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

# James McNeill Whistler (1834–1903)

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

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 313 auction results for James McNeill Whistler at 18 houses since 1998. Over the last 24 months the median price was $1,878 including buyer’s premium (middle half $585–$6,015, n=35). The auction record is $1,200,000 for Whistler Smoking (2021, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Whistler Smoking, 1856 | Oil paint | $1,200,000 | Christie's | Nov 2021 |
| 2 | Green and silver -- The Bright Sea, Dieppe, 1834 | Gouache | $600,000 | Christie's | Nov 2001 |
| 3 | Figures in a Doorway, 1897 | Watercolor | $517,000 | Christie's | May 2008 |
| 4 | Corte del Paradiso, 1834 | Chalk | $508,500 | Christie's | May 1999 |
| 5 | Note in Rose and Silver--Dordrecht, 1884 | Watercolor | $408,000 | Christie's | May 2005 |
| 6 | Study for The Tall Bridge | Charcoal and chalk on brown paper | $385,000 | Sotheby's | May 2008 |
| 7 | Blue and Opal: Herring Fleet | Oil on panel | $361,000 | Sotheby's | Nov 2007 |
| 8 | Fondamente dei Mori, 1879 | Chalk | $341,000 | Christie's | May 2016 |
| 9 | Blue and Gold: Robin Hood's Bay, 1834 | Painting | $310,500 | Christie's | May 1998 |
| 10 | Howth Head, Near Dublin, 1900 | Painting | $239,400 | Christie's | Jan 2023 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 9 | $168,000 |
| Works on paper | 16 | $57,408 |
| Other | 13 | $21,250 |
| Prints | 237 | $1,848 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Small (under 50 cm) | 256 | $2,125 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 313 results from 18 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


James McNeill Whistler is an American artist with 397 auction lots recorded since 1998, median price $2,750. Some sold prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium; they are marked on this page.

A work by James McNeill Whistler sold in 2026 for $8,580, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

**1 James McNeill Whistler work is coming to auction** (as of 2026-11-02).

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

## What is a James McNeill Whistler work worth?

Across 309 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a James McNeill Whistler work is $2,750.

The median James McNeill Whistler print sells for $2,260 across 268 lots.

The median James McNeill Whistler work on paper sells for $27,500 across 23 lots.

The median James McNeill Whistler painting sells for $160,200 across 8 lots.

Small (under 50 cm) James McNeill Whistler prints typically sell for $847–$5,490 (the middle half of 258 sold lots).

Small (under 50 cm) James McNeill Whistler work on papers typically sell for $3,645–$134,500 (the middle half of 23 sold lots).

Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

## Price breakdown by category

| Category | Lots tracked | Median price | Record price | Sell-through | Last sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prints & Editions | 347 | $2,260† | $264,000 | 77.2% | 2026-05-09 |
| Paintings | 8 | $160,200 | $1.2M | — | 2025-11-25 |
| Works on Paper | 25 | $27,500 | $600,000 | 92% | 2026-01-23 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 20 | $251,700 | $1.2M | — | 2025-05-14 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

James McNeill Whistler's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (347 lots) median $2,260 with 77.2% sell-through. Paintings (8 lots) median $160,200, record $1,200,000. A typical James McNeill Whistler painting sells for around 71× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 20 lots) the median is $251,700.

## Price by size

### Prints & Editions

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 258 | $847–$5,490† | $2,260† | $264,000 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

### Paintings

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 6 | $117,788–$292,725 | $195,900 | $1.2M |

### Works on Paper

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 23 | $3,645–$134,500 | $27,500 | $600,000 |

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

## Notable results

| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 2021 | $1.2M |
| Works on Paper | 2001 | $600,000 |
| Works on Paper | 2008 | $517,000 |
| Paintings | 1998 | $310,500 |
| Prints & Editions | 2007 | $264,000 |
| Prints & Editions | 2014 | $125,000 |

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 309 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a James McNeill Whistler work is $2,750. The median James McNeill Whistler print sells for $2,260 across 268 lots. The median James McNeill Whistler work on paper sells for $27,500 across 23 lots. The median James McNeill Whistler painting sells for $160,200 across 8 lots. Small (under 50 cm) James McNeill Whistler prints typically sell for $847–$5,490 (the middle half of 258 sold lots). Small (under 50 cm) James McNeill Whistler work on papers typically sell for $3,645–$134,500 (the middle half of 23 sold lots). Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

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

Based on 268 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a James McNeill Whistler print is $2,260. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is James McNeill Whistler's most expensive print?

The highest price recorded at auction for a James McNeill Whistler print is $264,000.

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

Based on 23 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a James McNeill Whistler work on paper is $27,500.

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

The highest price recorded at auction for a James McNeill Whistler work on paper is $600,000.

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

Based on 258 sold lots, the median auction price of a small James McNeill Whistler print (small (under 50 cm)) is $2,260, 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 small James McNeill Whistler work on paper?

Based on 23 sold lots, the median auction price of a small James McNeill Whistler work on paper (small (under 50 cm)) is $27,500, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

### What is James McNeill Whistler's auction record?

James McNeill Whistler's auction record is $1,200,000, set in 2021.

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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.