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

# James Tissot (1836–1902)

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

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 274 auction results for James Tissot at 34 houses since 1989. Over the last 24 months the median price was $1,016 including buyer’s premium (middle half $510–$1,403, n=24). The auction record is $2,412,500 for Triumph of the Will - The Challenge (2018, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Triumph of the Will - The Challenge, 1877 | Oil paint | $2,412,500 | Christie's | Oct 2018 |
| 2 | Seaside, 1836 | Oil paint | $2,394,136 | Christie's | Nov 2002 |
| 3 | In the Conservatory (Rivals), 1836 | Oil paint | $2,045,000 | Christie's | Oct 2013 |
| 4 | Les Demoiselles de Province, 1836 | Oil paint | $1,877,756 | Christie's | Jun 2015 |
| 5 | Waiting, 1836 | Oil paint | $1,633,626 | Christie's | Jun 2014 |
| 6 | Partie Carrée, 1870 | Oil paint | $776,000 | Christie's | May 2001 |
| 7 | The Departure Platform, Victoria Station, 1836 | Pencil | $407,714 | Christie's | Jun 1999 |
| 8 | Un déjeuner, 1836 | Painting | $290,652 | Bonhams | Mar 2024 |
| 9 | Le banc de jardin, 1882 | Oil paint | $189,500 | Christie's | Nov 1999 |
| 10 | The Prodigal Son in modern life: The Departure; The Return, 1836 | Oil studies | $83,802 | Bonhams | Sep 2017 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 17 | $83,802 |
| Prints | 185 | $2,400 |
| Other | 28 | $1,750 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 31 | $3,719 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 175 | $2,481 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 274 results from 34 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


James Tissot is a French artist with 383 auction lots recorded since 1989, median price $2,388. 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 Tissot sold in 2026 for $8,890, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a James Tissot work worth?

Across 272 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a James Tissot work is $2,388.

The median James Tissot print sells for $2,098 across 238 lots.

The median James Tissot painting sells for $32,039 across 20 lots.

The median James Tissot work on paper sells for $46,976 across 4 lots.

Small (under 50 cm) James Tissot prints typically sell for $1,078–$4,000 (the middle half of 186 sold lots).

Medium (50–120 cm) James Tissot prints typically sell for $1,042–$5,652 (the middle half of 30 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 | 334 | $2,098†‡ | $16,250 | 71.3% | 2026-03-28 |
| Paintings | 22 | $32,039†‡ | $2.4M | 90.9% | 2025-12-04 |
| Works on Paper | 7 | $46,976‡ | $407,714 | 57.1% | 2021-06-11 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 14 | $349,183‡ | $2.4M | — | 2024-03-20 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

James Tissot's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (334 lots) median $2,098 with 71.3% sell-through. Paintings (22 lots) median $32,039, record $2,412,500. A typical James Tissot painting sells for around 15× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 14 lots) the median is $349,183.

## Price by size

### Prints & Editions

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 186 | $1,078–$4,000†‡ | $2,205†‡ | $13,200 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 30 | $1,042–$5,652†‡ | $2,500†‡ | $16,250 |

† 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 10 | $6,824–$24,953†‡ | $8,592†‡ | $189,500 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 6 | $151,807–$1.9M†‡ | $962,139†‡ | $2.4M |

† 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 2018 | $2.4M |
| Paintings | 2002 | $2.4M |
| Works on Paper | 1999 | $407,714 |
| Works on Paper | 1999 | $55,270 |
| Prints & Editions | 2018 | $16,250 |
| Prints & Editions | 2012 | $13,200 |

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 Tissot worth?

Across 272 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a James Tissot work is $2,388. The median James Tissot print sells for $2,098 across 238 lots. The median James Tissot painting sells for $32,039 across 20 lots. The median James Tissot work on paper sells for $46,976 across 4 lots. Small (under 50 cm) James Tissot prints typically sell for $1,078–$4,000 (the middle half of 186 sold lots). Medium (50–120 cm) James Tissot prints typically sell for $1,042–$5,652 (the middle half of 30 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 Tissot print?

Based on 238 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a James Tissot print is $2,098. 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 Tissot's most expensive print?

The highest price recorded at auction for a James Tissot print is $16,250.

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

Based on 20 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a James Tissot painting is $32,039. 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 Tissot's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a James Tissot painting is $2,412,500.

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

Based on 186 sold lots, the median auction price of a small James Tissot print (small (under 50 cm)) is $2,205, 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 medium James Tissot print?

Based on 30 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium James Tissot print (medium (50–120 cm)) is $2,500, 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 Tissot's auction record?

James Tissot's auction record is $2,412,500, set in 2018.

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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 Tissot auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/james-tissot (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.