Jean Cocteau (1889–1963)
What is Jean Cocteau’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 1,799 auction results for Jean Cocteau at 135 houses since 1990. Over the last 24 months the median price was $3,573 including buyer’s premium (middle half $1,541–$6,402, n=322). The auction record is $179,032 for MEDITERRANEE (2014, Artcurial). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | MEDITERRANEE, 1952 | Fer | $179,032 | Artcurial | Jun 2014 |
| 2 | Judith et Holopherne, 1889 | Pastel and crayon on three panels | $120,075 | Bonhams | May 2023 |
| 3 | Judith et Holopherne, 1948 | Crayon | $120,075 | Bonhams | May 2023 |
| 4 | Adam et Eve, 1953 | Signée et datée en bas à droite "Jean Cocteau | $79,551 | Artcurial | Dec 2018 |
| 5 | Le Satiricon, 1889 | Terracotta plates with enamels and oxide crayons in colours | $59,207 | Bonhams | Jun 2026 |
| 6 | Grand chêvre-cou, 1958 | Terracotta | $49,472 | Bonhams | Dec 2019 |
| 7 | ADAM ET EVE, 1953 | Pastel sur toile | $47,022 | Artcurial | Dec 2004 |
| 8 | Antigone, 1954 | Pastel on paper; signed Jean and dated 1954 lower left | $33,179 | Sotheby's | Jan 2018 |
| 9 | La Métamorphose d'Actéon | Pencil, pastel and charcoal on paper | $31,250 | Sotheby's | Mar 2010 |
| 10 | Portrait de Picasso, 1917 | Pencil | $27,940 | Sotheby's | Nov 2025 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Sculpture | 216 | $4,737 |
| Paintings | 6 | $4,164 |
| Works on paper | 437 | $4,001 |
| Other | 438 | $3,309 |
| Prints | 213 | $817 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Small (under 50 cm) | 876 | $3,694 |
| Large (over 120 cm) | 17 | $2,924 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 205 | $2,021 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 1,799 results from 135 houses · How we compute these figures
Jean Cocteau is a French artist with 2,435 auction lots recorded since 1989, median price $2,652. 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 Jean Cocteau is recorded as sold in 2026 for $4,804; whether the price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
18 Jean Cocteau works are coming to auction (as of 2026-11-02). Follow Jean Cocteau free on OpeningBid for sale alerts.
See the full Jean Cocteau record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Jean Cocteau on OpeningBid →What is a Jean Cocteau work worth?
Across 1,753 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Jean Cocteau work is $2,652.
The median Jean Cocteau work on paper sells for $3,284 across 788 lots.
The median Jean Cocteau print sells for $508 across 351 lots.
The median Jean Cocteau sculpture sells for $2,942 across 22 lots.
Small (under 50 cm) Jean Cocteau work on papers typically sell for $1,657–$5,481 (the middle half of 584 sold lots).
Medium (50–120 cm) Jean Cocteau prints typically sell for $279–$1,262 (the middle half of 184 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 | 448 | $508†‡ | $18,750 | 78.3% | 2026-10-10 |
| Paintings | 4 | $6,821 | $179,032 | — | 2024-12-03 |
| Works on Paper | 966 | $3,284†‡ | $120,075 | 81.6% | 2026-09-30 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 23 | $2,942†‡ | $25,963 | 95.7% | 2026-09-12 |
| Photography | 11 | $2,228‡ | $10,757 | 63.6% | 2025-05-08 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 90 | $14,532†‡ | $179,032 | — | 2026-07-02 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Jean Cocteau's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (448 lots) median $508 with 78.3% sell-through. Paintings (4 lots) median $6,821, record $179,032. A typical Jean Cocteau painting sells for around 13× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 90 lots) the median is $14,532.
Price by size
Prints & Editions
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 127 | $219–$1,092†‡ | $481†‡ | $14,379 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 184 | $279–$1,262†‡ | $513†‡ | $13,839 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 5 | $975–$1,625 | $1,500 | $18,750 |
† 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) | 584 | $1,657–$5,481†‡ | $3,142†‡ | $59,207 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 77 | $3,803–$9,243†‡ | $5,942†‡ | $27,812 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Sculpture & Installation
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 18 | $1,828–$5,389†‡ | $2,942†‡ | $25,963 |
† 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 | $1,043–$2,432‡ | $1,926‡ | $10,757 |
‡ 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 | 2014 | $179,032 |
| Works on Paper | 2023 | $120,075 |
| Works on Paper | 2026 | $59,207 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2026 | $25,963 |
| Prints & Editions | 2015 | $18,750 |
| Prints & Editions | 2024 | $14,450 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2024 | $10,837 |
| Photography | 2019 | $10,757 |
The highest recorded result in each medium. See the full sale history on OpeningBid.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Jean Cocteau worth?
Across 1,753 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Jean Cocteau work is $2,652. The median Jean Cocteau work on paper sells for $3,284 across 788 lots. The median Jean Cocteau print sells for $508 across 351 lots. The median Jean Cocteau sculpture sells for $2,942 across 22 lots. Small (under 50 cm) Jean Cocteau work on papers typically sell for $1,657–$5,481 (the middle half of 584 sold lots). Medium (50–120 cm) Jean Cocteau prints typically sell for $279–$1,262 (the middle half of 184 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 Jean Cocteau work on paper?
Based on 788 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Jean Cocteau work on paper is $3,284. 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 Jean Cocteau's most expensive work on paper?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Jean Cocteau work on paper is $120,075.
What is the average price of a Jean Cocteau print?
Based on 351 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Jean Cocteau print is $508. 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 Jean Cocteau's most expensive print?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Jean Cocteau print is $18,750.
What is the average price of a Jean Cocteau sculpture?
Based on 22 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Jean Cocteau sculpture is $2,942. 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 Jean Cocteau's most expensive sculpture?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Jean Cocteau sculpture is $25,963.
What is the average price of a small Jean Cocteau work on paper?
Based on 584 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Jean Cocteau work on paper (small (under 50 cm)) is $3,142, 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 Jean Cocteau print?
Based on 184 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Jean Cocteau print (medium (50–120 cm)) is $513, 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 Jean Cocteau's auction record?
Jean Cocteau's auction record is $179,032, set in 2014.
See the full Jean Cocteau record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
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