James Brooks (1906–1992)
What is James Brooks’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 95 auction results for James Brooks at 17 houses since 1999. Over the last 24 months the median price was $5,715 including buyer’s premium (middle half $3,840–$23,040, n=13). The auction record is $187,500 for M-51 (2018, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | M-51, 1951 | Oil paint | $187,500 | Christie's | Nov 2018 |
| 2 | Karrig, 1956 | Oil on canvas | $153,600 | Sotheby's | Jul 2026 |
| 3 | Untitled, 1952 | Oil on canvas | $114,300 | Sotheby's | Sep 2023 |
| 4 | Untitled (oil on canvas), 1950 | Oil paint | $93,750 | Christie's | Sep 2019 |
| 5 | Q, oil on canvas, 1954 | Painting | $78,000 | Wright | Dec 2007 |
| 6 | Noran, 1967 | Acrylic paint | $69,850 | Phillips | May 2023 |
| 7 | Untitled (oil on canvas), 1950 | Oil on canvas | $69,300 | Christie's | Jul 2022 |
| 8 | Quedon, 1959 | Oil paint | $55,000 | Christie's | May 2008 |
| 9 | Q-1953, 1953 | Oil paint | $52,500 | Christie's | Sep 2019 |
| 10 | Sanford, 1964 | Oil paint | $52,500 | Christie's | Dec 2020 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 37 | $35,000 |
| Works on paper | 13 | $2,200 |
| Prints | 33 | $1,080 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 19 | $37,500 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 12 | $3,513 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 48 | $1,500 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 95 results from 17 houses · How we compute these figures
James Brooks is an American artist with 119 auction lots recorded since 1999, median price $3,750. 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 Brooks sold in 2026 for $3,840, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
See the full James Brooks record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View James Brooks on OpeningBid →What is a James Brooks work worth?
Across 93 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a James Brooks work is $3,750.
The median James Brooks painting sells for $35,000 across 40 lots.
The median James Brooks print sells for $1,000 across 33 lots.
The median James Brooks work on paper sells for $2,200 across 9 lots.
Medium (50–120 cm) James Brooks prints typically sell for $788–$1,391 (the middle half of 32 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 | 41 | $1,000† | $2,805 | 80.5% | 2025-05-22 |
| Paintings | 46 | $35,000† | $187,500 | 87% | 2026-10-01 |
| Works on Paper | 10 | $2,200 | $6,300 | 90% | 2025-07-31 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 5 | $114,300 | $187,500 | — | 2026-07-07 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.
James Brooks's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (41 lots) median $1,000 with 80.5% sell-through. Paintings (46 lots) median $35,000, record $187,500. A typical James Brooks painting sells for around 35× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 5 lots) the median is $114,300.
Price by size
Prints & Editions
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 32 | $788–$1,391† | $1,040† | $2,805 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.
Paintings
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 6 | $3,256–$10,035† | $4,496† | $11,716 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 13 | $8,750–$69,300 | $40,000 | $114,300 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 18 | $24,900–$51,875 | $37,870 | $187,500 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.
Works on Paper
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 6 | $1,303–$3,362 | $1,784 | $6,300 |
Size is the work's longest edge. Cells appear only with at least 5 sold lots.
Notable results
| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 2018 | $187,500 |
| Paintings | 2026 | $153,600 |
| Works on Paper | 2022 | $6,300 |
| Works on Paper | 2025 | $4,972 |
| Prints & Editions | 2022 | $2,805 |
| Prints & Editions | 2022 | $2,550 |
The highest recorded result in each medium. See the full sale history on OpeningBid.
Frequently asked questions
What is a James Brooks worth?
Across 93 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a James Brooks work is $3,750. The median James Brooks painting sells for $35,000 across 40 lots. The median James Brooks print sells for $1,000 across 33 lots. The median James Brooks work on paper sells for $2,200 across 9 lots. Medium (50–120 cm) James Brooks prints typically sell for $788–$1,391 (the middle half of 32 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 Brooks painting?
Based on 40 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a James Brooks painting is $35,000. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.
What is James Brooks's most expensive painting?
The highest price recorded at auction for a James Brooks painting is $187,500.
What is the average price of a James Brooks print?
Based on 33 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a James Brooks print is $1,000. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.
What is James Brooks's most expensive print?
The highest price recorded at auction for a James Brooks print is $2,805.
What is the average price of a medium James Brooks print?
Based on 32 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium James Brooks print (medium (50–120 cm)) is $1,040, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.
What is the average price of a large James Brooks painting?
Based on 18 sold lots, the median auction price of a large James Brooks painting (large (over 120 cm)) is $37,870, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
What is James Brooks's auction record?
James Brooks's auction record is $187,500, set in 2018.
See the full James Brooks record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View James Brooks on OpeningBid →