Joan Nelson (b. 1958)
What is Joan Nelson’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 37 auction results for Joan Nelson at 11 houses since 1998. Over the last 24 months the median price was $2,540 including buyer’s premium (middle half $1,344–$3,096, n=11). The auction record is $33,020 for Untitled (mixed media) (2022, Sotheby's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Untitled (mixed media), 2022 | Mixed media | $33,020 | Sotheby's | Mar 2022 |
| 2 | Untitled (#91) | — | $31,000 | Sotheby's | May 2008 |
| 3 | Untitled (#196), 1958 | Painting | $18,400 | Christie's | May 1999 |
| 4 | Untitled (#30) | — | $16,875 | Sotheby's | May 2008 |
| 5 | Untitled (#44) | — | $16,250 | Sotheby's | May 2008 |
| 6 | Untitled (oil and wax on hardboard), 1987 | Oil paint | $7,620 | Sotheby's | Dec 2023 |
| 7 | Untitled # 232 | — | $7,500 | Sotheby's | Sep 2007 |
| 8 | The Transformation of Christ, 2005 | Painting | $6,192 | Phillips | Sep 2025 |
| 9 | Untitled (#347) | — | $5,938 | Sotheby's | May 2008 |
| 10 | Untitled No. 341, 1992 | Painting | $4,064 | Phillips | Mar 2023 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Other | 10 | $7,560 |
| Paintings | 7 | $3,354 |
| Prints | 11 | $1,935 |
| Works on paper | 6 | $457 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Small (under 50 cm) | 26 | $1,920 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 37 results from 11 houses · How we compute these figures
Joan Nelson is an American artist with 42 auction lots recorded since 1998, median price $2,250. Some sold prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium; they are marked on this page.
A work by Joan Nelson sold in 2026 for $3,900, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
See the full Joan Nelson record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Joan Nelson on OpeningBid →What is a Joan Nelson work worth?
Across 36 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Joan Nelson work is $2,250.
The median Joan Nelson painting sells for $3,063 across 13 lots.
The median Joan Nelson print sells for $2,051 across 10 lots.
The median Joan Nelson work on paper sells for $409 across 3 lots.
Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.
Price breakdown by category
| Category | Lots tracked | Median price | Record price | Sell-through | Last sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prints & Editions | 11 | $2,051 | $4,000 | 90.9% | 2026-08-14 |
| Paintings | 15 | $3,063† | $35,198 | 86.7% | 2026-05-22 |
| Works on Paper | 3 | $409 | $567 | — | 2019-06-26 |
| Photography | 1 | — | — | 0% | — |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.
Joan Nelson's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (11 lots) median $2,051 with 90.9% sell-through. Paintings (15 lots) median $3,063, record $35,198.
Price by size
Prints & Editions
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 10 | $1,226–$2,468 | $2,051 | $4,000 |
Paintings
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 10 | $715–$3,886† | $1,896† | $7,620 |
† 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 2004 | $35,198 |
| Paintings | 1999 | $18,400 |
| Prints & Editions | 2014 | $4,000 |
| Prints & Editions | 2026 | $2,838 |
| Works on Paper | 2019 | $567 |
| Works on Paper | 2019 | $409 |
The highest recorded result in each medium. See the full sale history on OpeningBid.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Joan Nelson worth?
Across 36 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Joan Nelson work is $2,250. The median Joan Nelson painting sells for $3,063 across 13 lots. The median Joan Nelson print sells for $2,051 across 10 lots. The median Joan Nelson work on paper sells for $409 across 3 lots. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.
What is the average price of a Joan Nelson painting?
Based on 13 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Joan Nelson painting is $3,063. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.
What is Joan Nelson's most expensive painting?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Joan Nelson painting is $35,198.
What is the average price of a Joan Nelson print?
Based on 10 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Joan Nelson print is $2,051.
What is Joan Nelson's most expensive print?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Joan Nelson print is $4,000.
What is the average price of a small Joan Nelson painting?
Based on 10 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Joan Nelson painting (small (under 50 cm)) is $1,896, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.
What is the average price of a small Joan Nelson print?
Based on 10 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Joan Nelson print (small (under 50 cm)) is $2,051, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
What is Joan Nelson's auction record?
Joan Nelson's auction record is $35,198, set in 2004.
See the full Joan Nelson record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Joan Nelson on OpeningBid →