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

# John Wells (1907–2000)

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

As of 2 November 2026, OpeningBid has recorded 115 auction results for John Wells at 16 houses since 1998. Over the last 24 months the median price was $1,084 including buyer’s premium (middle half $878–$1,549, n=23). The auction record is $79,051 for Blue Oval (2018, Christie's). Source: OpeningBid, an independent auction-results database.

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

| # | Work | Medium | Price | House | Sold |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Blue Oval, 1907 | Oil paint | $79,051 | Christie's | Jun 2018 |
| 2 | Composition 1953-55 | — | $77,282 | Sotheby's | Jul 2008 |
| 3 | Composition Variations No. 2, 1907 | Oil paint | $55,994 | Christie's | Jun 2018 |
| 4 | rock forms | — | $45,223 | Sotheby's | Jul 2008 |
| 5 | Untitled 1948, 1948 | Oil paint | $44,869 | Christie's | Oct 2021 |
| 6 | Crystal from the Earth, 1907 | Pencil | $43,586 | Bonhams | Jun 2022 |
| 7 | JOHN WELLS | 1966-1972-1988, 1966 | Oil on board in the Artist's painted wooden frame | $32,523 | Sotheby's | Jul 2020 |
| 8 | Involute No. 6, 1907 | Oil paint | $29,487 | Christie's | Jun 2015 |
| 9 | courante | Oil on board | $28,803 | Sotheby's | May 2010 |
| 10 | Painting, 1947 | Painting | $27,832 | Christie's | Mar 2021 |


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

| Medium | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 39 | $18,750 |
| Other | 18 | $4,435 |
| Works on paper | 23 | $2,098 |
| Prints | 22 | $921 |

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

| Size | Sales | Median |
|---|---|---|
| Large (over 120 cm) | 6 | $20,155 |
| Medium (50-120 cm) | 22 | $14,682 |
| Small (under 50 cm) | 65 | $2,098 |

Data as of 2 November 2026 · Source: OpeningBid, 115 results from 16 houses · [How we compute these figures](https://www.openingbid.art/methodology/price-data)


John Wells is a British (modern) artist with 155 auction lots recorded since 1998, median price $4,175. 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 Wells sold in 2026 for $6,882, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results.

## What is a John Wells work worth?

Across 114 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a John Wells work is $4,175.

The median John Wells painting sells for $12,007 across 49 lots.

The median John Wells work on paper sells for $1,787 across 25 lots.

The median John Wells print sells for $964 across 14 lots.

Small (under 50 cm) John Wells paintings typically sell for $4,364–$16,210 (the middle half of 28 sold lots).

Small (under 50 cm) John Wells work on papers typically sell for $1,083–$3,919 (the middle half of 23 sold 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 | 18 | $964 | $2,299 | 77.8% | 2026-10-13 |
| Paintings | 55 | $12,007‡ | $79,051 | 89.1% | 2025-06-03 |
| Works on Paper | 30 | $1,787‡ | $43,586 | 83.3% | 2025-10-30 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2 | $10,519 | $15,702 | — | 2024-07-17 |
| Masterpieces (top of market) | 6 | $50,609 | $79,051 | — | 2022-06-22 |

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

John Wells's market splits by medium. Prints & Editions (18 lots) median $964 with 77.8% sell-through. Paintings (55 lots) median $12,007, record $79,051. A typical John Wells painting sells for around 12× the price of a typical print. At the top of the market (top 5% of sales, 6 lots) the median is $50,609.

## Price by size

### Prints & Editions

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 12 | $615–$1,242 | $988 | $2,299 |

### Paintings

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 28 | $4,364–$16,210‡ | $9,368‡ | $79,051 |
| medium (50–120 cm) | 16 | $10,698–$24,101‡ | $19,448‡ | $55,994 |

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

### Works on Paper

| Size | Sold lots | Typical range (p25–p75) | Median | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| small (under 50 cm) | 23 | $1,083–$3,919‡ | $1,609‡ | $43,586 |

‡ 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Paintings | 2018 | $79,051 |
| Paintings | 2018 | $55,994 |
| Works on Paper | 2022 | $43,586 |
| Works on Paper | 2011 | $26,363 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2022 | $15,702 |
| Sculpture & Installation | 2024 | $5,337 |
| Prints & Editions | 2021 | $2,299 |
| Prints & Editions | 2010 | $1,721 |

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 Wells worth?

Across 114 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median price of a John Wells work is $4,175. The median John Wells painting sells for $12,007 across 49 lots. The median John Wells work on paper sells for $1,787 across 25 lots. The median John Wells print sells for $964 across 14 lots. Small (under 50 cm) John Wells paintings typically sell for $4,364–$16,210 (the middle half of 28 sold lots). Small (under 50 cm) John Wells work on papers typically sell for $1,083–$3,919 (the middle half of 23 sold 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 Wells painting?

Based on 49 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a John Wells painting is $12,007. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

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

The highest price recorded at auction for a John Wells painting is $79,051.

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

Based on 25 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a John Wells work on paper is $1,787. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

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

The highest price recorded at auction for a John Wells work on paper is $43,586.

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

Based on 14 sold lots tracked by OpeningBid, the median auction price of a John Wells print is $964.

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

The highest price recorded at auction for a John Wells print is $2,299.

### What is the average price of a small John Wells painting?

Based on 28 sold lots, the median auction price of a small John Wells painting (small (under 50 cm)) is $9,368, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

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

Based on 23 sold lots, the median auction price of a small John Wells work on paper (small (under 50 cm)) is $1,609, according to OpeningBid's index of auction results. Some prices are not yet basis-verified (premium-inclusive or hammer).

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

John Wells's auction record is $79,051, set in 2018.

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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 Wells auction prices”, https://www.openingbid.art/artist/john-wells (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.