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

# John Ruskin (1819–1900)

John Ruskin is a British artist with 53 auction lots recorded since 1993, median price $713. Some sold prices are hammer-only and exclude the buyer's premium; they are marked on this page. Some sold prices are not yet verified as premium-inclusive or hammer, and are marked on this page.

A work by John Ruskin sold in 2026 for $1,372, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a John Ruskin work worth?

Across 33 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a John Ruskin work is $713.

The median John Ruskin print sells for $349 across 8 lots.

The median John Ruskin work on paper sells for $8,299 across 13 lots.

The median John Ruskin photograph sells for $2,116 across 3 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 | 19 | $349†‡ | $882‡ | 42.1% | 2025-02-12 |
| Paintings | 1 | $1,485 | $1,485 | — | 2009-03-18 |
| Works on Paper | 15 | $8,299‡ | $466,637 | 86.7% | 2024-12-19 |
| Photography | 5 | $2,116 | $3,600 | 60% | 2002-04-15 |

† hammer price — buyer's premium not included.

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

John Ruskin's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (19 lots) median $349 with 42.1% sell-through. Paintings (1 lots) median $1,485, record $1,485. A typical John Ruskin painting sells for around 4.3× the price of a typical print.

## Price by size

### Works on Paper

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 12 | $3,619–$16,488‡ | $7,808‡ | $131,721 |

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

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

## Notable results

| Medium | Year | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Works on Paper | 2003 | $466,637 |
| Works on Paper | 2004 | $131,721 |
| Photography | 2002 | $3,600 |
| Paintings | 2009 | $1,485 |
| Prints & Editions | 2025 | $882‡ |
| Prints & Editions | 2024 | $759‡ |
| Photography | 2000 | $632 |

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

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 Ruskin worth?

Across 33 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a John Ruskin work is $713. The median John Ruskin print sells for $349 across 8 lots. The median John Ruskin work on paper sells for $8,299 across 13 lots. The median John Ruskin photograph sells for $2,116 across 3 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 John Ruskin print?

Based on 8 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a John Ruskin print is $349. 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 John Ruskin's most expensive print?

The highest price recorded at auction for a John Ruskin print is $882. Whether that record price includes the buyer's premium is not yet verified.

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

Based on 13 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a John Ruskin work on paper is $8,299. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

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

The highest price recorded at auction for a John Ruskin work on paper is $466,637.

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

Based on 12 sold lots, the median auction price of a small John Ruskin work on paper (small (under 50 cm)) is $7,808, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

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

John Ruskin's auction record is $466,637, set in 2003.

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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 Ruskin auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/john-ruskin (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.