> Source: https://www.openingbid.art/artist/franco-fontana · updated 2026-11-03

# Franco Fontana (b. 1933)

## What is Franco Fontana’s work worth? {#value}

As of 3 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 327 auction results for Franco Fontana at 24 houses since 1999. Over the last 24 months the median price was $1,395 including buyer’s premium (middle half $828–$2,326, n=84). The auction record is $23,581 for Paesaggio (2026, Finarte Casa d'Aste). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Paesaggio, 1987 | Stampa cibachrome vintage | $23,581 | Finarte Casa d'Aste | Apr 2026 |
| 2 | Group of 11 striking color field landscape abstractions, 1933 | Ink | $9,375 | Swann Auction Galleries | Feb 2017 |
| 3 | abstract photographs of pastoral and urban scenery, 1967-1987 | Dye-transfer prints | $7,500 | Swann Auction Galleries | Apr 2016 |
| 4 | Piscina, 1984 | Signée | $7,287 | Artcurial | Oct 2015 |
| 5 | Paesaggio urbano, Los Angeles, 1991 | C-print vintage su carta Kodak montata su alluminio | $7,028 | Finarte Casa d'Aste | Mar 2022 |
| 6 | Paesaggio (Puglia), 1987 | Stampa Dye transfer vintage, montata su passepartout originale | $5,938 | Finarte Casa d'Aste | Jun 2025 |
| 7 | Paesaggio urbano, Cetraro, 1985 | C-print | $5,895 | Finarte Casa d'Aste | Apr 2026 |
| 8 | Paesaggio italiano, 1985 | Stampa Dye Transfer, montata su cartoncino originale | $5,473 | Finarte Casa d'Aste | May 2026 |
| 9 | architectural abstraction photographs, 1933 | Photographs | $5,460 | Swann Auction Galleries | Apr 2017 |

**Top auction records: prints & editions**

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Paesaggio, 1978 | Stampa dye transfer vintage applicata su alluminio | $5,445 | Finarte Casa d'Aste | Oct 2026 |

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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Photographs | 227 | $1,515 |
| Other | 75 | $1,483 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 43 | $2,712 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 252 | $1,466 |

Data as of 3 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 327 results from 24 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Franco Fontana is an Italian artist with 523 auction lots recorded since 1999, median price $1,496. 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 Franco Fontana sold in 2026 for $2,579, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

**4 Franco Fontana works are coming to auction** (as of 2026-11-03).

- [Franco Fontana on OpeningBid](https://www.openingbid.art/artist/franco-fontana?ref=kg:franco-fontana) — follow free in the OpeningBid app for sale alerts.

## What is a Franco Fontana work worth?

Across 327 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Franco Fontana work is $1,496.

The median Franco Fontana photograph sells for $1,499 across 307 lots.

The median Franco Fontana print sells for $1,483 across 15 lots.

Small (under 50 cm) Franco Fontana photographs typically sell for $1,003–$2,043 (the middle half of 250 sold lots).

Medium (50–120 cm) Franco Fontana photographs typically sell for $1,410–$3,735 (the middle half of 44 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 | 19 | $1,483 | $9,375 | 78.9% | 2025-12-12 |
| Photography | 363 | $1,499†‡ | $23,581 | 84.6% | 2026-10-14 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 16 | $5,467 | $23,581 | — | 2026-10-14 |

† 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) | 9 | $1,203–$2,503 | $1,483 | $9,375 |

### Photography

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 250 | $1,003–$2,043†‡ | $1,466†‡ | $23,581 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 44 | $1,410–$3,735‡ | $2,703‡ | $7,287 |

† 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Photography | 2026 | $23,581 |
| Prints & Editions | 2017 | $9,375 |
| Photography | 2016 | $7,500 |
| Prints & Editions | 2017 | $2,919 |

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 Franco Fontana worth?

Across 327 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Franco Fontana work is $1,496. The median Franco Fontana photograph sells for $1,499 across 307 lots. The median Franco Fontana print sells for $1,483 across 15 lots. Small (under 50 cm) Franco Fontana photographs typically sell for $1,003–$2,043 (the middle half of 250 sold lots). Medium (50–120 cm) Franco Fontana photographs typically sell for $1,410–$3,735 (the middle half of 44 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 Franco Fontana photograph?

Based on 307 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Franco Fontana photograph is $1,499. 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 Franco Fontana's most expensive photograph?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Franco Fontana photograph is $23,581.

### What is the average price of a Franco Fontana print?

Based on 15 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Franco Fontana print is $1,483.

### What is Franco Fontana's most expensive print?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Franco Fontana print is $9,375.

### What is the average price of a small Franco Fontana photograph?

Based on 250 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Franco Fontana photograph (small (under 50 cm)) is $1,466, 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 medium Franco Fontana photograph?

Based on 44 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Franco Fontana photograph (medium (50–120 cm)) is $2,703, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Franco Fontana's auction record?

Franco Fontana's auction record is $23,581, set in 2026.

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Data last updated 2026-11-03. OpeningBid tracks 15,596,131 auction lots from 579 auction houses, refreshed nightly.

Cite this page as: OpeningBid, “Franco Fontana auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/franco-fontana (updated 2026-11-03).

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.