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

# Franz Kline (1910–1962)

Franz Kline is an American artist with 38 auction lots recorded since 1999, median price $94,510. Some sold prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium; they are marked on this page.

A work by Franz Kline sold in 2020 for $4,013,000, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Franz Kline work worth?

Across 32 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Franz Kline work is $94,510.

The median Franz Kline work on paper sells for $98,981 across 16 lots.

The median Franz Kline painting sells for $135,579 across 11 lots.

The median Franz Kline print sells for $2,300 across 3 lots.

Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

## Price breakdown by category

| Category | Lots tracked | Median price | Record price | Sell-through | Last sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prints & Editions | 3 | $2,300 | $27,500 | — | 2020-06-18 |
| Paintings | 11 | $135,579 | $4M | — | 2026-05-21 |
| Works on Paper | 18 | $98,981 | $806,520 | 88.9% | 2021-06-30 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 15 | $213,134 | $4M | — | 2020-10-28 |

Franz Kline's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (3 lots) median $2,300. Paintings (11 lots) median $135,579, record $4,013,000. A typical Franz Kline painting sells for around 59× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 15 lots) the median is $213,134.

## Price by size

### Paintings

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 7 | $55,216–$219,067 | $135,579 | $231,250 |

### Works on Paper

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 14 | $45,613–$293,232 | $98,981 | $806,520 |

Size is the work's longest edge. Cells appear only with at least 5 sold lots.

## Notable results

| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 2020 | $4M |
| Works on Paper | 2005 | $806,520 |
| Works on Paper | 2006 | $407,855 |
| Paintings | 2020 | $231,250 |
| Prints & Editions | 2019 | $27,500 |
| Prints & Editions | 1999 | $2,300 |

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 Franz Kline worth?

Across 32 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Franz Kline work is $94,510. The median Franz Kline work on paper sells for $98,981 across 16 lots. The median Franz Kline painting sells for $135,579 across 11 lots. The median Franz Kline print sells for $2,300 across 3 lots. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is the average price of a Franz Kline work on paper?

Based on 16 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Franz Kline work on paper is $98,981.

### What is Franz Kline's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Franz Kline work on paper is $806,520.

### What is the average price of a Franz Kline painting?

Based on 11 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Franz Kline painting is $135,579.

### What is Franz Kline's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Franz Kline painting is $4,013,000.

### What is the average price of a small Franz Kline work on paper?

Based on 14 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Franz Kline work on paper (small (under 50 cm)) is $98,981, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

### What is Franz Kline's auction record?

Franz Kline's auction record is $4,013,000, set in 2020.

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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, “Franz Kline auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/franz-kline (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.