John Behan (b. 1938)
What is John Behan’s work worth?
As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 177 auction results for John Behan at 8 houses since 1998. Over the last 24 months the median price was $4,609 including buyer’s premium (middle half $2,616–$7,758, n=16). The auction record is $26,082 for Famine Ship (2019, James Adam Salesrooms). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.
| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Famine Ship, 2007 | Bronze | $26,082 | James Adam Salesrooms | Sep 2019 |
| 2 | Bantry Famine Ship IV, 2020 | Bronze | $22,834 | Sotheby's | Nov 2019 |
| 3 | Famine Ship | Bronze | $21,460 | James Adam Salesrooms | Dec 2016 |
| 4 | A Flight of Birds | Bronze | $20,561 | James Adam Salesrooms | Nov 2017 |
| 5 | Cú Chulainn, 2002 | Bronze | $17,465 | James Adam Salesrooms | Mar 2017 |
| 6 | Cú Chulainn | Bronze | $17,465 | James Adam Salesrooms | Mar 2017 |
| 7 | Wild Swans at Coole, 2016 | Bronze | $17,365 | James Adam Salesrooms | Nov 2025 |
| 8 | Wild Swans at Coole, 2016 | Bronze | $17,200 | James Adam Salesrooms | Nov 2025 |
| 9 | Birds in Flight | Bronze | $15,122 | James Adam Salesrooms | Dec 2011 |
| 10 | FAMINE SHIP, 2021 | Bronze | $15,050 | deVeres Art Auctions | Jun 2023 |
| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Sculpture | 144 | $4,404 |
| Works on paper | 7 | $746 |
| Prints | 9 | $396 |
| Other | 7 | $378 |
| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 70 | $5,709 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 88 | $2,657 |
Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 177 results from 8 houses · How we compute these figures
John Behan is an Irish artist with 243 auction lots recorded since 1998, median price $3,595. Some sold prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium; they are marked on this page.
A work by John Behan sold in 2026 for a hammer price of $10,613 (buyer's premium not included), according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.
See the full John Behan record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View John Behan on OpeningBid →What is a John Behan work worth?
Across 176 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a John Behan work is $3,595.
The median John Behan sculpture sells for $4,308 across 146 lots.
The median John Behan print sells for $396 across 11 lots.
The median John Behan work on paper sells for $746 across 7 lots.
Small (under 50 cm) John Behan sculptures typically sell for $1,836–$4,631 (the middle half of 77 sold lots).
Medium (50–120 cm) John Behan sculptures typically sell for $3,069–$8,011 (the middle half of 66 sold lots).
Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.
Price breakdown by category
| Category | Lots tracked | Median price | Record price | Sell-through | Last sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prints & Editions | 16 | $396 | $550 | 68.8% | 2019-03-26 |
| Paintings | 2 | $2,674 | $2,674 | 50% | 2019-03-27 |
| Works on Paper | 11 | $746 | $7,167 | 63.6% | 2024-05-28 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 196 | $4,308† | $26,082 | 74.5% | 2026-05-26 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 9 | $17,465 | $26,082 | — | 2025-11-26 |
† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.
John Behan's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (16 lots) median $396 with 68.8% sell-through. Paintings (2 lots) median $2,674, record $2,674. A typical John Behan painting sells for around 6.8× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 9 lots) the median is $17,465.
Price by size
Prints & Editions
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 7 | $377–$520 | $446 | $550 |
Sculpture & Installation
| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 77 | $1,836–$4,631† | $2,882† | $11,424 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 66 | $3,069–$8,011† | $5,691† | $26,082 |
† 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Sculpture & Installation | 2019 | $26,082 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2019 | $22,834 |
| Works on Paper | 2024 | $7,167 |
| Works on Paper | 2007 | $5,685 |
| Paintings | 2019 | $2,674 |
| Prints & Editions | 2007 | $550 |
| Prints & Editions | 2007 | $536 |
The highest recorded result in each medium. See the full sale history on OpeningBid.
Frequently asked questions
What is a John Behan worth?
Across 176 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a John Behan work is $3,595. The median John Behan sculpture sells for $4,308 across 146 lots. The median John Behan print sells for $396 across 11 lots. The median John Behan work on paper sells for $746 across 7 lots. Small (under 50 cm) John Behan sculptures typically sell for $1,836–$4,631 (the middle half of 77 sold lots). Medium (50–120 cm) John Behan sculptures typically sell for $3,069–$8,011 (the middle half of 66 sold lots). Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.
What is the average price of a John Behan sculpture?
Based on 146 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a John Behan sculpture is $4,308. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.
What is John Behan's most expensive sculpture?
The highest price recorded at auction for a John Behan sculpture is $26,082.
What is the average price of a John Behan print?
Based on 11 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a John Behan print is $396.
What is John Behan's most expensive print?
The highest price recorded at auction for a John Behan print is $550.
What is the average price of a John Behan work on paper?
Based on 7 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a John Behan work on paper is $746.
What is John Behan's most expensive work on paper?
The highest price recorded at auction for a John Behan work on paper is $7,167.
What is the average price of a small John Behan sculpture?
Based on 77 sold lots, the median auction price of a small John Behan sculpture (small (under 50 cm)) is $2,882, 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 John Behan sculpture?
Based on 66 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium John Behan sculpture (medium (50–120 cm)) is $5,691, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.
What is John Behan's auction record?
John Behan's auction record is $26,082, set in 2019.
See the full John Behan record on OpeningBid — images, provenance, fair estimates and free sale alerts.
View John Behan on OpeningBid →