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

# James Turrell (b. 1943)

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

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 194 auction results for James Turrell at 25 houses since 1998. Over the last 24 months the median price was $57,150 including buyer’s premium (middle half $10,866–$573,500, n=15). The auction record is $660,400 for Ariel (2025, Phillips). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ariel, 2022 | LED light, programming, shallow space | $660,400 | Phillips | May 2025 |
| 2 | The Light Underneath, 2006 | LED panels, glass wall, Element Labs Versa Drive C1 and SanDisk Extreme I I I 1 GB Compact Flash Card | $660,000 | Sotheby's | Feb 2025 |
| 3 | Ein Feshkha, 2008 | LED light, programming and shallow space | $649,352 | Phillips | Oct 2026 |
| 4 | Origen, 2020 | Etched glass | $635,000 | Sotheby's | Jan 2026 |
| 5 | Electra, Circular Glass, 2021 | LED light, etched glass and shallow space | $512,000 | Christie's | Oct 2026 |
| 6 | Ondoe, Blue | — | $439,292 | Sotheby's | Oct 2007 |
| 7 | ORCA, BLUE-RED, 1969 | Glass | $395,985 | Sotheby's | Oct 2020 |
| 8 | Gard, Pale Blue, 1968 | Projected light | $337,000 | Sotheby's | Nov 2007 |
| 9 | Untitled (19NSB), 2007 | Glass | $189,000 | Sotheby's | Nov 2021 |

**Top auction records: prints & editions**

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | First Light | The complete set of 20 etching and aquatints, on Zerkall paper, with full margins | $191,000 | Phillips | Oct 2013 |

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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Works on paper | 7 | $10,200 |
| Prints | 47 | $10,129 |
| Other | 104 | $358 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 17 | $129,435 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 47 | $12,332 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 91 | $341 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 194 results from 25 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


James Turrell is an American artist with 203 auction lots recorded since 1998, median price $5,962. 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 Turrell sold in 2026 for $649,352, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

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

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

## What is a James Turrell work worth?

Across 168 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a James Turrell work is $5,962.

The median James Turrell print sells for $562 across 132 lots.

The median James Turrell photograph sells for $10,340 across 16 lots.

The median James Turrell work on paper sells for $8,565 across 4 lots.

Small (under 50 cm) James Turrell prints typically sell for $171–$939 (the middle half of 92 sold lots).

Medium (50–120 cm) James Turrell prints typically sell for $6,288–$23,230 (the middle half of 38 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 | 141 | $562†‡ | $191,000 | 93.6% | 2026-08-14 |
| Works on Paper | 4 | $8,565 | $52,289 | — | 2023-06-01 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2 | $129,435 | $129,435 | 50% | 2023-03-03 |
| Photography | 21 | $10,340† | $28,750 | 76.2% | 2025-02-25 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 24 | $152,400‡ | $660,400 | — | 2026-10-15 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

## Price by size

### Prints & Editions

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 92 | $171–$939†‡ | $341†‡ | $25,000 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 38 | $6,288–$23,230†‡ | $10,720†‡ | $191,000 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

### Photography

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 6 | $1,354–$8,142† | $6,000† | $16,510 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 5 | $10,350–$12,332 | $11,519 | $15,769 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

## Notable results

| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Prints & Editions | 2013 | $191,000 |
| Prints & Editions | 2017 | $143,750 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2023 | $129,435 |
| Works on Paper | 2019 | $52,289 |
| Photography | 2017 | $28,750 |
| Photography | 2025 | $16,510 |
| Works on Paper | 2023 | $10,200 |

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 Turrell worth?

Across 168 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a James Turrell work is $5,962. The median James Turrell print sells for $562 across 132 lots. The median James Turrell photograph sells for $10,340 across 16 lots. The median James Turrell work on paper sells for $8,565 across 4 lots. Small (under 50 cm) James Turrell prints typically sell for $171–$939 (the middle half of 92 sold lots). Medium (50–120 cm) James Turrell prints typically sell for $6,288–$23,230 (the middle half of 38 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 Turrell print?

Based on 132 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a James Turrell print is $562. 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 Turrell's most expensive print?

The highest price recorded at auction for a James Turrell print is $191,000.

### What is the average price of a James Turrell photograph?

Based on 16 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a James Turrell photograph is $10,340. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

### What is James Turrell's most expensive photograph?

The highest price recorded at auction for a James Turrell photograph is $28,750.

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

Based on 92 sold lots, the median auction price of a small James Turrell print (small (under 50 cm)) is $341, 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 Turrell print?

Based on 38 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium James Turrell print (medium (50–120 cm)) is $10,720, 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 Turrell's auction record?

James Turrell's auction record is $660,400, set in 2025.

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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 Turrell auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/james-turrell (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.