> Source: https://www.openingbid.art/artist/james-abbott-mcneill-whistler · updated 2026-11-02

# James Abbott Mcneill Whistler (1834–1903)

## What is James Abbott Mcneill Whistler’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 988 auction results for James Abbott Mcneill Whistler at 60 houses since 1988. Over the last 24 months the median price was $997 including buyer’s premium (middle half $450–$1,560, n=33). The auction record is $1,001,000 for Seascape "Violet and Blue Among the Rollers" (2006, Cottone Auctions). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seascape "Violet and Blue Among the Rollers" | Oil on wood | $1,001,000 | Cottone Auctions | Jul 2006 |
| 2 | View in Venice, Looking toward the Molo, 1834 | Black, yellow and blue chalks on brown paper | $59,699 | Christie's | Jul 2019 |
| 3 | J.H. Woods' Fruit Shop, Chelsea, 1887-1888 | Eau-forte | $47,936 | Ader | May 2014 |

**Top auction records: prints & editions**

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nocturne, from First Venice Set, 1834 | On laid paper, partial Crown and Fleur-de-Lys watermark | $119,700 | Christie's | Oct 2024 |
| 2 | The Dyer | Etching | $100,000 | Grogan & Company | Dec 2009 |
| 3 | Fly Fishing, Saranac Lake, 1889 | Etching | $87,500 | Swann Auction Galleries | Mar 2016 |
| 4 | Draped Figure, reclining, 1834 | With the artist's monogram butterfly in pencil | $50,400 | Christie's | Oct 2024 |
| 5 | Doorway and Vine, 1879-1880 | Etching | $50,000 | Swann Auction Galleries | May 2008 |
| 6 | Nocturne, 1878 | Lithograph | $50,000 | Swann Auction Galleries | Nov 2016 |
| 7 | Yellow House, Lannion, 1834 | Lithographs | $48,977 | Christie's | Sep 2014 |

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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Works on paper | 17 | $5,760 |
| Other | 53 | $1,800 |
| Prints | 694 | $1,500 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Small (under 50 cm) | 684 | $1,528 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 988 results from 60 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


James Abbott Mcneill Whistler is an American artist with 1,199 auction lots recorded since 1988, median price $1,250. 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 James Abbott Mcneill Whistler sold in 2026 for $3,840, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

**2 James Abbott Mcneill Whistler works are coming to auction** (as of 2026-11-02).

- [James Abbott Mcneill Whistler on OpeningBid](https://www.openingbid.art/artist/james-abbott-mcneill-whistler?ref=kg:james-abbott-mcneill-whistler) — follow free in the OpeningBid app for sale alerts.

## What is a James Abbott Mcneill Whistler work worth?

Across 932 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a James Abbott Mcneill Whistler work is $1,250.

The median James Abbott Mcneill Whistler print sells for $1,273 across 900 lots.

The median James Abbott Mcneill Whistler work on paper sells for $10,073 across 13 lots.

The median James Abbott Mcneill Whistler painting sells for $3,607 across 4 lots.

Small (under 50 cm) James Abbott Mcneill Whistler prints typically sell for $711–$2,855 (the middle half of 822 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 | 1,108 | $1,273†‡ | $119,700 | 81.2% | 2026-10-29 |
| Paintings | 4 | $3,607†‡ | $1M | — | 2024-12-12 |
| Works on Paper | 17 | $10,073‡ | $59,699 | 76.5% | 2024-10-23 |
| Photography | 2 | $119† | $178 | — | 2024-02-04 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 49 | $22,500 | $1M | — | 2024-10-23 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

James Abbott Mcneill Whistler's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (1,108 lots) median $1,273 with 81.2% sell-through. Paintings (4 lots) median $3,607, record $1,001,000. A typical James Abbott Mcneill Whistler painting sells for around 2.8× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 49 lots) the median is $22,500.

## Price by size

### Prints & Editions

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 822 | $711–$2,855†‡ | $1,250†‡ | $119,700 |

† 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 13 | $2,938–$25,000‡ | $10,073‡ | $59,699 |

‡ 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 2006 | $1M |
| Prints & Editions | 2024 | $119,700 |
| Prints & Editions | 2009 | $100,000 |
| Works on Paper | 2019 | $59,699 |
| Works on Paper | 2024 | $50,400 |
| Paintings | 2024 | $5,714† |
| Photography | 2010 | $178 |
| Photography | 2024 | $61† |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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 James Abbott Mcneill Whistler worth?

Across 932 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a James Abbott Mcneill Whistler work is $1,250. The median James Abbott Mcneill Whistler print sells for $1,273 across 900 lots. The median James Abbott Mcneill Whistler work on paper sells for $10,073 across 13 lots. The median James Abbott Mcneill Whistler painting sells for $3,607 across 4 lots. Small (under 50 cm) James Abbott Mcneill Whistler prints typically sell for $711–$2,855 (the middle half of 822 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 James Abbott Mcneill Whistler print?

Based on 900 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a James Abbott Mcneill Whistler print is $1,273. 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 James Abbott Mcneill Whistler's most expensive print?

The highest price recorded at auction for a James Abbott Mcneill Whistler print is $119,700.

### What is the average price of a James Abbott Mcneill Whistler work on paper?

Based on 13 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a James Abbott Mcneill Whistler work on paper is $10,073. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is James Abbott Mcneill Whistler's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a James Abbott Mcneill Whistler work on paper is $59,699.

### What is the average price of a small James Abbott Mcneill Whistler print?

Based on 822 sold lots, the median auction price of a small James Abbott Mcneill Whistler print (small (under 50 cm)) is $1,250, 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 small James Abbott Mcneill Whistler work on paper?

Based on 13 sold lots, the median auction price of a small James Abbott Mcneill Whistler work on paper (small (under 50 cm)) is $10,073, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is James Abbott Mcneill Whistler's auction record?

James Abbott Mcneill Whistler's auction record is $1,001,000, set in 2006.

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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, “James Abbott Mcneill Whistler auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/james-abbott-mcneill-whistler (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.