> Source: https://www.openingbid.art/artist/joel-shapiro · updated 2026-11-01

# Joel Shapiro (b. 1941)

Joel Shapiro is an American artist with 34 auction lots recorded since 1998, median price $23,422.

A work by Joel Shapiro sold in 2020 for $250,000, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a Joel Shapiro work worth?

Across 29 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Joel Shapiro work is $23,422.

The median Joel Shapiro sculpture sells for $153,991 across 12 lots.

The median Joel Shapiro print sells for $1,054 across 8 lots.

The median Joel Shapiro work on paper sells for $19,136 across 7 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 | 8 | $1,054‡ | $3,713 | — | 2025-12-30 |
| Works on Paper | 7 | $19,136 | $101,394 | — | 2020-03-10 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 15 | $153,991 | $666,120 | 80% | 2020-06-30 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 8 | $206,972 | $666,120 | — | 2020-06-30 |

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

## Price by size

### Works on Paper

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 5 | $11,993–$23,422 | $14,850 | $30,295 |

### Sculpture & Installation

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| large (over 120 cm) | 5 | $250,000–$425,507 | $310,384 | $666,120 |

Size is the work's longest edge. Cells appear only with at least 5 sold lots.

## Notable results

| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Sculpture & Installation | 2016 | $666,120 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2011 | $425,507 |
| Works on Paper | 2007 | $101,394 |
| Works on Paper | 2001 | $30,295 |
| Prints & Editions | 1999 | $3,713 |
| Prints & Editions | 2005 | $2,333 |

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 Shapiro worth?

Across 29 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a Joel Shapiro work is $23,422. The median Joel Shapiro sculpture sells for $153,991 across 12 lots. The median Joel Shapiro print sells for $1,054 across 8 lots. The median Joel Shapiro work on paper sells for $19,136 across 7 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 sculpture?

Based on 12 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a Joel Shapiro sculpture is $153,991.

### What is Joel Shapiro's most expensive sculpture?

The highest price recorded at auction for a Joel Shapiro sculpture is $666,120.

### What is Joel Shapiro's auction record?

Joel Shapiro's auction record is $666,120, set in 2016.

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Data last updated 2026-11-01. OpeningBid tracks 15,222,099 auction lots from 571 auction houses, refreshed nightly.

Cite this page as: OpeningBid, “Joel Shapiro auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/joel-shapiro (updated 2026-11-01).

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.