> Source: https://www.openingbid.art/artist/joel-peter-witkin-2 · updated 2026-11-02

# Joel-peter Witkin (b. 1939)

## What is Joel-peter Witkin’s work worth? {#value}

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 159 auction results for Joel-peter Witkin at 32 houses since 1994. Over the last 24 months the median price was $2,168 including buyer’s premium (middle half $1,678–$2,847, n=15). The auction record is $40,800 for 'PRINTEMPS, NEW MEXICO' (2007, Sotheby's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 'PRINTEMPS, NEW MEXICO' | — | $40,800 | Sotheby's | Apr 2007 |
| 2 | Le Baiser, New Mexico, 1939 | Gelatin silver print | $30,240 | Christie's | Oct 2007 |
| 3 | Harvest, Philadelphia, 1984 | Cartes-de-visite | $26,250 | Phillips | Apr 2014 |
| 4 | Counting Lesson in Purgatory, New Mexico, 1982 | Cartes-de-visite | $21,250 | Phillips | Oct 2014 |
| 5 | Studio de Winter, Paris, 1994 | Silver print with touches of colouring | $15,741 | Sotheby's | Nov 2009 |
| 6 | 'DAPHNE AND APOLLO, LOS ANGELES' | — | $15,600 | Sotheby's | Apr 2007 |
| 7 | 'STUDIO DE WINTER' | — | $15,600 | Sotheby's | Apr 2007 |
| 8 | Studio of the Painter, Courbet, Paris, 1990 | Cartes-de-visite | $15,000 | Phillips | Oct 2013 |
| 9 | 'LA BETE' | — | $14,400 | Sotheby's | Apr 2007 |
| 10 | Face of a Woman, Marseilles | Toned gelatin silver print | $12,500 | Phillips | Apr 2013 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Other | 41 | $4,000 |
| Photographs | 80 | $3,410 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 21 | $5,871 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 69 | $3,370 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 159 results from 32 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


Joel-peter Witkin is an American artist with 257 auction lots recorded since 1994, median price $3,302. 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 2025 for $3,354, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Joel-peter Witkin work worth?

Across 156 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Joel-peter Witkin work is $3,302.

The median Joel-peter Witkin photograph sells for $3,120 across 129 lots.

The median Joel-peter Witkin print sells for $1,101 across 5 lots.

The median Joel-peter Witkin work on paper sells for $1,663 across 2 lots.

Small (under 50 cm) Joel-peter Witkin photographs typically sell for $1,779–$4,634 (the middle half of 76 sold lots).

Medium (50–120 cm) Joel-peter Witkin photographs typically sell for $2,800–$8,565 (the middle half of 33 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 | $1,101‡ | $6,960 | — | 2026-10-15 |
| Works on Paper | 2 | $1,663 | $3,200 | — | 2007-11-15 |
| Photography | 173 | $3,120†‡ | $30,240 | 74.6% | 2026-10-07 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 8 | $18,495 | $40,800 | — | 2014-10-01 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

## Price by size

### Photography

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 76 | $1,779–$4,634†‡ | $3,012†‡ | $30,240 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 33 | $2,800–$8,565†‡ | $5,090†‡ | $15,000 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

‡ 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Photography | 2007 | $30,240 |
| Photography | 2014 | $26,250 |
| Prints & Editions | 2011 | $6,960 |
| Works on Paper | 2007 | $3,200 |
| Prints & Editions | 2026 | $2,794 |
| Works on Paper | 2000 | $126 |

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 Joel-peter Witkin worth?

Across 156 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Joel-peter Witkin work is $3,302. The median Joel-peter Witkin photograph sells for $3,120 across 129 lots. The median Joel-peter Witkin print sells for $1,101 across 5 lots. The median Joel-peter Witkin work on paper sells for $1,663 across 2 lots. Small (under 50 cm) Joel-peter Witkin photographs typically sell for $1,779–$4,634 (the middle half of 76 sold lots). Medium (50–120 cm) Joel-peter Witkin photographs typically sell for $2,800–$8,565 (the middle half of 33 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 129 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Joel-peter Witkin photograph is $3,120. 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 Joel-peter Witkin's most expensive photograph?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Joel-peter Witkin photograph is $30,240.

### What is the average price of a small Joel-peter Witkin photograph?

Based on 76 sold lots, the median auction price of a small Joel-peter Witkin photograph (small (under 50 cm)) is $3,012, 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 Joel-peter Witkin photograph?

Based on 33 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Joel-peter Witkin photograph (medium (50–120 cm)) is $5,090, 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 Joel-peter Witkin's auction record?

Joel-peter Witkin's auction record is $30,240, set in 2007.

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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, “Joel-peter Witkin auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/joel-peter-witkin-2 (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.