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

# James Drinkwater (b. 1983)

## What is James Drinkwater’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 23 auction results for James Drinkwater at 4 houses since 2023. Over the last 24 months the median price was $3,747 including buyer’s premium (middle half $2,209–$8,531, n=18). The auction record is $63,367 for Bathers in Paris, Mother and Child (2026, Menzies Art Brands). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bathers in Paris, Mother and Child, 2015 | Oil on linen | $63,367 | Menzies Art Brands | May 2026 |
| 2 | Brilliant Flags Down Endless Lanes, 2015 | Oil on linen | $32,459 | Menzies Art Brands | Nov 2025 |
| 3 | James Drinkwater, (b. 1983), Private Garden Antibes, 2016, mixed media on board, 140 x 120 cm, 2016 | Mixed media on board | $12,044 | Shapiro Auctioneers | May 2026 |
| 4 | From the Balcony - hotel Le Refuge, 2016 | Mixed media on board | $11,909 | Lawsons Auctioneers | Feb 2025 |
| 5 | James Drinkwater, (b. 1983), We two on this Southern Beach, 2016, mixed media on board, 180 x 120 cm, 2016 | Mixed media on board | $8,645 | Shapiro Auctioneers | Feb 2026 |
| 6 | The Grounds Outside Musée Matisse, 2016 | Mixed media on board | $8,190 | Lawsons Auctioneers | Feb 2026 |
| 7 | The Garden Room, 2014 | Oil on MDF board | $6,110 | Lawsons Auctioneers | Nov 2024 |
| 8 | Ocean Face- S.M.S.S, 2019 | Bronze | $5,341 | Shapiro Auctioneers | Sep 2026 |
| 9 | First Days Titjikala, 2012 | Oil on board | $4,282 | Shapiro Auctioneers | May 2026 |
| 10 | Barrington Tops, Study 1, 1983 | Oil on board | $3,212 | Shapiro Auctioneers | May 2026 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Other | 6 | $8,418 |
| Paintings | 10 | $3,106 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 6 | $10,050 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 8 | $2,212 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 23 results from 4 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


James Drinkwater is an Australia artist with 34 auction lots recorded since 2023, median price $3,047. 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 Drinkwater sold in 2026 for $5,341, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a James Drinkwater work worth?

Across 23 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a James Drinkwater work is $3,047.

The median James Drinkwater painting sells for $3,225 across 10 lots.

The median James Drinkwater work on paper sells for $1,613 across 1 lots.

The median James Drinkwater print sells for $412 across 3 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 | $412 | $412 | — | 2025-09-10 |
| Paintings | 12 | $3,225† | $63,367 | 83.3% | 2026-05-19 |
| Works on Paper | 6 | $1,613 | $1,613 | 16.7% | 2025-11-24 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 1 | $5,341 | $5,341 | — | 2026-09-22 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

James Drinkwater's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (3 lots) median $412. Paintings (12 lots) median $3,225, record $63,367. A typical James Drinkwater painting sells for around 7.8× the price of a typical print.

## Price by size

### Paintings

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 5 | $2,218–$3,001 | $2,619 | $4,282 |

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

## Notable results

| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 2026 | $63,367 |
| Paintings | 2025 | $32,459 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2026 | $5,341 |
| Works on Paper | 2025 | $1,613 |
| Prints & Editions | 2025 | $412 |
| Prints & Editions | 2025 | $412 |

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 Drinkwater worth?

Across 23 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a James Drinkwater work is $3,047. The median James Drinkwater painting sells for $3,225 across 10 lots. The median James Drinkwater work on paper sells for $1,613 across 1 lots. The median James Drinkwater print sells for $412 across 3 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 Drinkwater painting?

Based on 10 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a James Drinkwater painting is $3,225. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is James Drinkwater's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a James Drinkwater painting is $63,367.

### What is James Drinkwater's auction record?

James Drinkwater's auction record is $63,367, set in 2026.

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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 Drinkwater auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/james-drinkwater (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.