Joel Peter Witkin (b. 1939)
What is Joel Peter Witkin’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 109 auction results for Joel Peter Witkin at 14 houses since 2006. Over the last 24 months the median price was $1,834 including buyer’s premium (middle half $1,524–$3,153, n=9). The auction record is $16,250 for Woman Masturbating on the Moon (2008, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Woman Masturbating on the Moon, 1939 | Cartes-de-visite | $16,250 | Christie's | Feb 2008 |
| 2 | Le Baiser (The Kiss), 1982 | Cartes-de-visite | $15,120 | Wright | Jan 2023 |
| 3 | Woman Masturbating on the Moon, 1981 | Cartes-de-visite | $10,625 | Wright | Apr 2010 |
| 4 | Melvin Burkhart: Human Oddity, Florida, 1985, 1939 | Gelatin silver print | $10,370 | Bonhams | Nov 2009 |
| 5 | Sanitarium, New Mexico, 1939 | Cartes-de-visite | $10,200 | Christie's | Feb 2006 |
| 6 | Head of a Dead Man, Mexico City, 1939 | Cartes-de-visite | $10,000 | Christie's | Feb 2008 |
| 7 | The Fool, Budapest, 1993, 1939 | Gelatin silver print | $9,150 | Bonhams | May 2010 |
| 8 | The Graces, Los Angeles, 1988, 1939 | Gelatin silver print | $9,150 | Bonhams | May 2010 |
| 9 | Journies of the Mask: The History of Commercial Photography in Juarez, New York City, 1984, 1939 | Gelatin silver print | $8,750 | Bonhams | Oct 2014 |
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Feast of Fools, Mexico City, 1939 | Gelatin silver print | $9,562 | Bonhams | Apr 2022 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Photographs | 98 | $3,088 |
| Other | 5 | $2,700 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 32 | $4,428 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 71 | $2,676 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 109 results from 14 houses · How we compute these figures
Joel Peter Witkin is an American artist with 145 auction lots recorded since 2006, median price $3,050. 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 Joel Peter Witkin sold in 2026 for $3,153, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
See the full Joel Peter Witkin record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Joel Peter Witkin on OpeningBid →What is a Joel Peter Witkin work worth?
Across 109 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Joel Peter Witkin work is $3,050.
The median Joel Peter Witkin photograph sells for $3,088 across 100 lots.
The median Joel Peter Witkin print sells for $838 across 3 lots.
The median Joel Peter Witkin work on paper sells for $5,250 across 1 lots.
Small (under 50 cm) Joel Peter Witkin photographs typically sell for $1,886–$4,484 (the middle half of 68 sold lots).
Medium (50–120 cm) Joel Peter Witkin photographs typically sell for $2,913–$6,644 (the middle half of 30 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 | 5 | $838 | $2,700 | 60% | 2023-12-01 |
| Works on Paper | 2 | $5,250 | $5,250 | 50% | 2013-10-29 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 1 | $4,800 | $4,800 | — | 2006-02-14 |
| Photography | 126 | $3,088† | $16,250 | 79.4% | 2026-04-01 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 6 | $10,498 | $16,250 | — | 2023-01-25 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.
Price by size
Photography
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 68 | $1,886–$4,484† | $2,710† | $16,250 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 30 | $2,913–$6,644 | $4,636 | $10,625 |
† 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Photography | 2008 | $16,250 |
| Photography | 2023 | $15,120 |
| Works on Paper | 2013 | $5,250 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2006 | $4,800 |
| Prints & Editions | 2008 | $2,700 |
| Prints & Editions | 2023 | $838 |
The highest recorded result in each medium. See the full sale history on OpeningBid.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Joel Peter Witkin worth?
Across 109 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Joel Peter Witkin work is $3,050. The median Joel Peter Witkin photograph sells for $3,088 across 100 lots. The median Joel Peter Witkin print sells for $838 across 3 lots. The median Joel Peter Witkin work on paper sells for $5,250 across 1 lots. Small (under 50 cm) Joel Peter Witkin photographs typically sell for $1,886–$4,484 (the middle half of 68 sold lots). Medium (50–120 cm) Joel Peter Witkin photographs typically sell for $2,913–$6,644 (the middle half of 30 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 Joel Peter Witkin photograph?
Based on 100 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Joel Peter Witkin photograph is $3,088. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.
What is Joel Peter Witkin's most expensive photograph?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Joel Peter Witkin photograph is $16,250.
What is the average price of a small Joel Peter Witkin photograph?
Based on 68 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Joel Peter Witkin photograph (small (under 50 cm)) is $2,710, 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 medium Joel Peter Witkin photograph?
Based on 30 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Joel Peter Witkin photograph (medium (50–120 cm)) is $4,636, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
What is Joel Peter Witkin's auction record?
Joel Peter Witkin's auction record is $16,250, set in 2008.
See the full Joel Peter Witkin record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Joel Peter Witkin on OpeningBid →