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

# Joan Brown (1938–1990)

## What is Joan Brown’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 59 auction results for Joan Brown at 13 houses since 2004. Over the last 24 months the median price was $14,605 including buyer’s premium (middle half $5,120–$20,993, n=18). The auction record is $596,900 for After the Alcatraz Swim #2 (2025, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | After the Alcatraz Swim #2, 1975 | Oil paint | $596,900 | Christie's | Nov 2025 |
| 2 | The Kiss, 1976 | Enamel on canvas | $575,513 | Tajan | Nov 2023 |
| 3 | Portrait of a Watermelon, 1964 | Painting | $118,750 | Bonhams | Oct 2013 |
| 4 | Dancer with Veil, 1938 | Oil, acrylic and glitter on canvas | $87,500 | Bonhams | Oct 2017 |
| 5 | Untitled (Portrait of Jay De Feo), 1958 | Oil paint | $78,000 | Christie's | Nov 2005 |
| 6 | The Colonel in the Garden of Allah, 1972 | Painting | $76,500 | Bonhams | Sep 2025 |
| 7 | Things in Vat, 1959 | Painting | $62,500 | Bonhams | Oct 2017 |
| 8 | Zoo, 1957 | Oil on canvas | $52,920 | Sotheby's | Mar 2021 |
| 9 | The Misunderstanding, 1978 | Enamel | $42,000 | Christie's | Sep 2025 |
| 10 | The Dancers #3, 1972, 1938 | Oil and glitter on masonite | $38,000 | Bonhams | Nov 2016 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 19 | $31,325 |
| Works on paper | 23 | $13,750 |
| Other | 7 | $5,100 |
| Prints | 5 | $2,750 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 9 | $62,500 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 36 | $13,860 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 59 results from 13 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Joan Brown is an American artist with 74 auction lots recorded since 2004, median price $14,660. Some sold prices are not yet verified as premium-inclusive or hammer, and are marked on this page.

A work by Joan Brown sold in 2026 for $19,200, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

**2 Joan Brown works are coming to auction** (as of 2026-11-02).

- [Joan Brown on OpeningBid](https://www.openingbid.art/artist/joan-brown?ref=kg:joan-brown) — follow free in the OpeningBid app for sale alerts.

## What is a Joan Brown work worth?

Across 59 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Joan Brown work is $14,660.

The median Joan Brown work on paper sells for $13,750 across 22 lots.

The median Joan Brown painting sells for $33,020 across 19 lots.

The median Joan Brown print sells for $2,750 across 5 lots.

Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

## Price breakdown by category

| Category | Lots tracked | Median price | Record price | Sell-through | Last sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prints & Editions | 5 | $2,750 | $8,255 | — | 2025-02-25 |
| Paintings | 20 | $33,020‡ | $596,900 | 95% | 2025-11-19 |
| Works on Paper | 26 | $13,750 | $32,760 | 84.6% | 2026-09-17 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2 | $9,562 | $14,025 | — | 2025-03-12 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 3 | $575,513 | $596,900 | — | 2025-11-19 |

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

Joan Brown's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (5 lots) median $2,750. Paintings (20 lots) median $33,020, record $596,900. A typical Joan Brown painting sells for around 12× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 3 lots) the median is $575,513.

## Price by size

### Prints & Editions

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 5 | $2,000–$7,500 | $2,750 | $8,255 |

### Paintings

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 7 | $16,540–$55,510 | $31,325 | $118,750 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 9 | $42,000–$87,500 | $62,500 | $596,900 |

### Works on Paper

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 19 | $7,312–$16,470 | $13,750 | $32,760 |

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

## Notable results

| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 2025 | $596,900 |
| Paintings | 2023 | $575,513 |
| Works on Paper | 2023 | $32,760 |
| Works on Paper | 2024 | $32,000 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2021 | $14,025 |
| Prints & Editions | 2025 | $8,255 |
| Prints & Editions | 2024 | $7,500 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2025 | $5,100 |

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 Joan Brown worth?

Across 59 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Joan Brown work is $14,660. The median Joan Brown work on paper sells for $13,750 across 22 lots. The median Joan Brown painting sells for $33,020 across 19 lots. The median Joan Brown print sells for $2,750 across 5 lots. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is the average price of a Joan Brown work on paper?

Based on 22 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Joan Brown work on paper is $13,750.

### What is Joan Brown's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Joan Brown work on paper is $32,760.

### What is the average price of a Joan Brown painting?

Based on 19 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Joan Brown painting is $33,020. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is Joan Brown's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Joan Brown painting is $596,900.

### What is the average price of a medium Joan Brown work on paper?

Based on 19 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Joan Brown work on paper (medium (50–120 cm)) is $13,750, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

### What is Joan Brown's auction record?

Joan Brown's auction record is $596,900, 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, “Joan Brown auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/joan-brown (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.