> Source: https://www.openingbid.art/artist/john-behan-2 · updated 2026-11-02

# John Behan (b. 1938)

## What is John Behan’s work worth? {#value}

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.

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

| # | 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 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Sculpture | 144 | $4,404 |
| Works on paper | 7 | $746 |
| Prints | 9 | $396 |
| Other | 7 | $378 |

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

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


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.

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

## 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.

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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, “John Behan auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/john-behan-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.