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

# John Currin (b. 1962)

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

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 141 auction results for John Currin at 12 houses since 1999. Over the last 24 months the median price was $17,058 including buyer’s premium (middle half $6,019–$88,600, n=16). The auction record is $12,007,500 for Nice 'n Easy (2016, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nice 'n Easy, 1999 | Oil paint | $12,007,500 | Christie's | Nov 2016 |
| 2 | Nice 'n Easy, 1999 | Oil paint | $6,500,000 | Christie's | Nov 2023 |
| 3 | Nice 'N Easy | Oil on canvas | $5,458,500 | Sotheby's | Nov 2008 |
| 4 | Amanda, 2003 | Oil paint | $3,525,000 | Phillips | Nov 2013 |
| 5 | Jaunty & Mame, 1997 | Oil paint | $3,075,000 | Christie's | May 2025 |
| 6 | Maid of Honor, 1995 | Oil paint | $2,882,500 | Christie's | May 2012 |
| 7 | Gezellig, 2006 | Oil paint | $2,602,500 | Christie's | Nov 2012 |
| 8 | Daughter and Mother, 1997 | Oil paint | $2,349,255 | Christie's | Jun 2013 |
| 9 | Bea Arthur Naked, 1991 | Oil paint | $1,915,750 | Christie's | May 2013 |
| 10 | Reunion, 2008 | Oil paint | $1,805,000 | Christie's | May 2014 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 51 | $399,500 |
| Works on paper | 49 | $20,160 |
| Other | 10 | $14,688 |
| Prints | 26 | $2,585 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 35 | $399,500 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 87 | $15,360 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 141 results from 12 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


John Currin is an American artist with 179 auction lots recorded since 1999, median price $28,800. Some sold prices are not yet verified as premium-inclusive or hammer, and are marked on this page.

A work by John Currin sold in 2025 for $1,270,000, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

**3 John Currin works are coming to auction** (as of 2026-11-02).

- [John Currin on OpeningBid](https://www.openingbid.art/artist/john-currin?ref=kg:john-currin) — follow free in the OpeningBid app for sale alerts.

## What is a John Currin work worth?

Across 141 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a John Currin work is $28,800.

The median John Currin work on paper sells for $20,160 across 49 lots.

The median John Currin painting sells for $399,500 across 50 lots.

The median John Currin print sells for $1,625 across 32 lots.

Small (under 50 cm) John Currin work on papers typically sell for $11,136–$31,625 (the middle half of 48 sold lots).

Medium (50–120 cm) John Currin paintings typically sell for $189,000–$1,505,000 (the middle half of 33 sold lots).

Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

## Price breakdown by category

| Category | Lots tracked | Median price | Record price | Sell-through | Last sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prints & Editions | 38 | $1,625‡ | $50,400 | 84.2% | 2026-07-28 |
| Paintings | 52 | $399,500 | $12M | 96.2% | 2025-11-19 |
| Works on Paper | 66 | $20,160 | $96,100 | 74.2% | 2026-09-21 |
| Photography | 1 | $693 | $693 | — | 2024-04-18 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 46 | $473,963 | $12M | — | 2025-11-19 |

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

John Currin's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (38 lots) median $1,625 with 84.2% sell-through. Paintings (52 lots) median $399,500, record $12,007,500. A typical John Currin painting sells for around 246× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 46 lots) the median is $473,963.

## Price by size

### Prints & Editions

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 28 | $1,214–$7,385‡ | $2,167‡ | $50,400 |

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

### Paintings

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 10 | $137,500–$330,680 | $226,800 | $1.8M |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 33 | $189,000–$1.5M | $431,800 | $12M |

### Works on Paper

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 48 | $11,136–$31,625 | $20,160 | $96,100 |

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

## Notable results

| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 2016 | $12M |
| Paintings | 2023 | $6.5M |
| Works on Paper | 2012 | $96,100 |
| Works on Paper | 2014 | $75,075 |
| Prints & Editions | 2025 | $50,400 |
| Prints & Editions | 2013 | $35,000 |
| Photography | 2024 | $693 |

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 Currin worth?

Across 141 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a John Currin work is $28,800. The median John Currin work on paper sells for $20,160 across 49 lots. The median John Currin painting sells for $399,500 across 50 lots. The median John Currin print sells for $1,625 across 32 lots. Small (under 50 cm) John Currin work on papers typically sell for $11,136–$31,625 (the middle half of 48 sold lots). Medium (50–120 cm) John Currin paintings typically sell for $189,000–$1,505,000 (the middle half of 33 sold lots). Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is the average price of a John Currin work on paper?

Based on 49 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a John Currin work on paper is $20,160.

### What is John Currin's most expensive work on paper?

The highest price recorded at auction for a John Currin work on paper is $96,100.

### What is the average price of a John Currin painting?

Based on 50 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a John Currin painting is $399,500.

### What is John Currin's most expensive painting?

The highest price recorded at auction for a John Currin painting is $12,007,500.

### What is the average price of a John Currin print?

Based on 32 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a John Currin print is $1,625. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

### What is John Currin's most expensive print?

The highest price recorded at auction for a John Currin print is $50,400.

### What is the average price of a small John Currin work on paper?

Based on 48 sold lots, the median auction price of a small John Currin work on paper (small (under 50 cm)) is $20,160, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

### What is the average price of a medium John Currin painting?

Based on 33 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium John Currin painting (medium (50–120 cm)) is $431,800, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

### What is John Currin's auction record?

John Currin's auction record is $12,007,500, set in 2016.

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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 Currin auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/john-currin (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.