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

# Franz Kline (1910–1962)

## What is Franz Kline’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 213 auction results for Franz Kline at 22 houses since 1994. Over the last 24 months the median price was $89,250 including buyer’s premium (middle half $46,202–$119,634, n=22). The auction record is $40,402,500 for Untitled (oil on canvas) (2012, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Untitled (oil on canvas), 1957 | Oil paint | $40,402,500 | Christie's | Nov 2012 |
| 2 | King Oliver, 1958 | Oil paint | $26,485,000 | Christie's | Nov 2014 |
| 3 | Steeplechase, 1960 | Oil paint | $21,445,000 | Christie's | May 2015 |
| 4 | Light Mechanic, 1960 | Oil paint | $20,000,000 | Christie's | Nov 2017 |
| 5 | Harleman, 1960 | Oil on canvas | $14,480,000 | Sotheby's | May 2026 |
| 6 | De Medici, 1956 | Charcoal | $11,058,500 | Christie's | Nov 2012 |
| 7 | Washington Wall, 1959 | Oil paint | $10,760,000 | Christie's | May 2024 |
| 8 | Sawyer, 1959 | Oil paint | $9,990,000 | Phillips | Nov 2017 |
| 9 | Provincetown II, 1959 | Oil paint | $9,125,000 | Christie's | May 2015 |
| 10 | Mass. Harbor, 1961 | Oil paint | $6,600,000 | Sotheby's | Nov 2024 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 77 | $218,500 |
| Other | 27 | $85,649 |
| Works on paper | 78 | $60,835 |
| Prints | 8 | $957 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 25 | $5,448,000 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 45 | $127,000 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 114 | $67,518 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 213 results from 22 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Franz Kline is an American artist with 276 auction lots recorded since 1991, median price $86,500. 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 Franz Kline sold in 2026 for $268,800, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

**6 Franz Kline works are coming to auction** (as of 2026-11-02).

- [Franz Kline on OpeningBid](https://www.openingbid.art/artist/franz-kline?ref=kg:franz-kline) — follow free in the OpeningBid app for sale alerts.

## What is a Franz Kline work worth?

Across 209 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Franz Kline work is $86,500.

The median Franz Kline work on paper sells for $65,725 across 110 lots.

The median Franz Kline painting sells for $256,175 across 73 lots.

The median Franz Kline print sells for $17,560 across 6 lots.

Small (under 50 cm) Franz Kline work on papers typically sell for $16,455–$125,750 (the middle half of 90 sold lots).

Medium (50–120 cm) Franz Kline paintings typically sell for $96,070–$847,250 (the middle half of 27 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 | 8 | $17,560 | $821,000 | 75% | 2023-04-18 |
| Paintings | 83 | $256,175†‡ | $40.4M | 88% | 2026-05-28 |
| Works on Paper | 129 | $65,725†‡ | $576,000 | 85.3% | 2026-10-01 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 90 | $291,575† | $40.4M | — | 2026-10-01 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

Franz Kline's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (8 lots) median $17,560 with 75% sell-through. Paintings (83 lots) median $256,175, record $40,402,500. A typical Franz Kline painting sells for around 15× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 90 lots) the median is $291,575.

## Price by size

### Prints & Editions

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 5 | $7,620–$43,750 | $27,500 | $821,000 |

### Paintings

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 19 | $24,538–$100,800‡ | $62,500‡ | $588,500 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 27 | $96,070–$847,250† | $187,500† | $4.5M |
| large (over 120 cm) | 25 | $1.9M–$10.8M† | $5.4M† | $40.4M |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

### Works on Paper

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 90 | $16,455–$125,750†‡ | $67,518†‡ | $576,000 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 15 | $47,225–$131,650 | $61,189 | $352,000 |

† 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 | 2012 | $40.4M |
| Paintings | 2014 | $26.5M |
| Prints & Editions | 2013 | $821,000 |
| Works on Paper | 2005 | $576,000 |
| Works on Paper | 2013 | $485,000 |
| Prints & Editions | 2017 | $43,750 |

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 209 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Franz Kline work is $86,500. The median Franz Kline work on paper sells for $65,725 across 110 lots. The median Franz Kline painting sells for $256,175 across 73 lots. The median Franz Kline print sells for $17,560 across 6 lots. Small (under 50 cm) Franz Kline work on papers typically sell for $16,455–$125,750 (the middle half of 90 sold lots). Medium (50–120 cm) Franz Kline paintings typically sell for $96,070–$847,250 (the middle half of 27 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 Franz Kline work on paper?

Based on 110 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Franz Kline work on paper is $65,725. 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 Franz Kline's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Franz Kline work on paper is $576,000.

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

Based on 73 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Franz Kline painting is $256,175. 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 Franz Kline's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Franz Kline painting is $40,402,500.

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

Based on 90 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Franz Kline work on paper (small (under 50 cm)) is $67,518, 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 Franz Kline painting?

Based on 27 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Franz Kline painting (medium (50–120 cm)) is $187,500, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

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

Franz Kline's auction record is $40,402,500, set in 2012.

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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.