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

# James McNeill Whistler (1834–1903)

James McNeill Whistler is an American artist with 83 auction lots recorded since 1991, median price $3,217. 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 McNeill Whistler sold in 2022 for $7,807, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a James McNeill Whistler work worth?

Across 71 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a James McNeill Whistler work is $3,217.

The median James McNeill Whistler print sells for $2,125 across 61 lots.

The median James McNeill Whistler work on paper sells for $14,568 across 6 lots.

The median James McNeill Whistler painting sells for $5,512 across 2 lots.

Small (under 50 cm) James McNeill Whistler prints typically sell for $798–$21,787 (the middle half of 51 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 | 64 | $2,125†‡ | $240,109 | 95.3% | 2022-06-08 |
| Paintings | 3 | $5,512‡ | $7,807 | 66.7% | 2022-07-19 |
| Works on Paper | 7 | $14,568 | $40,994 | 85.7% | 2019-09-17 |
| Photography | 1 | $5,980 | $5,980 | — | 2000-10-11 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 4 | $120,684 | $240,109 | — | 2014-04-23 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

James McNeill Whistler's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (64 lots) median $2,125 with 95.3% sell-through. Paintings (3 lots) median $5,512, record $7,807. A typical James McNeill Whistler painting sells for around 2.6× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 4 lots) the median is $120,684.

## Price by size

### Prints & Editions

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 51 | $798–$21,787†‡ | $2,840†‡ | $240,109 |

† 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) | 5 | $11,250–$25,891 | $17,261 | $40,994 |

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

## Notable results

| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Prints & Editions | 2014 | $240,109 |
| Prints & Editions | 2014 | $136,426 |
| Works on Paper | 2004 | $40,994 |
| Works on Paper | 2004 | $25,891 |
| Paintings | 2022 | $7,807 |
| Photography | 2000 | $5,980 |
| Paintings | 2022 | $3,217‡ |

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

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 McNeill Whistler worth?

Across 71 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a James McNeill Whistler work is $3,217. The median James McNeill Whistler print sells for $2,125 across 61 lots. The median James McNeill Whistler work on paper sells for $14,568 across 6 lots. The median James McNeill Whistler painting sells for $5,512 across 2 lots. Small (under 50 cm) James McNeill Whistler prints typically sell for $798–$21,787 (the middle half of 51 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 McNeill Whistler print?

Based on 61 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a James McNeill Whistler print is $2,125. 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 McNeill Whistler's most expensive print?

The highest price recorded at auction for a James McNeill Whistler print is $240,109.

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

Based on 51 sold lots, the median auction price of a small James McNeill Whistler print (small (under 50 cm)) is $2,840, 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 McNeill Whistler's auction record?

James McNeill Whistler's auction record is $240,109, set in 2014.

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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 McNeill Whistler auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/james-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.