Gillian Ayres (1930–2018)
What is Gillian Ayres’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 153 auction results for Gillian Ayres at 18 houses since 2006. Over the last 24 months the median price was $6,024 including buyer’s premium (middle half $2,287–$16,928, n=26). The auction record is $51,624 for Untitled (2025, Bonhams). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Untitled, 1930 | Painting | $51,624 | Bonhams | Oct 2025 |
| 2 | Tachiste Painting, 1930 | Painting | $48,389 | Bonhams | Jun 2015 |
| 3 | High-light Night, 2003 | Oil paint | $47,292 | Christie's | Mar 2026 |
| 4 | Untitled (oil on board) | Oil on board | $41,471 | Sotheby's | Jul 2007 |
| 5 | Calliope, 1986 | Oil on canvas | $40,320 | Christie's | Jul 2022 |
| 6 | Untitled | — | $37,761 | Sotheby's | Dec 2007 |
| 7 | Anadyomene, 1983 | Oil paint | $37,269 | Christie's | Oct 2025 |
| 8 | Papagena, 1983 | Oil paint | $37,269 | Christie's | Oct 2025 |
| 9 | Orpheus and Eurydice, 1983 | Oil paint | $33,780 | Christie's | Mar 2026 |
| 10 | in all our cynthia's shining spheres | — | $32,482 | Sotheby's | Mar 2008 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 49 | $16,941 |
| Works on paper | 7 | $6,368 |
| Other | 15 | $3,437 |
| Prints | 50 | $1,769 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 24 | $18,235 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 20 | $7,724 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 71 | $2,581 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 153 results from 18 houses · How we compute these figures
Gillian Ayres is a British (modern) artist with 181 auction lots recorded since 2006, median price $3,333. 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 Gillian Ayres sold in 2026 for $17,772, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
See the full Gillian Ayres record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Gillian Ayres on OpeningBid →What is a Gillian Ayres work worth?
Across 153 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Gillian Ayres work is $3,333.
The median Gillian Ayres print sells for $1,769 across 78 lots.
The median Gillian Ayres painting sells for $15,241 across 54 lots.
The median Gillian Ayres work on paper sells for $3,367 across 7 lots.
Medium (50–120 cm) Gillian Ayres prints typically sell for $1,588–$2,592 (the middle half of 64 sold lots).
Medium (50–120 cm) Gillian Ayres paintings typically sell for $5,090–$16,718 (the middle half of 22 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 | 83 | $1,769†‡ | $12,978 | 94% | 2026-06-11 |
| Paintings | 62 | $15,241†‡ | $51,624 | 87.1% | 2026-03-19 |
| Works on Paper | 7 | $3,367 | $11,858 | — | 2026-03-19 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 8 | $40,896 | $51,624 | — | 2026-03-19 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Gillian Ayres's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (83 lots) median $1,769 with 94% sell-through. Paintings (62 lots) median $15,241, record $51,624. A typical Gillian Ayres painting sells for around 8.6× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 8 lots) the median is $40,896.
Price by size
Prints & Editions
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 7 | $416–$1,952 | $490 | $3,153 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 64 | $1,588–$2,592†‡ | $1,769†‡ | $12,978 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 7 | $1,720–$4,934‡ | $2,911‡ | $5,929 |
† 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) | 13 | $8,146–$17,171†‡ | $11,167†‡ | $19,510† |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 22 | $5,090–$16,718†‡ | $11,360†‡ | $31,351 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 19 | $16,186–$37,269 | $23,048 | $51,624 |
† 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 7 | $3,113–$9,118 | $3,367 | $11,858 |
Size is the work's longest edge. Cells appear only with at least 5 sold lots.
Notable results
| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 2025 | $51,624 |
| Paintings | 2015 | $48,389 |
| Prints & Editions | 2024 | $12,978 |
| Works on Paper | 2025 | $11,858 |
| Works on Paper | 2026 | $10,134 |
| Prints & Editions | 2025 | $6,617‡ |
‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
The highest recorded result in each medium. See the full sale history on OpeningBid.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Gillian Ayres worth?
Across 153 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Gillian Ayres work is $3,333. The median Gillian Ayres print sells for $1,769 across 78 lots. The median Gillian Ayres painting sells for $15,241 across 54 lots. The median Gillian Ayres work on paper sells for $3,367 across 7 lots. Medium (50–120 cm) Gillian Ayres prints typically sell for $1,588–$2,592 (the middle half of 64 sold lots). Medium (50–120 cm) Gillian Ayres paintings typically sell for $5,090–$16,718 (the middle half of 22 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 Gillian Ayres print?
Based on 78 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Gillian Ayres print is $1,769. 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 Gillian Ayres's most expensive print?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Gillian Ayres print is $12,978.
What is the average price of a Gillian Ayres painting?
Based on 54 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Gillian Ayres painting is $15,241. 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 Gillian Ayres's most expensive painting?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Gillian Ayres painting is $51,624.
What is the average price of a medium Gillian Ayres print?
Based on 64 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Gillian Ayres print (medium (50–120 cm)) is $1,769, 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 Gillian Ayres painting?
Based on 22 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Gillian Ayres painting (medium (50–120 cm)) is $11,360, 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 Gillian Ayres's auction record?
Gillian Ayres's auction record is $51,624, set in 2025.
See the full Gillian Ayres record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Gillian Ayres on OpeningBid →