> 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 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.

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

| # | 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 |

**Top auction records: prints & editions**

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Feast of Fools, Mexico City, 1939 | Gelatin silver print | $9,562 | Bonhams | Apr 2022 |

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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Photographs | 98 | $3,088 |
| Other | 5 | $2,700 |

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

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


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.

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

## 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.

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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.