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

# Gene Davis (1920–1985)

## What is Gene Davis’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 344 auction results for Gene Davis at 35 houses since 1991. Over the last 24 months the median price was $2,286 including buyer’s premium (middle half $1,270–$10,975, n=51). The auction record is $201,600 for Flamingo (2021, Sotheby's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Flamingo, 1970 | Acrylic on canvas, in 5 parts | $201,600 | Sotheby's | Mar 2021 |
| 2 | Peeping Wall II, 1961 | Canvas | $192,000 | Sotheby's | Feb 2026 |
| 3 | Flamingos, 1970 | Acrylic on canvas | $189,000 | Sotheby's | May 2021 |
| 4 | Black Widow, 1962 | Acrylic paint | $151,200 | Christie's | Sep 2023 |
| 5 | Buttercup | Acrylic on canvas | $125,000 | Sotheby's | Nov 2016 |
| 6 | Untitled (acrylic on canvas), 1965 | Acrylic | $113,775 | Bonhams | May 2022 |
| 7 | Hive, 1969 | Acrylic on canvas | $113,400 | Sotheby's | Mar 2021 |
| 8 | Tulip, 1979 | Acrylic and graphite on canvas | $107,100 | Sotheby's | Nov 2021 |
| 9 | ORANGE TWITTER, 1966 | Acrylic paint | $104,500 | Christie's | May 2011 |
| 10 | Diving Board, 1977 | Acrylic on canvas | $95,250 | Sotheby's | May 2024 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 121 | $23,750 |
| Other | 9 | $5,000 |
| Works on paper | 7 | $1,764 |
| Prints | 116 | $1,270 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 73 | $35,000 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 28 | $2,706 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 138 | $1,645 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 344 results from 35 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Gene Davis is an American artist with 398 auction lots recorded since 1991, median price $2,060. 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 Gene Davis sold in 2026 for $40,960, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

**5 Gene Davis works are coming to auction** (as of 2026-11-02).

- [Gene Davis on OpeningBid](https://www.openingbid.art/artist/gene-davis?ref=kg:gene-davis) — follow free in the OpeningBid app for sale alerts.

## What is a Gene Davis work worth?

Across 331 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Gene Davis work is $2,060.

The median Gene Davis print sells for $1,420 across 164 lots.

The median Gene Davis painting sells for $32,000 across 93 lots.

The median Gene Davis work on paper sells for $1,922 across 16 lots.

Medium (50–120 cm) Gene Davis prints typically sell for $853–$2,250 (the middle half of 132 sold lots).

Large (over 120 cm) Gene Davis paintings typically sell for $31,560–$86,750 (the middle half of 56 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 | 173 | $1,420†‡ | $15,120 | 94.8% | 2026-10-14 |
| Paintings | 100 | $32,000 | $201,600 | 93% | 2026-09-18 |
| Works on Paper | 19 | $1,922† | $107,100 | 84.2% | 2026-04-23 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 18 | $104,396 | $201,600 | — | 2026-02-27 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

Gene Davis's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (173 lots) median $1,420 with 94.8% sell-through. Paintings (100 lots) median $32,000, record $201,600. A typical Gene Davis painting sells for around 23× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 18 lots) the median is $104,396.

## Price by size

### Prints & Editions

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 7 | $690–$1,236 | $750 | $3,187 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 132 | $853–$2,250†‡ | $1,380†‡ | $15,120 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 18 | $1,713–$4,356† | $2,924† | $13,970 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

### Paintings

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 11 | $5,312–$13,018 | $7,500 | $30,000 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 24 | $4,144–$23,984 | $9,885 | $68,500 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 56 | $31,560–$86,750 | $53,323 | $201,600 |

### Works on Paper

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 11 | $1,166–$2,706† | $1,764† | $3,500 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

## Notable results

| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 2021 | $201,600 |
| Paintings | 2026 | $192,000 |
| Works on Paper | 2021 | $107,100 |
| Works on Paper | 2010 | $27,450 |
| Prints & Editions | 2021 | $15,120 |
| Prints & Editions | 2026 | $13,970 |

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 Gene Davis worth?

Across 331 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Gene Davis work is $2,060. The median Gene Davis print sells for $1,420 across 164 lots. The median Gene Davis painting sells for $32,000 across 93 lots. The median Gene Davis work on paper sells for $1,922 across 16 lots. Medium (50–120 cm) Gene Davis prints typically sell for $853–$2,250 (the middle half of 132 sold lots). Large (over 120 cm) Gene Davis paintings typically sell for $31,560–$86,750 (the middle half of 56 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 Gene Davis print?

Based on 164 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Gene Davis print is $1,420. 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 Gene Davis's most expensive print?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Gene Davis print is $15,120.

### What is the average price of a Gene Davis painting?

Based on 93 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Gene Davis painting is $32,000.

### What is Gene Davis's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Gene Davis painting is $201,600.

### What is the average price of a Gene Davis work on paper?

Based on 16 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Gene Davis work on paper is $1,922. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is Gene Davis's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Gene Davis work on paper is $107,100.

### What is the average price of a medium Gene Davis print?

Based on 132 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Gene Davis print (medium (50–120 cm)) is $1,380, 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 Gene Davis painting?

Based on 56 sold lots, the median auction price of a large Gene Davis painting (large (over 120 cm)) is $53,323, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

### What is Gene Davis's auction record?

Gene Davis's auction record is $201,600, set in 2021.

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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, “Gene Davis auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/gene-davis (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.