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

# Franz West (1947–2012)

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

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**

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Untitled (sculpture, styrodur, steel, epoxy resin, lacquer), 2011 | Stainless steel | $871,500 | Christie's | May 2017 |
| 2 | Untitled (Lemur Pink), 2008 | Papier-mâché, styrofoam, acrylic lacquer and metal | $592,200 | Christie's | May 2022 |
| 3 | Onkel-Stuhl (Uncle Chair), 2001 | Woven synthetic textile over steel tubular frame | $525,000 | Christie's | Mar 2021 |
| 4 | Untitled (steel, cardboard, papier-mâché, acrylic and polystyrene), 2012 | Acrylic paint | $487,500 | Christie's | May 2017 |
| 5 | Untitled (Two heads) | Lacquered aluminum, aluminum stands | $461,000 | Phillips | May 2013 |
| 6 | Untitled (acrylic on papier-mâché on metal base), 2007 | Acrylic paint | $444,995 | Phillips | Jun 2019 |
| 7 | Larvae, 2004 | Lacquered aluminium | $424,216 | Phillips | Oct 2014 |
| 8 | Lemure, 2003 | Painted aluminium | $423,404 | Christie's | Mar 2026 |
| 9 | Paukenschlag (Drum Beat), 2009 | Iron | $409,210 | Christie's | Oct 2020 |
| 10 | Untitled (acrylic on papier-mâché and iron base), 2009 | Acrylic paint | $399,000 | Christie's | Jul 2020 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Sculpture | 121 | $78,120 |
| Paintings | 24 | $35,260 |
| Works on paper | 65 | $23,297 |
| Other | 304 | $12,662 |
| Photographs | 7 | $5,549 |
| Prints | 11 | $1,555 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| 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](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


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).

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

## 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

| Category | Lots tracked | Median price | Record price | Sell-through | Last sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prints & Editions | 22 | $885† | $68,629 | 86.4% | 2026-06-25 |
| Paintings | 13 | $28,049 | $381,000 | 84.6% | 2025-06-12 |
| Works on Paper | 54 | $21,899†‡ | $232,029 | 90.7% | 2026-06-25 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 244 | $30,164†‡ | $871,500 | 89.8% | 2026-07-02 |
| Photography | 10 | $17,526 | $50,324 | 90% | 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

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| large (over 120 cm) | 5 | $48,000–$347,810 | $81,250 | $381,000 |

### Works on Paper

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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

| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Sculpture & Installation | 2017 | $871,500 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2021 | $525,000 |
| Paintings | 2023 | $381,000 |
| Paintings | 2014 | $347,810 |
| Works on Paper | 2021 | $232,029 |
| Works on Paper | 2025 | $95,000 |
| Prints & Editions | 2021 | $68,629 |
| Photography | 2006 | $50,324 |

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 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.

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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 West auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/franz-west (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.