Forrest Bess (1911–1977)
Forrest Bess is an American artist with 16 auction lots recorded since 2006, median price $33,096.
A work by Forrest Bess sold in 2022 for $35,560, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
2 Forrest Bess works are coming to auction (as of 2026-11-02). Follow Forrest Bess free on OpeningBid for sale alerts.
See the full Forrest Bess record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Forrest Bess on OpeningBid →What is a Forrest Bess work worth?
Across 14 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Forrest Bess work is $33,096.
The median Forrest Bess painting sells for $53,541 across 12 lots.
Price breakdown by category
| Category | Lots tracked | Median price | Record price | Sell-through | Last sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 12 | $53,541 | $156,455 | — | 2022-08-18 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 4 | $129,090 | $156,455 | — | 2011-11-10 |
Price by size
Paintings
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 10 | $27,640–$111,496 | $82,636 | $156,455 |
Size is the work's longest edge. Cells appear only with at least 5 sold lots.
Notable results
| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 2006 | $156,455 |
| Paintings | 2006 | $145,280 |
The highest recorded result in each medium. See the full sale history on OpeningBid.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Forrest Bess worth?
Across 14 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Forrest Bess work is $33,096. The median Forrest Bess painting sells for $53,541 across 12 lots.
What is the average price of a Forrest Bess painting?
Based on 12 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Forrest Bess painting is $53,541.
What is Forrest Bess's most expensive painting?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Forrest Bess painting is $156,455.
What is the average price of a small Forrest Bess painting?
Based on 10 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Forrest Bess painting (small (under 50 cm)) is $82,636, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
What is Forrest Bess's auction record?
Forrest Bess's auction record is $156,455, set in 2006.
See the full Forrest Bess record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Forrest Bess on OpeningBid →