> Source: https://www.openingbid.art/artist/james-nachtwey · updated 2026-11-01

# James Nachtwey (b. 1948)

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

As of 3 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 17 auction results for James Nachtwey at 8 houses since 2006. Over the last 24 months the median price was $2,572 including buyer’s premium (middle half $1,597–$3,327, n=7). The auction record is $4,000 for Iraq (2025, Kunsthaus Lempertz). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Iraq, 2003 | Myrrh | $4,000 | Kunsthaus Lempertz | May 2025 |
| 2 | Nicaragua, 1994 | Myrrh | $3,460 | Kunsthaus Lempertz | Nov 2024 |
| 3 | Afghanistan, 1996. En deuil d’un frère tué par une roquette des Talibans, 2002 | Gelatin silver print | $3,208 | Ader | Jun 2021 |
| 4 | Nicaragua, 2000 | Archival ink jet print on Exhibition Fiber paper | $2,706 | Swann Auction Galleries | Oct 2010 |
| 5 | Sudan, 2004 | Archival ink jet print | $2,280 | Swann Auction Galleries | Oct 2010 |
| 6 | XHOSA YOUNG MEN OF PASSAGE, 1992 | Vintage C-Print | $2,262 | Cornette de Saint Cyr (Bonhams) | Jul 2020 |
| 7 | El Salvador, 1984 | Myrrh | $1,597 | Kunsthaus Lempertz | Nov 2024 |

**Top auction records: prints & editions**

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | World Trade Center, 11th Sept., 2001 | Myrrh | $3,194 | Kunsthaus Lempertz | Nov 2024 |
| 2 | World Trade Center, 11th Sept., 2001 | Myrrh | $2,572 | Kunsthaus Lempertz | May 2025 |
| 3 | Rwanda, 1994 | Cartes-de-visite | $1,597 | Kunsthaus Lempertz | Nov 2024 |

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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Photographs | 11 | $2,572 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Small (under 50 cm) | 7 | $2,572 |

Data as of 3 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 17 results from 8 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


James Nachtwey is an US artist with 20 auction lots recorded since 2006, median price $2,262. 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 Nachtwey sold in 2025 for $4,000, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a James Nachtwey work worth?

Across 17 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a James Nachtwey work is $2,262.

The median James Nachtwey photograph sells for $2,262 across 17 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Photography | 19 | $2,262†‡ | $4,000 | 89.5% | 2026-03-05 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

## Price by size

### Photography

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 12 | $1,577–$2,727†‡ | $1,750†‡ | $4,000 |

† 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Photography | 2025 | $4,000 |
| Photography | 2024 | $3,460 |

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 Nachtwey worth?

Across 17 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a James Nachtwey work is $2,262. The median James Nachtwey photograph sells for $2,262 across 17 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 Nachtwey photograph?

Based on 17 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a James Nachtwey photograph is $2,262. 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 Nachtwey's most expensive photograph?

The highest price recorded at auction for a James Nachtwey photograph is $4,000.

### What is the average price of a small James Nachtwey photograph?

Based on 12 sold lots, the median auction price of a small James Nachtwey photograph (small (under 50 cm)) is $1,750, 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 Nachtwey's auction record?

James Nachtwey's auction record is $4,000, set in 2025.

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Data last updated 2026-11-01. OpeningBid tracks 15,222,099 auction lots from 571 auction houses, refreshed nightly.

Cite this page as: OpeningBid, “James Nachtwey auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/james-nachtwey (updated 2026-11-01).

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.