Joel Shapiro (1941–2025)
What is Joel Shapiro’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 292 auction results for Joel Shapiro at 29 houses since 1998. Over the last 24 months the median price was $8,890 including buyer’s premium (middle half $792–$65,087, n=41). The auction record is $672,500 for Untitled (epoxy auto paint on aluminum) (2018, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Untitled (epoxy auto paint on aluminum), 2001 | Epoxy auto paint on aluminum | $672,500 | Christie's | May 2018 |
| 2 | Untitled (bronze), 1988-1989 | Bronze | $660,400 | Christie's | Nov 2025 |
| 3 | Standing Figure, 1986 | Bronze | $625,000 | Sotheby's | May 2021 |
| 4 | Untitled (JS-819-SC) | Silicon bronze plate | $623,400 | Sotheby's | Nov 2007 |
| 5 | Untitled (bronze sculpture), 1986 | Bronze | $504,000 | Christie's | May 2023 |
| 6 | Untitled (painted cast aluminum sculpture), 2002 | Painted cast aluminum | $504,000 | Christie's | Nov 2024 |
| 7 | Untitled (bronze sculpture), 2011 | Bronze | $444,500 | Sotheby's | Nov 2025 |
| 8 | Untitled (bronze, in 2 parts), 1991 | Bronze, in 2 parts | $444,500 | Sotheby's | Nov 2023 |
| 9 | Untitled (oil on bronze), 2009 | Bronze | $406,400 | Phillips | May 2023 |
| 10 | Untitled (Standing Man), 1980 | Bronze | $403,200 | Sotheby's | Nov 2021 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Sculpture | 104 | $81,250 |
| Paintings | 5 | $47,880 |
| Works on paper | 52 | $10,080 |
| Other | 15 | $8,084 |
| Prints | 89 | $1,188 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 58 | $106,675 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 57 | $21,590 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 136 | $2,020 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 292 results from 29 houses · How we compute these figures
Joel Shapiro is an American artist with 378 auction lots recorded since 1998, median price $9,375. 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 Shapiro sold in 2026 for $65,087, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
4 Joel Shapiro works are coming to auction (as of 2026-11-02). Follow Joel Shapiro free on OpeningBid for sale alerts.
See the full Joel Shapiro record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Joel Shapiro on OpeningBid →What is a Joel Shapiro work worth?
Across 290 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Joel Shapiro work is $9,375.
The median Joel Shapiro print sells for $1,032 across 110 lots.
The median Joel Shapiro sculpture sells for $79,750 across 99 lots.
The median Joel Shapiro work on paper sells for $10,000 across 56 lots.
Medium (50–120 cm) Joel Shapiro prints typically sell for $637–$1,530 (the middle half of 85 sold lots).
Large (over 120 cm) Joel Shapiro sculptures typically sell for $100,400–$348,000 (the middle half of 39 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 | 144 | $1,032†‡ | $9,375 | 76.4% | 2026-09-17 |
| Paintings | 9 | $74,340 | $107,100 | 77.8% | 2025-02-27 |
| Works on Paper | 64 | $10,000‡ | $45,000 | 87.5% | 2026-02-24 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 104 | $79,750 | $672,500 | 95.2% | 2026-06-19 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 46 | $216,700 | $672,500 | — | 2025-12-10 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Joel Shapiro's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (144 lots) median $1,032 with 76.4% sell-through. Paintings (9 lots) median $74,340, record $107,100. A typical Joel Shapiro painting sells for around 72× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 46 lots) the median is $216,700.
Price by size
Prints & Editions
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 11 | $622–$1,089‡ | $819‡ | $1,651 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 85 | $637–$1,530†‡ | $1,063†‡ | $9,375 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 11 | $1,210–$1,827‡ | $1,250‡ | $3,250 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included. ‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Works on Paper
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 7 | $4,688–$9,445 | $8,084 | $12,500 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 35 | $7,188–$16,250‡ | $9,375‡ | $38,400 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 8 | $19,098–$35,062 | $23,315 | $45,000 |
‡ reported price — whether it includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.
Sculpture & Installation
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 37 | $21,590–$52,920 | $43,519 | $95,250 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 22 | $54,904–$92,365 | $75,600 | $182,500 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 39 | $100,400–$348,000 | $217,500 | $672,500 |
Size is the work's longest edge. Cells appear only with at least 5 sold lots.
Notable results
| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Sculpture & Installation | 2018 | $672,500 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2025 | $660,400 |
| Paintings | 2022 | $107,100 |
| Paintings | 2013 | $104,221 |
| Works on Paper | 2017 | $45,000 |
| Works on Paper | 2006 | $38,400 |
| Prints & Editions | 2020 | $9,375 |
| Prints & Editions | 2021 | $5,737 |
The highest recorded result in each medium. See the full sale history on OpeningBid.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Joel Shapiro worth?
Across 290 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Joel Shapiro work is $9,375. The median Joel Shapiro print sells for $1,032 across 110 lots. The median Joel Shapiro sculpture sells for $79,750 across 99 lots. The median Joel Shapiro work on paper sells for $10,000 across 56 lots. Medium (50–120 cm) Joel Shapiro prints typically sell for $637–$1,530 (the middle half of 85 sold lots). Large (over 120 cm) Joel Shapiro sculptures typically sell for $100,400–$348,000 (the middle half of 39 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 Shapiro print?
Based on 110 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Joel Shapiro print is $1,032. 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 Shapiro's most expensive print?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Joel Shapiro print is $9,375.
What is the average price of a Joel Shapiro sculpture?
Based on 99 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Joel Shapiro sculpture is $79,750.
What is Joel Shapiro's most expensive sculpture?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Joel Shapiro sculpture is $672,500.
What is the average price of a Joel Shapiro work on paper?
Based on 56 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Joel Shapiro work on paper is $10,000. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).
What is Joel Shapiro's most expensive work on paper?
The highest price recorded at auction for a Joel Shapiro work on paper is $45,000.
What is the average price of a medium Joel Shapiro print?
Based on 85 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium Joel Shapiro print (medium (50–120 cm)) is $1,063, 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 large Joel Shapiro sculpture?
Based on 39 sold lots, the median auction price of a large Joel Shapiro sculpture (large (over 120 cm)) is $217,500, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
What is Joel Shapiro's auction record?
Joel Shapiro's auction record is $672,500, set in 2018.
See the full Joel Shapiro record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View Joel Shapiro on OpeningBid →