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

# James Rosenquist (1933–2017)

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

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 1,522 auction results for James Rosenquist at 91 houses since 1989. Over the last 24 months the median price was $1,188 including buyer’s premium (middle half $627–$2,816, n=177). The auction record is $3,135,000 for Director (2019, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Director, 1964 | Oil paint | $3,135,000 | Christie's | May 2019 |
| 2 | Marilyn II, 1963 | Oil paint | $2,655,000 | Christie's | May 2019 |
| 3 | White Bread | Oil on canvas | $1,497,000 | Sotheby's | Nov 2007 |
| 4 | Be Beautiful, 1964 | Oil paint | $1,248,000 | Christie's | May 2005 |
| 5 | White Lightning, 1983 | Oil on canvas laid down on board | $1,115,261 | Christie's | Nov 2011 |
| 6 | Sister Shrieks, 1987 | Oil on canvas | $1,013,192 | Galerie Kornfeld Auktionen Bern | Jun 2023 |
| 7 | Conveyor Belt, 1964 | Oil paint | $912,000 | Christie's | May 2006 |
| 8 | Fast Pain Relief, 1962 | Oil paint | $899,999 | Christie's | May 2023 |
| 9 | Highway Temple, 1979 | Painting | $740,000 | Phillips | Nov 2019 |
| 10 | Dog Descending a Staircase, 1979 | Oil paint | $736,600 | Phillips | Nov 2023 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 68 | $243,250 |
| Works on paper | 48 | $9,188 |
| Other | 110 | $1,605 |
| Prints | 1,031 | $1,501 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 297 | $10,160 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 840 | $1,270 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 51 | $1,224 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 1,522 results from 91 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


James Rosenquist is an American artist with 2,096 auction lots recorded since 1989, median price $1,524. 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 Rosenquist sold in 2026 for $3,200, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

**3 James Rosenquist works are coming to auction** (as of 2026-11-02).

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

## What is a James Rosenquist work worth?

Across 1,495 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a James Rosenquist work is $1,524.

The median James Rosenquist print sells for $1,400 across 1,256 lots.

The median James Rosenquist painting sells for $243,250 across 84 lots.

The median James Rosenquist work on paper sells for $12,939 across 44 lots.

Medium (50–120 cm) James Rosenquist prints typically sell for $750–$2,000 (the middle half of 882 sold lots).

Large (over 120 cm) James Rosenquist prints typically sell for $3,728–$15,418 (the middle half of 252 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 | 1,524 | $1,400†‡ | $228,600 | 82.4% | 2026-10-22 |
| Paintings | 96 | $243,250†‡ | $3.1M | 87.5% | 2026-05-21 |
| Works on Paper | 47 | $12,939‡ | $511,500 | 93.6% | 2025-07-02 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 3 | $7,938 | $10,160 | — | 2026-06-30 |
| Photography | 4 | $1,526† | $9,399 | — | 2026-06-24 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 78 | $354,750†‡ | $3.1M | — | 2026-05-21 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

James Rosenquist's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (1,524 lots) median $1,400 with 82.4% sell-through. Paintings (96 lots) median $243,250, record $3,135,000. A typical James Rosenquist painting sells for around 174× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 78 lots) the median is $354,750.

## Price by size

### Prints & Editions

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 51 | $552–$1,448†‡ | $816†‡ | $5,715 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 882 | $750–$2,000†‡ | $1,125†‡ | $39,370 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 252 | $3,728–$15,418†‡ | $7,414†‡ | $228,600 |

† 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) | 19 | $20,192–$196,000‡ | $89,625‡ | $529,200 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 62 | $140,475–$610,132†‡ | $349,000†‡ | $3.1M |

† 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) | 6 | $4,650–$22,608 | $6,506 | $38,591 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 25 | $7,620–$22,498‡ | $11,950‡ | $106,250 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 11 | $19,475–$78,125 | $44,100 | $511,500 |

‡ 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 | 2019 | $3.1M |
| Paintings | 2019 | $2.7M |
| Works on Paper | 2016 | $511,500 |
| Prints & Editions | 2024 | $228,600 |
| Prints & Editions | 2007 | $203,193 |
| Works on Paper | 2000 | $117,115 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2024 | $10,160 |
| Photography | 2008 | $9,399 |

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 Rosenquist worth?

Across 1,495 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a James Rosenquist work is $1,524. The median James Rosenquist print sells for $1,400 across 1,256 lots. The median James Rosenquist painting sells for $243,250 across 84 lots. The median James Rosenquist work on paper sells for $12,939 across 44 lots. Medium (50–120 cm) James Rosenquist prints typically sell for $750–$2,000 (the middle half of 882 sold lots). Large (over 120 cm) James Rosenquist prints typically sell for $3,728–$15,418 (the middle half of 252 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 Rosenquist print?

Based on 1,256 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a James Rosenquist print is $1,400. 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 Rosenquist's most expensive print?

The highest price recorded at auction for a James Rosenquist print is $228,600.

### What is the average price of a James Rosenquist painting?

Based on 84 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a James Rosenquist painting is $243,250. 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 Rosenquist's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a James Rosenquist painting is $3,135,000.

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

Based on 44 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a James Rosenquist work on paper is $12,939. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

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

The highest price recorded at auction for a James Rosenquist work on paper is $511,500.

### What is the average price of a medium James Rosenquist print?

Based on 882 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium James Rosenquist print (medium (50–120 cm)) is $1,125, 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 large James Rosenquist print?

Based on 252 sold lots, the median auction price of a large James Rosenquist print (large (over 120 cm)) is $7,414, 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 Rosenquist's auction record?

James Rosenquist's auction record is $3,135,000, set in 2019.

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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 Rosenquist auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/james-rosenquist (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.