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

# James Welling (b. 1951)

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

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 152 auction results for James Welling at 24 houses since 2001. Over the last 24 months the median price was $2,040 including buyer’s premium (middle half $794–$3,149, n=31). The auction record is $35,280 for April (2021, Phillips). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | April, 2021 | Hand coloring | $35,280 | Phillips | Sep 2021 |
| 2 | Flowers: (i) #017; (ii) #020; (iii) #031, 2004 | Chromogenic print, mounted on aluminum | $24,130 | Phillips | May 2023 |
| 3 | Selected Images from Drapes | Cartes-de-visite | $20,000 | Phillips | Oct 2017 |
| 4 | Torso 9-6, 2005 | Hand coloring | $20,000 | Phillips | Sep 2019 |
| 5 | Untitled #0696 (Glass House) | Myrrh | $18,750 | Phillips | Apr 2017 |
| 6 | Two works: (i) X; (ii) VIII, 1987 | Hand coloring | $17,845 | Phillips | Jun 2017 |
| 7 | Chromogenic print, flush-mounted | Hand coloring | $17,500 | Phillips | Apr 2015 |
| 8 | FDFV 1, 2012 | Archival inkjet print | $13,750 | Phillips | May 2019 |
| 9 | Fountain, 1951 | Myrrh | $13,750 | Christie's | Oct 2019 |
| 10 | G13QW, 2012 | Archival inkjet print | $13,750 | Phillips | Sep 2015 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Photographs | 70 | $5,257 |
| Other | 54 | $4,193 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 17 | $11,233 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 59 | $5,961 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 48 | $871 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 152 results from 24 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


James Welling is an American artist with 211 auction lots recorded since 2001, median price $4,445. 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 Welling sold in 2026 for $6,423, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a James Welling work worth?

Across 152 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a James Welling work is $4,445.

The median James Welling photograph sells for $4,375 across 108 lots.

The median James Welling print sells for $5,128 across 21 lots.

The median James Welling painting sells for $3,250 across 9 lots.

Medium (50–120 cm) James Welling photographs typically sell for $3,480–$8,769 (the middle half of 52 sold lots).

Small (under 50 cm) James Welling photographs typically sell for $565–$2,563 (the middle half of 43 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 | 33 | $5,128 | $18,750 | 63.6% | 2026-10-07 |
| Paintings | 9 | $3,250† | $8,438 | — | 2025-07-31 |
| Works on Paper | 4 | $9,138 | $11,875 | 50% | 2024-02-08 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 4 | $18,940 | $35,280 | — | 2024-04-05 |
| Photography | 133 | $4,375†‡ | $20,000 | 81.2% | 2026-06-26 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 14 | $15,625 | $35,280 | — | 2023-05-16 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

James Welling's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (33 lots) median $5,128 with 63.6% sell-through. Paintings (9 lots) median $3,250, record $8,438. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 14 lots) the median is $15,625.

## Price by size

### Prints & Editions

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 9 | $3,500–$6,740 | $5,120 | $13,750 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 7 | $7,586–$13,750 | $12,500 | $18,750 |

### Paintings

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 5 | $1,730–$2,286† | $2,142† | $3,250 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

### Photography

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 43 | $565–$2,563†‡ | $860†‡ | $20,000 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 52 | $3,480–$8,769†‡ | $5,429†‡ | $20,000 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 6 | $10,008–$13,438 | $11,867 | $17,500 |

† 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Sculpture & Installation | 2021 | $35,280 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2023 | $24,130 |
| Photography | 2019 | $20,000 |
| Photography | 2017 | $20,000 |
| Prints & Editions | 2017 | $18,750 |
| Prints & Editions | 2015 | $13,750 |
| Works on Paper | 2020 | $11,875 |
| Paintings | 2017 | $8,438 |

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 Welling worth?

Across 152 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a James Welling work is $4,445. The median James Welling photograph sells for $4,375 across 108 lots. The median James Welling print sells for $5,128 across 21 lots. The median James Welling painting sells for $3,250 across 9 lots. Medium (50–120 cm) James Welling photographs typically sell for $3,480–$8,769 (the middle half of 52 sold lots). Small (under 50 cm) James Welling photographs typically sell for $565–$2,563 (the middle half of 43 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 Welling photograph?

Based on 108 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a James Welling photograph is $4,375. 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 Welling's most expensive photograph?

The highest price recorded at auction for a James Welling photograph is $20,000.

### What is the average price of a James Welling print?

Based on 21 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a James Welling print is $5,128.

### What is James Welling's most expensive print?

The highest price recorded at auction for a James Welling print is $18,750.

### What is the average price of a medium James Welling photograph?

Based on 52 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium James Welling photograph (medium (50–120 cm)) is $5,429, 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 small James Welling photograph?

Based on 43 sold lots, the median auction price of a small James Welling photograph (small (under 50 cm)) is $860, 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 Welling's auction record?

James Welling's auction record is $35,280, 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 Welling auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/james-welling (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.