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

# Imogen Cunningham (1883–1976)

## What is Imogen Cunningham’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 289 auction results for Imogen Cunningham at 33 houses since 1992. Over the last 24 months the median price was $4,064 including buyer’s premium (middle half $971–$7,344, n=31). The auction record is $361,000 for 'tower of jewels' (2007, Sotheby's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 'tower of jewels' | — | $361,000 | Sotheby's | Oct 2007 |
| 2 | Calla, 1331 | Cartes-de-visite | $350,000 | Phillips | Apr 2019 |
| 3 | 'AMPHITHEATRE NO. 2' | — | $348,000 | Sotheby's | Apr 2007 |
| 4 | 'formen einer blume' (magnolia blossom) | — | $301,000 | Sotheby's | Oct 2007 |
| 5 | Two Callas, 1925-1929 | Silver | $292,100 | John Moran Auctioneers | Dec 2023 |
| 6 | Triangles, circa 1929 | Gelatin silver print | $189,000 | Sotheby's | Apr 2021 |
| 7 | Calla with leaf | Cartes-de-visite | $110,500 | Phillips | Apr 2013 |
| 8 | Magnolia Blossom ('Formen Einer Blume') | Cartes-de-visite | $100,000 | Phillips | Apr 2019 |

**Top auction records: prints & editions**

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Magnolia Blossom, 1925 | Cartes-de-visite | $162,500 | Phillips | Apr 2017 |
| 2 | Magnolia Blossom, 1883 | Gelatin silver contact print | $125,000 | Christie's | Oct 2018 |

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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Other | 31 | $5,500 |
| Photographs | 222 | $4,032 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Small (under 50 cm) | 234 | $4,250 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 289 results from 33 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Imogen Cunningham is an American artist with 460 auction lots recorded since 1992, median price $3,840. 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 Imogen Cunningham sold in 2026 for $4,064, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Imogen Cunningham work worth?

Across 285 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Imogen Cunningham work is $3,840.

The median Imogen Cunningham photograph sells for $3,840 across 262 lots.

The median Imogen Cunningham print sells for $52,032 across 2 lots.

Small (under 50 cm) Imogen Cunningham photographs typically sell for $1,500–$8,500 (the middle half of 245 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 | 3 | $52,032 | $100,000 | 66.7% | 2026-10-15 |
| Photography | 336 | $3,840†‡ | $350,000 | 78% | 2026-10-08 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 16 | $122,500 | $361,000 | — | 2023-12-06 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

## Price by size

### Photography

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 245 | $1,500–$8,500†‡ | $4,000†‡ | $350,000 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

‡ 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Photography | 2019 | $350,000 |
| Photography | 2023 | $292,100 |
| Prints & Editions | 2018 | $100,000 |
| Prints & Editions | 2026 | $4,064 |

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 Imogen Cunningham worth?

Across 285 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Imogen Cunningham work is $3,840. The median Imogen Cunningham photograph sells for $3,840 across 262 lots. The median Imogen Cunningham print sells for $52,032 across 2 lots. Small (under 50 cm) Imogen Cunningham photographs typically sell for $1,500–$8,500 (the middle half of 245 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 Imogen Cunningham photograph?

Based on 262 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Imogen Cunningham photograph is $3,840. 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 Imogen Cunningham's most expensive photograph?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Imogen Cunningham photograph is $350,000.

### What is the average price of a small Imogen Cunningham photograph?

Based on 245 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Imogen Cunningham photograph (small (under 50 cm)) is $4,000, 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 Imogen Cunningham's auction record?

Imogen Cunningham's auction record is $361,000, set in 2007.

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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, “Imogen Cunningham auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/imogen-cunningham (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.