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

# Glenn Ligon (b. 1960)

## What is Glenn Ligon’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 251 auction results for Glenn Ligon at 15 houses since 2000. Over the last 24 months the median price was $33,020 including buyer’s premium (middle half $5,338–$134,550, n=36). The auction record is $3,408,000 for Stranger #37 (2020, Sotheby's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stranger #37, 2008 | Oil paint | $3,408,000 | Sotheby's | Dec 2020 |
| 2 | Untitled (I Lost My Voice I Found My Voice), 1991 | Graphite | $3,177,000 | Sotheby's | Nov 2023 |
| 3 | Stranger #37, 2008 | Oil paint | $2,909,000 | Christie's | Nov 2015 |
| 4 | Untitled (I Feel Most Colored When I Am Thrown Against a Sharp White Background), 1990 | Oil stick, gesso and graphite on panel | $2,833,000 | Christie's | May 2025 |
| 5 | Untitled #1 (Second Version), 1990 | Graphite | $2,629,000 | Christie's | May 2014 |
| 6 | Stranger #45, 2011 | Canvas | $2,056,341 | Phillips | Feb 2016 |
| 7 | Stranger #36, 2008 | Oil stick, coal dust and gesso on canvas laid down on panel | $1,925,000 | Christie's | May 2016 |
| 8 | Stranger #67, 2012 | Painting | $1,784,500 | Phillips | Dec 2020 |

**Top auction records: prints & editions**

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Double America 2, 2014 | Neon and paint | $3,125,000 | Christie's | Nov 2025 |
| 2 | Double America 2, 2014 | Neon and paint | $2,702,000 | Phillips | May 2026 |

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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 64 | $253,359 |
| Other | 46 | $47,880 |
| Works on paper | 42 | $27,890 |
| Prints | 81 | $5,066 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 55 | $362,500 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 95 | $35,000 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 83 | $13,938 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 251 results from 15 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Glenn Ligon is an American artist with 288 auction lots recorded since 2000, median price $35,560. Some sold prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium; they are marked on this page.

A work by Glenn Ligon sold in 2026 for $254,718, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

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

- [Glenn Ligon on OpeningBid](https://www.openingbid.art/artist/glenn-ligon?ref=kg:glenn-ligon) — follow free in the OpeningBid app for sale alerts.

## What is a Glenn Ligon work worth?

Across 251 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Glenn Ligon work is $35,560.

The median Glenn Ligon print sells for $8,125 across 103 lots.

The median Glenn Ligon painting sells for $151,200 across 92 lots.

The median Glenn Ligon work on paper sells for $30,015 across 22 lots.

Medium (50–120 cm) Glenn Ligon prints typically sell for $4,221–$29,860 (the middle half of 46 sold lots).

Small (under 50 cm) Glenn Ligon prints typically sell for $2,450–$8,438 (the middle half of 43 sold lots).

Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

## Price breakdown by category

| Category | Lots tracked | Median price | Record price | Sell-through | Last sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prints & Editions | 116 | $8,125† | $564,500 | 88.8% | 2026-10-22 |
| Paintings | 97 | $151,200 | $3.4M | 94.8% | 2026-10-14 |
| Works on Paper | 26 | $30,015 | $2.8M | 84.6% | 2026-04-16 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 7 | $240,000 | $509,000 | 85.7% | 2026-10-14 |
| Photography | 8 | $11,520 | $157,500 | 87.5% | 2026-07-07 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 84 | $262,782 | $3.4M | — | 2026-10-14 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

Glenn Ligon's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (116 lots) median $8,125 with 88.8% sell-through. Paintings (97 lots) median $151,200, record $3,408,000. A typical Glenn Ligon painting sells for around 19× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 84 lots) the median is $262,782.

## Price by size

### Prints & Editions

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 43 | $2,450–$8,438† | $4,000† | $56,250 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 46 | $4,221–$29,860 | $11,593 | $126,000 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 11 | $176,854–$321,300 | $220,227 | $564,500 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

### Paintings

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 23 | $26,370–$43,750 | $28,380 | $130,392 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 39 | $61,125–$216,634 | $137,500 | $562,500 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 30 | $355,225–$1.5M | $788,750 | $3.4M |

### Works on Paper

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 13 | $19,729–$32,760 | $27,940 | $54,950 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 6 | $16,673–$103,308 | $51,615 | $214,928 |

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

## Notable results

| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 2020 | $3.4M |
| Paintings | 2023 | $3.2M |
| Works on Paper | 2025 | $2.8M |
| Prints & Editions | 2018 | $564,500 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2013 | $509,000 |
| Prints & Editions | 2024 | $352,800 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2013 | $298,652 |
| Works on Paper | 2015 | $214,928 |

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 Glenn Ligon worth?

Across 251 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Glenn Ligon work is $35,560. The median Glenn Ligon print sells for $8,125 across 103 lots. The median Glenn Ligon painting sells for $151,200 across 92 lots. The median Glenn Ligon work on paper sells for $30,015 across 22 lots. Medium (50–120 cm) Glenn Ligon prints typically sell for $4,221–$29,860 (the middle half of 46 sold lots). Small (under 50 cm) Glenn Ligon prints typically sell for $2,450–$8,438 (the middle half of 43 sold lots). Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is the average price of a Glenn Ligon print?

Based on 103 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Glenn Ligon print is $8,125. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is Glenn Ligon's most expensive print?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Glenn Ligon print is $564,500.

### What is the average price of a Glenn Ligon painting?

Based on 92 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Glenn Ligon painting is $151,200.

### What is Glenn Ligon's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Glenn Ligon painting is $3,408,000.

### What is the average price of a Glenn Ligon work on paper?

Based on 22 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Glenn Ligon work on paper is $30,015.

### What is Glenn Ligon's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Glenn Ligon work on paper is $2,833,000.

### What is the average price of a medium Glenn Ligon print?

Based on 46 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Glenn Ligon print (medium (50–120 cm)) is $11,593, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

### What is the average price of a small Glenn Ligon print?

Based on 43 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Glenn Ligon print (small (under 50 cm)) is $4,000, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is Glenn Ligon's auction record?

Glenn Ligon's auction record is $3,408,000, set in 2020.

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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, “Glenn Ligon auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/glenn-ligon (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.