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Franz West (1947–2012)

What is Franz West’s work worth?

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 715 auction results for Franz West at 36 houses since 1998. Over the last 24 months the median price was $21,899 including buyer’s premium (middle half $6,732–$81,900, n=65). The auction record is $871,500 for Untitled (sculpture, styrodur, steel, epoxy resin, lacquer) (2017, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

Top auction records: paintings, drawings & sculpture
#WorkMediumPriceHouseSold
1Untitled (sculpture, styrodur, steel, epoxy resin, lacquer), 2011Stainless steel$871,500Christie'sMay 2017
2Untitled (Lemur Pink), 2008Papier-mâché, styrofoam, acrylic lacquer and metal$592,200Christie'sMay 2022
3Onkel-Stuhl (Uncle Chair), 2001Woven synthetic textile over steel tubular frame$525,000Christie'sMar 2021
4Untitled (steel, cardboard, papier-mâché, acrylic and polystyrene), 2012Acrylic paint$487,500Christie'sMay 2017
5Untitled (Two heads)Lacquered aluminum, aluminum stands$461,000PhillipsMay 2013
6Untitled (acrylic on papier-mâché on metal base), 2007Acrylic paint$444,995PhillipsJun 2019
7Larvae, 2004Lacquered aluminium$424,216PhillipsOct 2014
8Lemure, 2003Painted aluminium$423,404Christie'sMar 2026
9Paukenschlag (Drum Beat), 2009Iron$409,210Christie'sOct 2020
10Untitled (acrylic on papier-mâché and iron base), 2009Acrylic paint$399,000Christie'sJul 2020
Median price by medium (last 24 months, n ≥ 5)
MediumSalesMedian
Sculpture121$78,120
Paintings24$35,260
Works on paper65$23,297
Other304$12,662
Photographs7$5,549
Prints11$1,555
Median price by size (last 24 months, n ≥ 5)
SizeSalesMedian
Medium (50-120 cm)183$30,164
Small (under 50 cm)107$18,045
Large (over 120 cm)194$13,489

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 715 results from 36 houses · How we compute these figures

Franz West is an Austrian artist with 892 auction lots recorded since 1998, median price $18,045. 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 West sold in 2026 for $64,000, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

9 Franz West works are coming to auction (as of 2026-11-02). Follow Franz West free on OpeningBid for sale alerts.

See the full Franz West record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.

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What is a Franz West work worth?

Across 711 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Franz West work is $18,045.

The median Franz West sculpture sells for $30,164 across 219 lots.

The median Franz West work on paper sells for $21,899 across 49 lots.

The median Franz West print sells for $885 across 19 lots.

Medium (50–120 cm) Franz West sculptures typically sell for $13,434–$77,980 (the middle half of 102 sold lots).

Large (over 120 cm) Franz West sculptures typically sell for $7,800–$158,505 (the middle half of 97 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

CategoryLots trackedMedian priceRecord priceSell-throughLast sale
Prints & Editions22$885†$68,62986.4%2026-06-25
Paintings13$28,049$381,00084.6%2025-06-12
Works on Paper54$21,899†‡$232,02990.7%2026-06-25
Sculpture & Installation244$30,164†‡$871,50089.8%2026-07-02
Photography10$17,526$50,32490%2026-06-26
Masterpieces (top of market)82$231,890‡$871,500—2026-07-02

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

Franz West's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (22 lots) median $885 with 86.4% sell-through. Paintings (13 lots) median $28,049, record $381,000. A typical Franz West painting sells for around 32× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 82 lots) the median is $231,890.

Price by size

Prints & Editions

SizeSold lotsTypical range (p25–p75)MedianRecord
small (under 50 cm)9$286–$1,555†$687†$2,460
medium (50–120 cm)8$807–$28,506†$3,680†$32,817

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

Paintings

SizeSold lotsTypical range (p25–p75)MedianRecord
large (over 120 cm)5$48,000–$347,810$81,250$381,000

Works on Paper

SizeSold lotsTypical range (p25–p75)MedianRecord
small (under 50 cm)26$15,037–$22,132†$18,045†$57,141
medium (50–120 cm)15$22,227–$40,620†‡$30,000†‡$68,800

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

Sculpture & Installation

SizeSold lotsTypical range (p25–p75)MedianRecord
small (under 50 cm)13$19,679–$50,079†$25,193†$277,200
medium (50–120 cm)102$13,434–$77,980†‡$35,221†‡$525,000
large (over 120 cm)97$7,800–$158,505$29,962$871,500

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

Photography

SizeSold lotsTypical range (p25–p75)MedianRecord
small (under 50 cm)5$441–$30,240$1,804$40,600

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

Notable results

MediumYearPrice
Sculpture & Installation2017$871,500
Sculpture & Installation2021$525,000
Paintings2023$381,000
Paintings2014$347,810
Works on Paper2021$232,029
Works on Paper2025$95,000
Prints & Editions2021$68,629
Photography2006$50,324

The highest recorded result in each medium. See the full sale history on OpeningBid.

Frequently asked questions

What is a Franz West worth?

Across 711 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Franz West work is $18,045. The median Franz West sculpture sells for $30,164 across 219 lots. The median Franz West work on paper sells for $21,899 across 49 lots. The median Franz West print sells for $885 across 19 lots. Medium (50–120 cm) Franz West sculptures typically sell for $13,434–$77,980 (the middle half of 102 sold lots). Large (over 120 cm) Franz West sculptures typically sell for $7,800–$158,505 (the middle half of 97 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 West sculpture?

Based on 219 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Franz West sculpture is $30,164. 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 West's most expensive sculpture?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Franz West sculpture is $871,500.

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

Based on 49 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Franz West work on paper is $21,899. 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 West's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Franz West work on paper is $232,029.

What is the average price of a Franz West print?

Based on 19 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Franz West print is $885. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

What is Franz West's most expensive print?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Franz West print is $68,629.

What is the average price of a medium Franz West sculpture?

Based on 102 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Franz West sculpture (medium (50–120 cm)) is $35,221, 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 large Franz West sculpture?

Based on 97 sold lots, the median auction price of a large Franz West sculpture (large (over 120 cm)) is $29,962, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

What is Franz West's auction record?

Franz West's auction record is $871,500, set in 2017.

See the full Franz West record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.

View Franz West on OpeningBid →