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Ernie Barnes work is $55,803. The median Ernie Barnes painting sells for $160,000 across 96 lots. The median Ernie Barnes print sells for $1,275 across 37 lots. The median Ernie Barnes work on paper sells for $23,225 across 13 lots. Medium (50–120 cm) Ernie Barnes paintings typically sell for $47,500–$315,000 (the middle half of 65 sold lots). Medium (50–120 cm) Ernie Barnes prints typically sell for $791–$2,168 (the middle half of 35 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 Ernie Barnes painting?
Based on 96 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Ernie Barnes painting is $160,000. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.
What is Ernie Barnes's most expensive painting?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Ernie Barnes painting is $15,275,000.
What is the average price of a Ernie Barnes print?
Based on 37 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Ernie Barnes print is $1,275. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.
What is Ernie Barnes's most expensive print?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Ernie Barnes print is $14,025.
What is the average price of a Ernie Barnes work on paper?
Based on 13 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Ernie Barnes work on paper is $23,225.
What is Ernie Barnes's most expensive work on paper?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Ernie Barnes work on paper is $76,200.
What is the average price of a medium Ernie Barnes painting?
Based on 65 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Ernie Barnes painting (medium (50–120 cm)) is $138,600, 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 Ernie Barnes print?
Based on 35 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Ernie Barnes print (medium (50–120 cm)) is $1,300, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.
What is Ernie Barnes's auction record?
Ernie Barnes's auction record is $15,275,000, set in 2022.
See the full Ernie Barnes record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Ernie Barnes on OpeningBid →