James Brown
What is James Brown’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 367 auction results for James Brown at 53 houses since 1989. Over the last 24 months the median price was $2,687 including buyer’s premium (middle half $1,417–$4,634, n=45). The auction record is $154,719 for Black and Blue (Violet) II (2022, Sotheby's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Black and Blue (Violet) II | Oil paint | $154,719 | Sotheby's | Feb 2022 |
| 2 | Untitled (enamel and oil on canvas), 1983 | Oil on canvas | $108,614 | Dorotheum | Dec 2021 |
| 3 | Head-Winter, oil, enamel and pencil on canvas with wood and copper nails, 1984 | Pencil | $86,593 | Dorotheum | Jun 2022 |
| 4 | Minotaur, enamel on canvas, 1982 | Enamel on canvas | $77,113 | Dorotheum | May 2023 |
| 5 | Untitled (oil on canvas), 1983 | Painting | $71,902 | Kunsthaus Lempertz | Jun 2019 |
| 6 | Saint Bartolomeo VI, 1984 | Huile, peinture émaillée et crayon gras sur toile | $59,090 | Christie's | Oct 2017 |
| 7 | Sans titre (acrylique sur toile), 1984 | Acrylic paint | $50,806 | Christie's | Jun 2024 |
| 8 | Study for mosaic IV, 1984 | Acrilico su cartone | $49,286 | Blindarte Casa d'Aste | Nov 2022 |
| 9 | Maschere, 1982 | Acrylique et fusain sur toile | $45,061 | Cornette de Saint Cyr (Bonhams) | Dec 2024 |
| 10 | Maschere (No. 7), 1951 | Acrylic paint | $41,049 | Christie's | Jun 2000 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 68 | $18,824 |
| Other | 53 | $5,069 |
| Sculpture | 10 | $4,106 |
| Works on paper | 53 | $2,222 |
| Prints | 32 | $836 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 65 | $17,848 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 87 | $2,986 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 32 | $834 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 367 results from 53 houses · How we compute these figures
James Brown is an American artist with 537 auction lots recorded since 1989, median price $2,993. 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 Brown sold in 2026 for $24,320, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
2 James Brown works are coming to auction (as of 2026-11-02). Follow James Brown free on OpeningBid for sale alerts.
See the full James Brown record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View James Brown on OpeningBid →What is a James Brown work worth?
Across 365 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a James Brown work is $2,993.
The median James Brown painting sells for $9,668 across 88 lots.
The median James Brown print sells for $416 across 81 lots.
The median James Brown work on paper sells for $2,691 across 78 lots.
Medium (50–120 cm) James Brown prints typically sell for $290–$785 (the middle half of 60 sold lots).
Medium (50–120 cm) James Brown paintings typically sell for $1,856–$7,585 (the middle half of 38 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 | 104 | $416†‡ | $32,139 | 77.9% | 2026-07-11 |
| Paintings | 111 | $9,668†‡ | $154,719 | 79.3% | 2026-10-21 |
| Works on Paper | 94 | $2,691†‡ | $21,590 | 83% | 2026-07-02 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 17 | $2,694†‡ | $12,000 | — | 2026-06-30 |
| Photography | 1 | $4,450 | $4,450 | — | 2021-06-01 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 18 | $43,055 | $154,719 | — | 2024-12-05 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
James Brown's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (104 lots) median $416 with 77.9% sell-through. Paintings (111 lots) median $9,668, record $154,719. A typical James Brown painting sells for around 23× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 18 lots) the median is $43,055.
Price by size
Prints & Editions
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 14 | $365–$1,212† | $537† | $2,000 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 60 | $290–$785†‡ | $374†‡ | $32,139 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 7 | $383–$2,885† | $2,225† | $7,167 |
† 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 38 | $1,856–$7,585†‡ | $4,096†‡ | $17,920 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 34 | $13,588–$32,265†‡ | $22,040†‡ | $154,719 |
† 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) | 17 | $318–$777†‡ | $583†‡ | $1,517‡ |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 25 | $2,120–$5,138†‡ | $2,695†‡ | $14,965 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 20 | $4,613–$8,842‡ | $6,581‡ | $21,590 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Sculpture & Installation
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 9 | $1,428–$4,800†‡ | $2,393†‡ | $8,591 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 6 | $1,907–$2,918† | $2,538† | $7,733† |
† 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 2022 | $154,719 |
| Paintings | 2019 | $71,902 |
| Prints & Editions | 2022 | $32,139 |
| Prints & Editions | 2022 | $26,783 |
| Works on Paper | 2023 | $21,590 |
| Works on Paper | 2007 | $20,068 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2005 | $12,000 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2001 | $8,591 |
The highest recorded result in each medium. See the full sale history on OpeningBid.
Frequently asked questions
What is a James Brown worth?
Across 365 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a James Brown work is $2,993. The median James Brown painting sells for $9,668 across 88 lots. The median James Brown print sells for $416 across 81 lots. The median James Brown work on paper sells for $2,691 across 78 lots. Medium (50–120 cm) James Brown prints typically sell for $290–$785 (the middle half of 60 sold lots). Medium (50–120 cm) James Brown paintings typically sell for $1,856–$7,585 (the middle half of 38 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 Brown painting?
Based on 88 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a James Brown painting is $9,668. 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 Brown's most expensive painting?
The highest price recorded at auction for a James Brown painting is $154,719.
What is the average price of a James Brown print?
Based on 81 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a James Brown print is $416. 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 Brown's most expensive print?
The highest price recorded at auction for a James Brown print is $32,139.
What is the average price of a James Brown work on paper?
Based on 78 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a James Brown work on paper is $2,691. 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 Brown's most expensive work on paper?
The highest price recorded at auction for a James Brown work on paper is $21,590.
What is the average price of a medium James Brown print?
Based on 60 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium James Brown print (medium (50–120 cm)) is $374, 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 medium James Brown painting?
Based on 38 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium James Brown painting (medium (50–120 cm)) is $4,096, 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 James Brown's auction record?
James Brown's auction record is $154,719, set in 2022.
See the full James Brown record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View James Brown on OpeningBid →