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

# Ilya Kabakov (1933–2023)

## What is Ilya Kabakov’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 86 auction results for Ilya Kabakov at 21 houses since 2004. Over the last 24 months the median price was $5,748 including buyer’s premium (middle half $4,198–$5,748, n=7). The auction record is $1,558,124 for Holidays No. 6 (2013, Sotheby's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Holidays No. 6 | Oil, collage and mixed media on masonite in artist's frame | $1,558,124 | Sotheby's | Nov 2013 |
| 2 | Sobakin, 1980 | Enamel | $660,941 | Phillips | Feb 2016 |
| 3 | Empty Painting, 1985 | Oil and enamel on masonite | $569,060 | Sotheby's | Jun 2021 |
| 4 | The Complete Album FLYING KOMAROV containing 32 original drawings, 1978 | — | $445,000 | Sotheby's | Apr 2008 |
| 5 | Painting No. 11 (Under the Snow), 2005 | Oil on canvas, in artist's frame | $398,523 | Sotheby's | Oct 2021 |
| 6 | The Flying Komarov – The Complete Album of 32 Original Drawings | Ink on paper | $285,113 | Sotheby's | Dec 2021 |
| 7 | In the Park 1972, 2002 | Oil paint | $233,326 | Phillips | Mar 2018 |
| 8 | In The Store, 1991 | Oil on canvas | $201,717 | Sotheby's | Nov 2021 |
| 9 | The Four Paintings about Sun #3, 2013 | Painting | $179,200 | Sotheby's | Nov 2019 |
| 10 | The Paintings about Sun, #1, 2013 | Oil paint | $115,185 | Phillips | Oct 2020 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 8 | $217,522 |
| Works on paper | 14 | $7,753 |
| Other | 19 | $6,585 |
| Prints | 11 | $540 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 9 | $233,326 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 23 | $5,748 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 18 | $5,748 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 86 results from 21 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Ilya Kabakov is an Ukrainian artist with 135 auction lots recorded since 1998, median price $5,816. 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 Ilya Kabakov sold in 2026 for $15,360, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Ilya Kabakov work worth?

Across 83 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Ilya Kabakov work is $5,816.

The median Ilya Kabakov work on paper sells for $7,812 across 22 lots.

The median Ilya Kabakov print sells for $540 across 19 lots.

The median Ilya Kabakov painting sells for $201,717 across 10 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 | $540†‡ | $6,708 | 86.4% | 2026-05-29 |
| Paintings | 14 | $201,717 | $660,941 | 71.4% | 2022-05-13 |
| Works on Paper | 27 | $7,812‡ | $1.6M | 81.5% | 2024-09-19 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 15 | $445,000‡ | $1.6M | — | 2021-12-01 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

Ilya Kabakov's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (22 lots) median $540 with 86.4% sell-through. Paintings (14 lots) median $201,717, record $660,941. A typical Ilya Kabakov painting sells for around 373× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 15 lots) the median is $445,000.

## Price by size

### Prints & Editions

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 9 | $467–$1,125†‡ | $540†‡ | $1,665 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 9 | $525–$2,648 | $908 | $6,708 |

† 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| large (over 120 cm) | 7 | $190,459–$483,791 | $233,326 | $660,941 |

### Works on Paper

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 17 | $5,146–$8,750‡ | $5,883‡ | $285,113 |

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

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

## Notable results

| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Works on Paper | 2013 | $1.6M |
| Paintings | 2016 | $660,941 |
| Paintings | 2021 | $569,060 |
| Works on Paper | 2021 | $285,113 |
| Prints & Editions | 2023 | $6,708 |
| Prints & Editions | 2016 | $3,000 |

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 Ilya Kabakov worth?

Across 83 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Ilya Kabakov work is $5,816. The median Ilya Kabakov work on paper sells for $7,812 across 22 lots. The median Ilya Kabakov print sells for $540 across 19 lots. The median Ilya Kabakov painting sells for $201,717 across 10 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 Ilya Kabakov work on paper?

Based on 22 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Ilya Kabakov work on paper is $7,812. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Ilya Kabakov's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Ilya Kabakov work on paper is $1,558,124.

### What is the average price of a Ilya Kabakov print?

Based on 19 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Ilya Kabakov print is $540. 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 Ilya Kabakov's most expensive print?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Ilya Kabakov print is $6,708.

### What is the average price of a Ilya Kabakov painting?

Based on 10 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Ilya Kabakov painting is $201,717.

### What is Ilya Kabakov's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Ilya Kabakov painting is $660,941.

### What is the average price of a small Ilya Kabakov work on paper?

Based on 17 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Ilya Kabakov work on paper (small (under 50 cm)) is $5,883, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Ilya Kabakov's auction record?

Ilya Kabakov's auction record is $1,558,124, set in 2013.

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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, “Ilya Kabakov auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/ilya-kabakov (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.