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

# Joan Nelson (b. 1958)

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

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.

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

| # | 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 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Other | 10 | $7,560 |
| Paintings | 7 | $3,354 |
| Prints | 11 | $1,935 |
| Works on paper | 6 | $457 |

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

| 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](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


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.

## 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. The full sale history is in the OpeningBid app (free sign-up).

## 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.

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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 Nelson auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/joan-nelson (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.