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

# John McLaughlin (1898–1976)

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

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 86 auction results for John McLaughlin at 10 houses since 1998. Over the last 24 months the median price was $72,750 including buyer’s premium (middle half $61,720–$87,313, n=10). The auction record is $275,000 for Untitled (oil on canvas) (2018, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Untitled (oil on canvas), 1955 | Oil paint | $275,000 | Christie's | May 2018 |
| 2 | Untitled (oil on canvas), 1955 | Painting | $250,000 | Los Angeles Modern Auctions | Oct 2016 |
| 3 | Untitled, 1969 | Oil on canvas | $233,821 | Sotheby's | Apr 2022 |
| 4 | #11-1962, 1962 | Pencil | $212,500 | Los Angeles Modern Auctions | Feb 2014 |
| 5 | Untitled (oil on canvas), 1970 | Oil paint | $197,000 | Phillips | May 2014 |
| 6 | Untitled (oil on canvas), 1955 | Oil on canvas | $189,000 | Sotheby's | Oct 2022 |
| 7 | Untitled, 1898 | Painting | $187,575 | Bonhams | Jul 2020 |
| 8 | #20-1958, 1958 | Oil paint | $187,500 | Christie's | Sep 2019 |
| 9 | #3-1963, 1963 | Oil paint | $176,400 | Christie's | Mar 2023 |
| 10 | Untitled (acrylic on canvas), 1975 | Acrylic on canvas | $176,400 | Sotheby's | Jun 2022 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 47 | $87,500 |
| Prints | 28 | $6,588 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 33 | $88,900 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 35 | $10,710 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 11 | $9,750 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 86 results from 10 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


John McLaughlin is an American artist with 99 auction lots recorded since 1998, median price $36,250. Some sold prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium; they are marked on this page.

A work by John McLaughlin sold in 2026 for $51,200, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

**1 John McLaughlin work is coming to auction** (as of 2026-11-02).

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

## What is a John McLaughlin work worth?

Across 86 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a John McLaughlin work is $36,250.

The median John McLaughlin painting sells for $76,200 across 51 lots.

The median John McLaughlin print sells for $6,588 across 26 lots.

The median John McLaughlin work on paper sells for $113,750 across 2 lots.

Large (over 120 cm) John McLaughlin paintings typically sell for $50,000–$146,050 (the middle half of 33 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 | 31 | $6,588† | $21,250 | 83.9% | 2024-10-16 |
| Paintings | 56 | $76,200† | $275,000 | 91.1% | 2026-10-01 |
| Works on Paper | 4 | $113,750 | $212,500 | 50% | 2016-10-09 |
| Photography | 1 | $30,480 | $30,480 | — | 2024-03-04 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 21 | $175,000 | $275,000 | — | 2024-05-15 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

John McLaughlin's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (31 lots) median $6,588 with 83.9% sell-through. Paintings (56 lots) median $76,200, record $275,000. A typical John McLaughlin painting sells for around 12× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 21 lots) the median is $175,000.

## Price by size

### Prints & Editions

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 8 | $6,038–$9,832† | $7,188† | $20,000 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 17 | $3,780–$7,560 | $5,737 | $21,250 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

### Paintings

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium (50–120 cm) | 15 | $40,625–$125,000 | $87,500 | $275,000 |
| large (over 120 cm) | 33 | $50,000–$146,050† | $76,200† | $250,000 |

† 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 2018 | $275,000 |
| Paintings | 2016 | $250,000 |
| Works on Paper | 2014 | $212,500 |
| Photography | 2024 | $30,480 |
| Prints & Editions | 2018 | $21,250 |
| Prints & Editions | 2019 | $20,000 |
| Works on Paper | 2016 | $15,000 |

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 McLaughlin worth?

Across 86 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a John McLaughlin work is $36,250. The median John McLaughlin painting sells for $76,200 across 51 lots. The median John McLaughlin print sells for $6,588 across 26 lots. The median John McLaughlin work on paper sells for $113,750 across 2 lots. Large (over 120 cm) John McLaughlin paintings typically sell for $50,000–$146,050 (the middle half of 33 sold lots). Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

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

Based on 51 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a John McLaughlin painting is $76,200. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

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

The highest price recorded at auction for a John McLaughlin painting is $275,000.

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

Based on 26 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a John McLaughlin print is $6,588. Some prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium.

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

The highest price recorded at auction for a John McLaughlin print is $21,250.

### What is the average price of a large John McLaughlin painting?

Based on 33 sold lots, the median auction price of a large John McLaughlin painting (large (over 120 cm)) is $76,200, 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 McLaughlin print?

Based on 17 sold lots, the median auction price of a medium John McLaughlin print (medium (50–120 cm)) is $5,737, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

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

John McLaughlin's auction record is $275,000, set in 2018.

---

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 McLaughlin auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/john-mclaughlin (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.