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

# Frank Bowling (b. 1936)

## What is Frank Bowling’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 107 auction results for Frank Bowling at 12 houses since 2008. Over the last 24 months the median price was $9,402 including buyer’s premium (middle half $2,397–$63,257, n=28). The auction record is $938,056 for Moby Dick (2023, Sotheby's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Moby Dick, 1981 | Acrylic on canvas | $938,056 | Sotheby's | Oct 2023 |
| 2 | Beggar No. 3, 1963 | Oil paint | $869,966 | Christie's | Jun 2019 |
| 3 | Odysseus's Footfalls, 1982 | Acrylic paint | $819,000 | Christie's | May 2024 |
| 4 | Self-portrait, 1959 | Oil paint | $554,639 | Christie's | Jun 2019 |
| 5 | Barticaflats VII, 1979 | Acrylic paint | $403,200 | Christie's | Sep 2022 |
| 6 | Lenoraseas, 1976 | Acrylic on canvas | $386,666 | Sotheby's | Oct 2023 |
| 7 | Potaroway, 1934 | Acrylic | $329,284 | Bonhams | Jun 2021 |
| 8 | For JJ... New Life, 1972 | Acrylic on canvas | $279,400 | Phillips | Nov 2024 |
| 9 | Worpswede Visit (Green Mansions), 1981 | Acrylic paint | $252,000 | Christie's | May 2025 |
| 10 | Untitled (acrylic and collage on canvas), 1934 | Acrylic | $242,951 | Bonhams | Jun 2023 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 80 | $66,664 |
| Prints | 15 | $2,850 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 27 | $155,138 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 61 | $45,150 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 12 | $8,057 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 107 results from 12 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Frank Bowling is a Guyanese artist with 127 auction lots recorded since 2008, median price $46,251. 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 Frank Bowling sold in 2026 for $217,278, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Frank Bowling work worth?

Across 107 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Frank Bowling work is $46,251.

The median Frank Bowling painting sells for $95,771 across 64 lots.

The median Frank Bowling print sells for $2,619 across 25 lots.

The median Frank Bowling work on paper sells for $11,624 across 4 lots.

Medium (50–120 cm) Frank Bowling paintings typically sell for $45,666–$106,542 (the middle half of 35 sold lots).

Large (over 120 cm) Frank Bowling paintings typically sell for $87,349–$225,958 (the middle half of 24 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 | 30 | $2,619† | $12,065 | 83.3% | 2026-10-14 |
| Paintings | 69 | $95,771†‡ | $938,056 | 92.8% | 2026-06-25 |
| Works on Paper | 4 | $11,624 | $43,914 | — | 2026-06-24 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 1 | $109,786 | $109,786 | — | 2026-03-19 |
| Photography | 3 | $2,339 | $3,000 | — | 2026-06-24 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 33 | $156,000 | $938,056 | — | 2026-06-25 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

Frank Bowling's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (30 lots) median $2,619 with 83.3% sell-through. Paintings (69 lots) median $95,771, record $938,056. A typical Frank Bowling painting sells for around 37× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 33 lots) the median is $156,000.

## Price by size

### Prints & Editions

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 19 | $1,576–$4,786† | $2,619† | $8,820 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

### Paintings

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 5 | $6,738–$18,046‡ | $9,375‡ | $554,639 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 35 | $45,666–$106,542 | $60,480 | $329,284 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 24 | $87,349–$225,958† | $155,569† | $938,056 |

† 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 2023 | $938,056 |
| Paintings | 2019 | $869,966 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2026 | $109,786 |
| Works on Paper | 2026 | $43,914 |
| Works on Paper | 2026 | $12,634 |
| Prints & Editions | 2025 | $12,065 |
| Prints & Editions | 2022 | $8,820 |
| Photography | 2021 | $3,000 |

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 Frank Bowling worth?

Across 107 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Frank Bowling work is $46,251. The median Frank Bowling painting sells for $95,771 across 64 lots. The median Frank Bowling print sells for $2,619 across 25 lots. The median Frank Bowling work on paper sells for $11,624 across 4 lots. Medium (50–120 cm) Frank Bowling paintings typically sell for $45,666–$106,542 (the middle half of 35 sold lots). Large (over 120 cm) Frank Bowling paintings typically sell for $87,349–$225,958 (the middle half of 24 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 Frank Bowling painting?

Based on 64 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Frank Bowling painting is $95,771. 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 Frank Bowling's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Frank Bowling painting is $938,056.

### What is the average price of a Frank Bowling print?

Based on 25 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Frank Bowling print is $2,619. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is Frank Bowling's most expensive print?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Frank Bowling print is $12,065.

### What is the average price of a medium Frank Bowling painting?

Based on 35 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Frank Bowling painting (medium (50–120 cm)) is $60,480, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

### What is the average price of a large Frank Bowling painting?

Based on 24 sold lots, the median auction price of a large Frank Bowling painting (large (over 120 cm)) is $155,569, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is Frank Bowling's auction record?

Frank Bowling's auction record is $938,056, set in 2023.

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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, “Frank Bowling auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/frank-bowling (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.