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

# Helen Frankenthaler (1928–2011)

## What is Helen Frankenthaler’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 835 auction results for Helen Frankenthaler at 47 houses since 1993. Over the last 24 months the median price was $18,485 including buyer’s premium (middle half $6,369–$131,675, n=96). The auction record is $7,895,300 for Royal Fireworks (2020, Sotheby's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Royal Fireworks, 1975 | Acrylic paint | $7,895,300 | Sotheby's | Jun 2020 |
| 2 | Cape Orange, 1964 | Acrylic on canvas | $7,257,000 | Sotheby's | May 2026 |
| 3 | Dream Decision, 1976 | Acrylic paint | $5,894,100 | Sotheby's | Nov 2021 |
| 4 | Circe, 1974 | Acrylic paint | $4,769,000 | Sotheby's | May 2022 |
| 5 | Basin, 1979 | Acrylic paint | $4,527,000 | Christie's | May 2025 |
| 6 | Elberta, 1975 | Acrylic paint | $4,285,000 | Christie's | May 2024 |
| 7 | Off White Square, 1973 | Acrylic paint | $3,720,500 | Phillips | Dec 2020 |
| 8 | Acres, 1959 | Oil paint | $3,690,000 | Phillips | May 2024 |
| 9 | February's Turn, 1979 | Acrylic paint | $3,540,000 | Christie's | May 2022 |
| 10 | Black Touch, 1965 | Acrylic on canvas | $3,448,000 | Sotheby's | May 2023 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 194 | $480,700 |
| Sculpture | 6 | $31,232 |
| Works on paper | 46 | $20,785 |
| Other | 59 | $16,250 |
| Prints | 471 | $6,250 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 170 | $608,650 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 129 | $8,125 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 449 | $7,250 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 835 results from 47 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Helen Frankenthaler is an American artist with 956 auction lots recorded since 1993, median price $10,000. 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 Helen Frankenthaler sold in 2026 for $48,640, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

**17 Helen Frankenthaler works are coming to auction** (as of 2026-11-02).

- [Helen Frankenthaler on OpeningBid](https://www.openingbid.art/artist/helen-frankenthaler?ref=kg:helen-frankenthaler) — follow free in the OpeningBid app for sale alerts.

## What is a Helen Frankenthaler work worth?

Across 831 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Helen Frankenthaler work is $10,000.

The median Helen Frankenthaler print sells for $6,000 across 527 lots.

The median Helen Frankenthaler painting sells for $482,600 across 199 lots.

The median Helen Frankenthaler work on paper sells for $52,710 across 38 lots.

Medium (50–120 cm) Helen Frankenthaler prints typically sell for $3,836–$10,635 (the middle half of 404 sold lots).

Large (over 120 cm) Helen Frankenthaler paintings typically sell for $458,150–$2,105,250 (the middle half of 130 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 | 571 | $6,000†‡ | $384,000 | 92.3% | 2026-10-14 |
| Paintings | 207 | $482,600† | $7.9M | 96.1% | 2026-07-02 |
| Works on Paper | 40 | $52,710 | $504,000 | 95% | 2026-10-08 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2 | $1,920 | $1,920 | 50% | 2006-02-09 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 194 | $509,625† | $7.9M | — | 2026-07-02 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

Helen Frankenthaler's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (571 lots) median $6,000 with 92.3% sell-through. Paintings (207 lots) median $482,600, record $7,895,300. A typical Helen Frankenthaler painting sells for around 80× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 194 lots) the median is $509,625.

## Price by size

### Prints & Editions

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 81 | $3,120–$8,287†‡ | $5,080†‡ | $35,914 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 404 | $3,836–$10,635†‡ | $5,988†‡ | $252,000 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 31 | $20,785–$109,775† | $50,000† | $384,000 |

† 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) | 29 | $24,130–$57,500 | $47,880 | $163,800 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 38 | $96,875–$304,200† | $176,400† | $825,500 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 130 | $458,150–$2.1M | $849,300 | $7.9M |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

### Works on Paper

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 11 | $5,525–$50,600 | $20,000 | $75,600 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 23 | $57,500–$170,150 | $87,500 | $504,000 |

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

## Notable results

| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 2020 | $7.9M |
| Paintings | 2026 | $7.3M |
| Works on Paper | 2022 | $504,000 |
| Prints & Editions | 2024 | $384,000 |
| Works on Paper | 2023 | $327,600 |
| Prints & Editions | 2022 | $252,000 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2006 | $1,920 |

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 Helen Frankenthaler worth?

Across 831 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Helen Frankenthaler work is $10,000. The median Helen Frankenthaler print sells for $6,000 across 527 lots. The median Helen Frankenthaler painting sells for $482,600 across 199 lots. The median Helen Frankenthaler work on paper sells for $52,710 across 38 lots. Medium (50–120 cm) Helen Frankenthaler prints typically sell for $3,836–$10,635 (the middle half of 404 sold lots). Large (over 120 cm) Helen Frankenthaler paintings typically sell for $458,150–$2,105,250 (the middle half of 130 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 Helen Frankenthaler print?

Based on 527 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Helen Frankenthaler print is $6,000. 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 Helen Frankenthaler's most expensive print?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Helen Frankenthaler print is $384,000.

### What is the average price of a Helen Frankenthaler painting?

Based on 199 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Helen Frankenthaler painting is $482,600. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is Helen Frankenthaler's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Helen Frankenthaler painting is $7,895,300.

### What is the average price of a Helen Frankenthaler work on paper?

Based on 38 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Helen Frankenthaler work on paper is $52,710.

### What is Helen Frankenthaler's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Helen Frankenthaler work on paper is $504,000.

### What is the average price of a medium Helen Frankenthaler print?

Based on 404 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Helen Frankenthaler print (medium (50–120 cm)) is $5,988, 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 Helen Frankenthaler painting?

Based on 130 sold lots, the median auction price of a large Helen Frankenthaler painting (large (over 120 cm)) is $849,300, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

### What is Helen Frankenthaler's auction record?

Helen Frankenthaler's auction record is $7,895,300, 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, “Helen Frankenthaler auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/helen-frankenthaler (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.